Unit 11: Sports in America

How the Game Is Played

Football Equipment	The Quarterback

The two opposing teams place eleven players on the field at one time. The team having possession of the football is the offense whose object is to advance the ball over the defense's goal line. The ball may be carried by a runner, or it may be thrown forward down the field to another player. The execution of these plays is directed by the quarterback, who is usually stationed directly behind the center of the line of players facing the opponent's goal. The offense must advance at least ten yards in four attempts (called downs) otherwise the defensive team gains possession of the ball and thus becomes the offense. When this happens the players on the field are usually replaced by other team members, because these days there is considerable specialization, or division of labor, one player being a kicker, another a runner, and so on.

If the offense believes it will fail to make the requisite ten yards, it will usually kick the ball on fourth down, so that when the defense takes possession it will be that much farther back from their desired goal. This kick is called a punt.

A team scores 6 points for a touchdown, running or passing the ball over the opponent's goal line. At that stage, the team can earn one additional point by kicking the ball through the goal posts, a Point After Touchdown (PAT). If a team is close enough to the goal posts, and believes it may not be able to score a touchdown, it can attempt to kick the ball through the goal posts. This is called a Field Goal, and is worth 3 points.

Play begins after both teams line up facing each other divided by a line stretching from sideline to sideline and passing through the ball on the field. The ball is handed or tossed by the player in the center of the line to someone in the backfield, usually the quarterback. Some of the defensive players attempt to restrain the player with the ball, which is called a tackle. Other defensive players move away from the line and attempt to prevent a successful pass. The play is over and the timing clock stops, when a goal is scored, the ball goes out of bounds, the ball carrier is tackled, or a pass is not caught. The clock can also stop if a team calls time out.

There are four quarters of playing time lasting 15 minutes for each quarter. At the end of an hour of playing, the team with the most points wins. In college football, there could be a tie, but in professional football, if both teams have the same score, the game will continue for additional 15 minute periods until one team scores, at which point they are the winners.

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