From the Top
After the coin toss determines who will be on offense there is a kick off. The ball is kicked by a place kicker from the defense’s 30-yard line to the offense. An offensive player will attempt to catch the kick and run it toward the offensive end zone (99 out of 100 times this is the direction in which the person holding the ball is running or passing- look on YouTube for the exceptions). Where ever he is tackled will be where the offense begins its series of plays (downs). If the ball is kicked into the end zone, the kick returner can either run the ball out of the end zone or signal the ball down (touchback) and the offense will begin its drive (attempt to score) on the defense’s 20-yard line.
The Offensive Drive
I myself have been subject to some pretty offensive attempts to score, but this is about football. The object of the game is for the offense to move the ball (gain yardage) toward the offensive end zone to score a touch down (six points). All movement is measured in yards gained or lost. The offense is given 40 seconds between each play to begin the next play. If they do not do so, they are penalized for delay of game (usually a loss of yards). Each time the offense takes possession of the ball, it gets four opportunities (downs) to advance the ball 10 yards (or score). If they are successful, they are awarded a first down and they get four more downs. It is the objective of the defense to both stop the offense from scoring and keep the offense from gaining a first down. If the offense is unable to advance the ball 10 yards, they lose possession of the ball. On the fourth down, the options are to "go for it" and attempt to secure the first down by gaining the necessary yardage (this is a risk for one reason- if they do not secure the first down, the defense takes over as offense and likely will have great field position to start their offensive drive), punt or kick a field goal.
The Line of Scrimmage
Each play begins with the QB issuing orders to his team. The line of scrimmage is where the center snaps the ball to the QB who either passes the ball, runs the ball or hands it off. These are the methods of gaining yardage. All passing of the ball must happen behind the line of scrimmage and if the pass is caught by another player it is complete. If the pass is not caught, it is incomplete. If the pass is intercepted by a member of the defense, it is an interception and the possession is turned over (this is called a turn over) to the defense who becomes the offense. The run ends when either the runner scores, is tackled by a member of the defense (one or both knees touch the ground), goes out of bounds or falls.
The Punt
In a fourth down situation, when the offense has failed to obtain a first down, and the yardage is such that "going for it" doesn’t seem an option (too long or if they fail, the field position given to the defense to begin their scoring drive as offense is too advantageous), nor does attempting a field goal, the offense will kick the ball down the field to be received by the defense. By turning over the ball to them, the defense becomes the offense and the offense becomes the defense. The object of the punt, is to kick it as far down the field as possible without it entering the end zone. If it enters the end zone, the same rules apply as in a kick off and a fair catch can be signaled putting the ball on the twenty yard line to begin the offensive drive. Ideally, the ball would not be caught and roll to the one yard line, forcing the offense to start their drive at the furthest possible point.
How to Score in Football
(that's IN football not DURING a football game- and ladies, it's not as easy as you might think)
The Touchdown
Either by run or pass, crossing the goal line into the end zone results in a touch down valued at six points. Immediately following the touch down- the offense either kicks for an extra point(which will or will not result in a point depending on whether it goes through the goal posts), or the QB will attempt to run, pass or hand off the ball to cross the goal line again resulting in two points instead of one (two-point conversion).
The Field Goal
If, after the third down is played and the offense is unable to secure a first down, but they believe they are close enough to kick the ball through the goal posts- they might attempt a field goal resulting in three points. If the field goal is missed, the defense takes over the offense where the last offensive play took place.
The Safety
Two points are awarded the defense if the offensive ball handler is tackled behind their own goal line. This often happens to QBs who are sacked (tackled, ball in hand) after scrambling backward to make a play.
The Turnover
There are two major forms of turnovers (and they are not raspberry and apple). This means that the possession of the ball is turned over to the defense during an offensive scoring drive (this is not out of the kindness of their hearts). The interception happens when a member of the defense intercepts a pass, automatically forcing a change in possession. A fumble occurs when the ball handler loses possession of the ball either by dropping it or having it stripped by another player. The team who recovers the ball gets possession, as long as the play has not been whistled dead by the officials.
The Play Clock
At the end of the first and third periods, whoever has possession of the ball will retain possession as the new quarter (second and fourth) begin. The second half begins with a kick off as in the beginning of the first quarter.
The play clock stops when a player goes out of bounds, when a team scores, when a penalty is called or at the end of an incomplete passing play.
If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, a 15-minute period is extended and played as sudden death- the first team to score wins. Possession is determined by a coin toss. Overtime is different in college football. This is a great opportunity for you to ask "I know they do sudden death in the NFL, how is overtime handled in college?" I'm not going to tell you- look it up if you MUST know- otherwise, keep this in your back pocket to allow him to shine in front of all his friends. Make sure you are focused on his response and ask further questions if you need to.
Clever Girls, I'm so proud of you for getting this far. There is no doubt learning about a sport you don't even like is a beating, however, you don't have to be an aficionado- just an apprecionado. In other words- appreciate the fact the men in your life enjoy the came and if you simply can't abide it- find something worthwhile to do.
Game time is the PERFECT opportunity to do all the things he really doesn't want to do- but tolerates at times. Catch up with friends, catch up on work, catch up on "Grey's Anatomy"- whatever it is just do NOT guilt him for wanting to spend time with the guys, enjoying the game.
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