American Football is played between 2 teams, each with 11 players on the field at any one time.The game is divided into four quarters (each quarter being 15 mins long) and at the end of each quarter, the teams change the direction in which they are trying to score a touchdown.  The Squads are made up of 4 units, those units are as follows:

The Offense (Attack)
The Defense (Defend)
Special Teams Kickers
Special Teams Kick Receivers

The Field

The field of play is often called the GRIDIRON because the patterns on it look like a cooking grill.  The pitch is 100 yards long and 53yards 1 foot wide.  It is divided every 5 yards and each half of the pitch is marked from 0-50 yards meeting at the half-way line.  The endzone (the part each team needs to reach to score) is 10 yards deep between the end line and the goal line.  Each individual yard is marked down the middle of the field with hash marks.  All play starts between these hash marks but all lines along the sides of the pitch are out of bounds to players.

The Players

THE OFFENSE

Quarterback - The focal point of the game. He takes instruction only from the Coach and then passes them onto the Offense on the field in a huddle which is formed before the start of the next play.  He always takes the ball from the CENTRE and eith throws, passes or hands the ball to an eligible receiver.

Centre - The guy who takes posession of the ball at the start of each play on the line and snaps it through his legs to the Quarterback or the kicker (on a punt)

Wide Receiver - The wide receivers are generally fast and have the ability to catch the ball.  They must be able to run their precise and predetermined running pattern, making sure that they try and lose the defensive player (who is normally hot on their tail) in order to complete the play by catching the ball. 

Running Back - The Fullback is often the larger of the two backs as he is often required to barge his way through the defense or to block the defensive path.  The half back is often the smaller and fastest so that he can weave his way through the defense and out into the open field before being tackled.

The Linemen - The offensive linemen are normally the biggest players on the team.  Their main task is to protect the quarterback and to make "holes" for the running backs to pass through.  The offensive line consists of the Centre, 2 Guards and 2 Tackles.

Tight End - The good "all rounder".  His duties include blocking the defensive line and running "patterns" to complete passes thrown from the quarterback, which can be to him or the wide receivers.

THE DEFENSE

Defensive Linemen - The defensive linemen are physically big since their main task is to break through or push aside the offensive line, creating space for their team-mates to reach the ball carrier or to tackle the Quarterback before the ball is thrown (a sack).  They need to be fast enough to react to the offensive play situation and hopefully the offensive plan.  The defensive line consists of Tackles and Ends.  The tackles must hold up the offensive linemen so that the defensive ends can operate effectively.  The defensive ends must try to get round the offensive line to tackle the ball carrier.

Cornerbacks - These fast and nimble players mark the wide receivers and to provent the catch being made.  Cornerbacks are often the lightest defensive players, yet they have to be effective tacklers as they are almost the last line of defense.

Linebacker - The linebacker is a fast, strong all rounder whose main task is to follow the ball.  His aim is to either get the ball or to stop the offensive player from getting it.

Safety - A safety is also fast and nimble, operating in the second line of defense.  The strong safety plays behind the linebackers on the same side as the tight end.  The free safety covers the defense.  Both safeties guard the passing areas of the middle of the field and support the run defence intiated by the linebackers.

Special Teams - Special Team players only come onto the field at specific times, and are used for kick offs, punts extra points and field goals.  They can win vital points for their team.  The special teams consist of kickers and punt returners or receivers.

THE START OF PLAY

The game (like many others) is divided into two halves.  Those two halves are again divided into quarters and at the end of each quarter, each team the direction in which they need to score.

The four downs system - The offense is given four attempts (DOWNS) to move the ball as far as they can in one play.  The teams aim is to get to a minimum of 10 yards.  Each time they get to the 10 yard marker or further they get a FIRST DOWN and keep possesion of the ball and get another four downs to try and score a touchdown.  If the offence fails to either score within there attempts or they get to a 4th down and then fail to get a first down then the possession of the ball is then passed to the other team.  The defence then changes to the offence and vice versa.  The object of the game is obviously to score points though and not just to gain yardage.

At the beginning of the game, each team must line up and the opposing team must check the "roster"  This is to ensure that there are no illegal players on the field and so that each players photo is checked against the number on their shirt.  When entering the league ALL players must be regisitered with the BAFL and this is one of the only ways to double check.  The two teams then get their captains on the field and they do a coin toss to determine either who will take the kickoff or which end to defend.  The loser takes the remaining choice which is often the latter.  The decision is based on the tactical judgement of the head coach and the team captains whether to play the offensive or defensive squad first.

The game begins with a kickoff from the special forces team from their 35 yard line.  Usually the receiving team gets possesion of the ball after the kick returner is tackled.  One the player holding the ball is tackled, the play is stopped and the receiving team brings on their offensive players who automatically gain a first down and the other team bring on their defence.  Play starts from where the ball is stopped on the kickoff.

HOW TO SCORE POINTS

Each teams main objective is to score points , below is how they can  do that!

TOUCHDOWN - 6 POINTS

• An offensive runner carries the ball across the opponents goal line into the endzone
• The offence completes a pass to an eligible receiver into the opponents endzone.
• Adefensive player intercepts a pass, recovers a fumble or a blocked punt is recovered and run back into the opponents endzone - a defensive touchdown is scored.
• A kickoff or punt is returned without the player being tackled into the endzone.

EXTRA POINT - 1 or 2 POINTS

• Following a touchdown, the scoring team kicks the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights from a line of scrimmage 2 yards from the opponents goal line (1 POINT)
• If the team chooses to pass or throw the ball into the endzone again instead of kicking the ball (2 POINTS)
  

FIELD GOAL - 3 POINTS

• This is achieved by kicking the ball over the crossbar and through the uprights from any position of the field and at any time.

SAFETY - 2 POINTS

• This is achieved by tackling the ball carrier in his own endzone, effectively scoring an own goal.

I hope that this has given at least some insight as to how the game is played.  As with any sport there are many rules and regulations that must be followed and these can be found either on the BAFL website (www.bafl.org.uk) or on the BAFRA website (British American Football Referee Association).

If you are interested about learning more or would like to know more about joining the club, feel free to contact us on plymouthadmirals@hotmail.co.uk and we will do our best to help.