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| History |
| The birth date of football in the U.S. is generally regarded
by football historians as Nov. 6, 1896, when teams from Rutgers and Princeton
universities met in New Brunswick, N.J., for the first intercollegiate football
game. In the early games each team
had 25 players. By 1873 the number
was reduced to 20, in 1876 to 15, and in 1880 to 11, where it has remained fixed
to the present time. |
| Start of the game |
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Each half shall start with a kick-off.
Prior to the start of the game the referee shall toss a coin. The winning captain has a choice of – 1) Goal 2) kicking or
receiving. |
| Field |
| The field is 100 yards in length and approximately 50 yards in
width with each end of the field having and end zone.
Markings on the field are every five yards. |
| Scrimmage Play |
|
Downs- Upon gaining possession of the ball a team shall have four downs to advance the ball ten yards or score a touchdown or a field goal.
Offensive Play- the ball carrier may run in any direction until
the ball is declared dead. A
forward pass may be thrown only from behind the line of scrimmage to any player
on the offensive team. |
| Scoring |
|
Touchdown----------------6 points Successful conversion Run or Pass-------------- 2 points Kick------------------------ 1 point Safety---------------------- 2 points
Field Goal-----------------3 points |
| Terminology |
|
Centering--The act of putting the ball into play other than a kick-off.
Down--A unit of the game which
starts with the centering of the ball and ends when the ball is
Fumble--Failure of a player to
retain possession of the ball while running or while attempting to Hand off--Handling the ball to a teammate whom is behind the line of scrimmage. Huddle--Two or more players conferring between downs.
Kick-off--a punt or place kick
from own quarter line at the beginning of each half and after each try Lateral pass--A pass that is thrown sideways or back toward the passers own goal.
Line of scrimmage--(Offense) An
imaginary line drawn from the tip of the ball and parallel to the offensive end
line
Neutral Zone--A 3 yard area
separating the defensive team from the line of scrimmage until the ball Own goal--The goal that the team is defending.
Snapping--Handing the ball back
from its point on the ground with a quick and continuous motion of the hand. |
| Defensive Players |
|
Nose guard--Goes after quarterback. Tackles--Goes after the quarterback or ball carrier before the cross the line of scrimmage. Defensive ends--Stop the play by keeping the offensive players inside and watches offensive ends. Corner backs--Covers pass receivers and watches offensive fullbacks. Line backer--Covers pass receivers and watches halfbacks.
Safety--Secondary
coverage—last line of defense. |
| Offensive Players |
|
Center--Snaps the ball to the quarterback and blocks. Guards--Protect the quarterback. Ends--Runs the pattern, possibly receives pass or block. Fullback--Runs pattern sometimes receives pass or handoff. Halfback--Runs patter can receive handoff.
Quarterback--In charge of
plays: handoff, pitches, passes, or runs. |
| Defense |
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DE T NG T DE LB CB CB |
| Offense |
E OG C OG E QB FB FB HB |