Become a football expert: all about the rules of the game and the best tactics

American Football's rules and tactics are complex, making the sport both fascinating and strategically demanding. For many newcomers, the rules and strategies can seem confusing at first, but once the basics are understood, a thrilling game unfolds that requires both physical and mental skills. On this landing page, we explain the most important rules and tactics of American Football and provide an overview of how teams strategically plan their games, along with the role of various positions and formations.

American Football is played on a 100-yard-long field (plus end zones). Each team consists of 11 players, and the objective of the game is to score more points than the opponent. Points can be scored in various ways, primarily through touchdowns (6 points), field goals (3 points), extra points (1 or 2 points), and safeties (2 points). The game is divided into four quarters, and the team with the most points at the end wins. However, behind these basic rules lies a wide range of tactical considerations that make the game exciting and unpredictable.

The Key Rules in American Football

American Football is based on the idea of advancing the ball in yard increments to score points. The attacking team, the offense, tries to move the ball down the field, while the defending team, the defense, aims to stop them. The field is marked by yard lines, and the offense has four attempts (called downs) to advance at least 10 yards to earn a new first down. If successful, the team gets four more attempts. If the offense fails to cover the 10 yards in four tries, possession of the ball changes, and the opposing team takes over on offense.

A touchdown is the primary goal of the offense. It is scored when a player manages to carry the ball into the opponent's end zone or catch a pass in the end zone. After a touchdown, the team has the opportunity to score an extra point by kicking (1 point) or a two-point conversion (2 points). Alternatively, the offense can attempt a field goal if they are in a good position on the field but unable to score a touchdown. This earns 3 points and is executed by a kicker.

Positions and Their Roles

The players on the field have different positions with specific tasks. The primary responsibilities of the offense are to move the ball and score points. The quarterback (QB) is the leader of the offense, making decisions on the field. They can either throw the ball, hand it off to a running back (RB), or run themselves to gain the necessary yards. Wide receivers (WR) catch the quarterback's passes, while the offensive line (OL) protects the quarterback and blocks for the running backs.

The defense's job is to stop the opponent's offense. There are also various defensive positions with specialized tasks. The defensive line (DL) pressures the quarterback and stops running plays. Linebackers (LB) are versatile, assisting both the defensive line in stopping runs and the secondary, which consists of cornerbacks (CB) and safeties (S), who primarily defend against passes. The strategic arrangement of the defense depends heavily on whether they expect a pass or run from the offense, with numerous defensive formations that vary depending on the game situation.

Offensive and Defensive Tactics

Tactics are one of the most exciting aspects of American Football, as each play presents a new strategic challenge. The offense plans its plays in advance and tries to surprise the defense with sophisticated tactics. Two of the most common offensive strategies are the running game and the passing game. A running play is often used when the team needs to cover only a few yards or when the opposing defense has shown weaknesses against the run. A passing play is typically used when more yards are needed, or the defense expects a run. Some teams use a run-pass option (RPO), where the quarterback decides based on the defense's behavior whether to hand off the ball or throw it.

The defense must adapt to the offense's plays and try to minimize yardage gains. A central concept in defense is the blitz, where multiple players rush the quarterback to pressure him into making a mistake, such as a sack (tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage) or a poor throw that could result in an interception. Defensive formations vary depending on the situation. The 4-3 defense, which uses four defensive linemen and three linebackers, is particularly effective at stopping running plays, while the nickel defense (with five defensive backs) is preferred when the offense is expected to pass.

Special Teams

In addition to offense and defense, there are special teams responsible for all kicking situations. They handle kickoffs, punt returns, field goals, and extra points. A successful special team can make the difference in a close game, as good field position after a kick or punt can be crucial for the next offensive drive.

Penalties and Infractions

Another important aspect of the game is penalties and the associated infractions. Common penalties include holding, where a player illegally holds an opponent, or pass interference, where a defender obstructs a receiver before they can catch the ball. These penalties can result in yardage losses, advancing the attacking team or putting the defending team in a worse position. Penalties often have a significant impact on the flow of the game, as they can extend offensive drives or nullify key defensive plays.

Conclusion

American Football is a tactically complex sport that requires both physical effort and strategic skill. For newcomers, understanding the many rules and tactics may seem difficult at first, but once the basics are mastered, it reveals an exciting and dynamic game. Every phase of the game offers new strategic opportunities, and the various positions and formations make the game exciting and unpredictable.