FOOTBALL RULES AND STRATEGIES NOTES
Objective: The primary objective of football is to score points by carrying the ball into
the end zone. This is known as scoring a Touchdown.
Football Field
 An official football field is 120 yards long and 50 yards wide.
 The last ten yards of each side of the field is known as the End Zone.
 A football field is marked every 10 yards away from each End Zone with the 50 yard
line separating the field in half.
 Coaches and substituting players must remain on the sideline during play.
 An official football field also contains a Field Goal Post at the end of each End Zone,
which is used as markers to kick the ball in between.
Length of Time of a Football Game
 Football is played in 4 quarters.
 The amount of minutes per quarter will vary, however the National Football League
(NFL), which is the most popular professional football league plays 15 minutes per
quarter.
 At the end of the 2nd Quarter, both teams will take a short break known as Halftime.
The Football Team
 College and professional football teams will carry 50 to 60 players on a team,
however there can only be 11 players on the field at one time.
 Players who start the game in their positions are known as 1st String Players or
Starters. Every team has at least one 2nd and one 3rd String Player, who are backups
or substitutes to the 1st String Player.
 Each team includes players that make up the Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
Each position on the field will have specific duties.
Defensive Positions and Duties
 Defensive Lineman (DL) – Tries to pull the QB’s flag on passing plays and the RB’s
flag on running plays.
 Linebacker (LB) – Covers the TE or RB on passing plays and tries to pull the RB’s
or QB’s flag on running plays.
 Cornerback (CB) – Covers the WR on passing plays and tries to pull the RB’s or
QB’s flag on running plays.
 Safety (S) – Helps the CB and LB cover WR, TE, and RB on passing plays,
especially if the WR, TE, and RB are going long or deep.
S
LB
CB
WR
LB
DL / DL / DL
OL / C / OL / TE
QB
RB
CB
WR
Offensive Positions and Duties
 Quarterback (QB) – Receives the hike or snap and then has one of three options: 1)
throw the ball to the WR, TE, or RB. 2) hand-off or pitch-out the ball to the RB. 3)
run with the ball.
 Wide Receivers (WR) – On passing plays, WR’s will go out on passing patterns and
then try to catch the ball that has been thrown by the QB. On running plays, they
either block the CB or go on a passing pattern to draw the CB away from the RB.
 Tight End (TE) - On passing plays, TE’s go out on a passing pattern and then try to
catch the ball that has been thrown by the QB. On running plays, they block the DL
or LB.
 Running Back (RB) – On passing plays, RB’s either goes up to the line of
scrimmage and turn around or they run toward the sideline known as a “Screen”. On
running plays, the RB takes the ball from the QB on a hand-off or pitch-out and runs
with it.
 Offensive Lineman (OL) – On passing plays, the OL tries to create a pocket or circle
around the QB as they try to block the Defensive Linemen (DL). This gives the QB
time to throw. On running plays, they try to create a hole or gap for the running back
to run through or around.
 Center (C) – Hikes the ball to the QB and performs the same duties as the OL.
Offensive and Defense Lineman also have specific positions on the line. One is called a
Guard and the other is called a Tackle. For example, you may play the Offensive
Guard (OG) position and your teammates blocking next to you would be the Offensive
Tackle (OT). The Defensive Line would have the Defensive Guard (DG), Defensive
(DT), and a special Defensive Line position called the Defensive End (DE). Regardless
of their specific position on the line, their duties are the same. They are all Offensive and
Defensive Linemen.

Special Teams – Players who are on the 2nd or 3rd string for a position will usually
play on a team called Special Team. The Special Team will be described throughout
the handout.
How Football is Played
 The game begins when one team kicks the ball to the other team. The team that
kicks the ball is known as the Kicking Team and the team that receives the ball from
the kick is known as the Receiving Team. The Kicking and Receiving Teams are also
referred to as the Special Team. Example, Joe Smith, who is on the Special Team
will play on the Kicking Team when his team is kicking and on the Receiving Team
when his team is receiving.
 When a player from the Receiving Team catches the ball, he/she will run with the ball
toward his/her opponent’s end zone. During this time, the Kicking Team will try to
stop the player with the ball by tackling him/her.
 If the player with the ball is able enter his/her opponent’s end zone without being
tackled, his/her team will score a Touchdown, which is worth 6 points.
 If the player with the ball is tackled by his/her opponents, play will stop and the ball
will be placed on the spot where the player landed on the ground.
 The spot where the ball is placed is known as the Line of Scrimmage. The Line of
Scrimmage then becomes the starting point for the offensive team to run a play. It is
also the line that separates the offensive team from the defensive team.



The offensive team must line up behind one end of the football and the defensive
team must line up behind the other end of the football. The area between the ends of
the football is known as the Neutral Zone.
If a player on either side crosses the Neutral Zone and the ball is snapped or hiked
(put into play), the team will be considered Offsides. This is a penalty that will be
discussed later.
The offensive team will use a combination of running plays and passing plays to gain
as many yards as possible and score a Touchdown. This is the primary objective of
playing football.
Gaining 1st Downs
Even though the primary objective of football is to score touchdowns, it is rare that a
team can score a Touchdown within a few plays after a Kick-off. As a result, the
offensive team is given an opportunity to remain on offense if they are able to gain at
least 10 yards within 4 plays.
 If the offense is able to gain at least10 yards, they will be given a new set of 4 plays
to gain 10 more yards.
 For as long as the offensive continues to gain at least 10 yards within the 4 plays, they
will continue to receive a new set of four downs, stay on offense, and maintain
control of the ball.
Examples of gaining a 1st down:
 1st Down and 1. The offense gains 11 yards on the play. The result is 1st Down and
10.
 1st Down and 10. The offense gains 5 yards on the play. The result is 2nd Down and
5. The offense then gains 8 yards on the play. The result is 1st Down and 10.
 1st Down and 10. The offense gains 0 yards on the play. The result is 2nd Down and
10. The offense then gains 8 yards on the play. The result is 3rd Down and 2. The
offense then gains 2 yards on the play. The result is 1st Down and 10.
 1st Down and 10. The offense loses 2 yards on the play… The result is 2nd Down and
12. The offense then gains 6 yards on the play. The result is 3rd Down and 6. The
offense then gains 5 yards on the play. The result is 4th Down and 1. The offense
then gains 2 yards on the play. The result is 1st Down and 10.
Example of not gaining a 1st down:
1st Down and 10. The offense gains 3 yards on the play. The result is 2nd Down and 7.
The offense then gains 2 yards on the play. The result is 3rd Down and 5. The offense
then gains 3 yards on the play. The result is 4th Down and 1. The offense then gains 0
yards on the play. The result is the offense was short by 1 yard.
 In this situation, the possession of the ball will be handed over to the other team and
they will be given an opportunity to score a Touchdown. The final result of not
gaining a 1st Down will be 1st Down for the other team and your team will be on
defense.
Punting
If the offensive team is at 4th Down and they do not want to take the risk of running
another play and not getting a 1st Down, they can choose to punt the ball to the other
team.
 Punting the ball is viewed as a strategically safe decision, especially if your team is
facing 4th Down on your half of the field.







In this situation, the offense will leave the field and the kicking team will come onto
the field. Likewise, the defensive team will leave the field and the receiving team
will come onto the field.
The primary objective of the Kicking Team on a punt is to punt the as far as away as
possible from their defending End Zone.
The Receiving Team has two objectives. First, they will try to block the ball that has
been kicked by the Punter (P). If they do, they can pick up the ball and run with it
toward the End Zone for a Touchdown.
The second objective is to catch the ball and run with it toward the End Zone. Most
of the time, the Punter will successfully kick the ball.
If the ball is kicked into the End Zone, the ball will be placed on the 20 Yard Line for
the Offensive Team to start play. Many times, the Receiving Team will allow the ball
to enter the End Zone so the Offense can start the ball on the 20 Yard Line.
If the punted ball does not enter the End Zone and the Receiving Team does not touch
the ball, the Kicking Team can grab or touch the ball to stop it. The ball will then be
placed on that spot for the Offensive Team.
If the player who is catching the ball on a punt does not want to run with the ball,
he/she can call a “Fair Catch” by waving his/her arm in the air before catching the
ball. If the player calls a “Fair Catch”, the Kicking Team is not allowed to tackle
him/her.
Field Goals
If the offensive team is at 4th Down and they are close to the End Zone, they can choose
to kick the ball between the goal posts for 3 points. The players who play on both sides
of a Field Goal attempt are also a part of the Special Teams. The player who kicks the
ball is known as Kicker (K).
KEY TERMS:
Incomplete Pass – Occurs when the QB throws the ball and the WR, TE, or RB cannot
catch it. The ball is then brought back and placed on the original Line of Scrimmage.
Fumble – Occurs when an offensive player has the ball and drops it. The first team to
receive possession of the ball can pick-up the ball and run with it. If the Defensive Team
gains possession of the ball, they will leave the field and the Offense Team will enter the
field.
Interception – Occurs when a defensive player catches the ball that has been thrown by
Quarterback. The defensive player who caught the ball can run with it until he/she is
tackled. After the play is over, the Defensive will leave the field and the Offensive Team
will enter the field.
Safety – The offense is running a play close to their defending End Zone. If the
offensive player with the ball (ex. Quarterback) is tackled in the End Zone, it is ruled a
Safety. A Safety also occurs if the Offensive Team runs past their defending End Zone.
On a Safety:
 The defensive team will receive 2 points.
 The offensive team must Kick-off to their opponents. Both teams will send their
Special Team players for this play.
Touchback – If the ball goes into the End Zone on Kick-offs and Punts, the Receiving
Team can choose not to run with the ball. In this case, the ball is automatically placed on
the 20-Yard Line as their Line-of-Scrimmage. Touchbacks can also occur if an
Interception or Fumble takes place in the End Zone by the Defensive Team.
Penalties – Occur when a player commits a foul. If the Offensive Team commits a
penalty, they will lose yards. If the Defensive Team commits a penalty, they Offensive
Team will gain yards. Common Penalties Include:
 Offsides – A player moves past the Line-of-Scrimmage before the ball is hiked or
snapped. (5 Yard Penalty)
 False Start – A player on the Offensive Team moves before the ball is hiked or
snapped. (5 Yard Penalty)
 Holding – A player grabs or holds his/her opponent. (10 Yard Penalty)
 Clipping – A player blocks or pushes his/her opponent from their back. (15 Yard
Penalty)
 Pass Interference – A player physically prevents or contacts the opponent who is
trying to catch a thrown ball. (Penalty Yards Vary)
 Unsportsmanlike Conduct – A player commits an act that dangerous or is mocking
players from the other team. For example, a player will be called for
Unsportsmanlike Conduct if he uses his helmet to hit or tackle his opponent. (15
Yard Penalty)
In most cases when a penalty is enforced, the down will be repeated. For example:
On 1st Down and 10, an offensive player commits a holding penalty. It is now 1st and 20.
That means, they have 4 Downs to complete 20 yards.
In most cases, if a penalty occurs on or behind the Line-of-Scrimmage, the yards gained
or lost will take place from the Line-of-Scrimmage.
In most cases, if a penalty occurs past the Line-of-Scrimmage, the yards gained or lost
will take place from the spot of the foul.