THE BASICS OF FOOTBALL

OFFENSE
C: Center (Snaps hands or tosses the ball to the quarterback
***Nobody can pass the line of scrimmage (dotted Line until he snaps)*** ***Play doesnt start until the center snaps the ball***

POSITIONS AND ROLES:

BALL HANDLERS (QB, FB, HB, WR, TE)
Carry the ball to score or gain yards, or protect others when they carry

QB: Quarterback (Calls the plays either hands ball to running back, passes to wide receivers or runs (sneaks) it) FB: Fullback (Larger running back designated to plow forward for short runs. Blocks for the HB or QB) HB: Halfback (Smaller, more agile running back designated for longer runs. Also protects QB) WR: Wide Receiver (Tall and Fast: Wide to the right or left of field. Try to get open for a pass from the QB) TE: Tight End (Stays tight on the end of the lineman Blocks defense on run plays, and catches short passes)

LINEMEN (T, G, C)
Protect the QB and moves defensive players out of running backs way Must NOT MOVE until the ball is snapped (or they get a 5 yard penalty)

T: Offensive Tackle (Blocks Defensive Players from coming around the outside of the linemen) G: Guard (Blocks Defensive Players from coming between the linemen) C: Center (snaps the ball and blocks defensive players from coming up the middle)

OBJECT OF THE OFFENSE

They have 4 chances to perform a run play or pass play (chances are called downs) They have to move the ball a total of at least 10 yards within those 4 chances Gain 10 yards within 4 chances, and they get another 4 chances (starting back at 1st down) They need to average 3.4 yards per down in order to keep gaining 1 st Downs Fail to gain the 10 yards, and the other teams offense gets the ball They can either pass the ball or run it to get the 10 yards On their 4th chance, if they havent gained 10 yards, they have 3 options: Punt Kick it to give the ball back to your opponent Field Goal IF CLOSE ENOUGH - Kick the ball between the upright posts Go For It Try 1 last time to get the 10 yards needed.

SCORE POINTS BY DOING ONE OF THE FOLLOWING

TOUCHDOWN
Run to your end of the field (endzone) with the ball or catch the ball while in the endzone.

FIELD GOAL (3 Points):

Kick the ball between the upright posts in your endzone

EXTRA POINTS (1 or 2 Points)

After each Touchdown, the offense gets a chance for 1 or 2 Extra Points. Kick a field goal between the posts for 1 extra point Get another touchdown for 2 extra points

SAFETY (2 Points)
RARELY OCCURS: These points can only be scored by the defense If an offensive player has the ball, and a defensive player tackles them in the endzone behind the offense (the opposite of the endzone that theyre trying to reach) the defense gets a safety and earns 2 points for their team

DEFENSE
Stop the Offense from Scoring or Getting Any Yards! Tackle whoever has the ball, dont let them gain yards if possible!

POSITIONS AND ROLES:

LINEMEN (DT, DE)
Try to tackle the QB before he passes, or tackle the running back before he gains yards

DT: Defensive Tackle (generally a bigger lineman, lines up in the middle - tackles ball carrier) DE: Defensive End (generally more lean and agile, lines up on outside tackles ball carrier)

DEFENSIVE BACKS (CB, LB, FS, SS)

*Strong Side is the side of the field that the tight end is on*

CB: Cornerback (Tall and Fast - Covers Wide Receiver to prevent him from catching, tackles him if he does) LB: Linebacker (Very Strong Covers short passes and stops running back if lineman doesnt ) FS: Free Safety (Usually stays back, and goes wherever the ball goes helps the corner on his side cover receiver) SS: Strong Safety (Lines up on the Strong Side, covers passes to his side, tackles running back on run plays)

KEY TERMS
Sack: When the quarterback has the ball and is tackled without gaining yards Interception: When the defense catches a pass that was thrown to a receiver Fumble: When the football is dropped by the ball carrier before he is tackled Perfection: Miami Dolphins in 1972 - Miami should be your favorite team!!!