Football 101 — A Beginner’s Guide

Overview

Two teams take turns on offense and defense. Offense tries to advance the ball and score; defense tries to stop them or force a turnover.

Every play starts at the line of scrimmage with a snap. The offense has a limited number of downs (tries) to gain enough yards for a new first down. Drives continue until the offense scores, punts, turns the ball over, or time expires.

Basic Rules

Each team fields 11 players.
Ball advancement: run (rush) or throw (pass).
One forward pass per play, thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
Receiver must have control of the ball with required feet/body inbounds for a catch.
Out of bounds or a tackle ends a play; the ball is spotted for the next down.

Scoring

Play	Points	Notes
Touchdown	6	Ball crosses opponent’s goal line or caught in end zone.
Extra Point (kick)	1	Short kick after a touchdown.
Two-Point Conversion	2	Run/pass from short yardage after a touchdown.
Field Goal	3	Placekick through uprights on 4th down or late drives.
Safety	2	Offense is tackled or commits a foul in its own end zone.

Field Layout

Dimensions: 100 yards long + two 10-yard end zones; ~53⅓ yards wide.
Yard lines every 5 yards; hash marks help spot the ball.
First-down chains measure 10 yards to determine a new set of downs.

Positions

Offense

QB: Leads the offense; throws or hands off.
RB: Runs the ball; also blocks/catches.
WR: Primary pass catchers; stretch the field.
TE: Hybrid blocker/receiver.
OL: Protects QB; opens running lanes (T, G, C).

Defense

DL: Rush passer; stop runs (DE, DT).
LB: Versatile run/pass defenders.
CB: Cover receivers; play outside.
S: Deep pass/run support (FS/SS).

Special Teams

K: Kickoffs and field goals.
P: Field position via punts.
LS: Accurate long snaps.
KR/PR: Return kickoffs/punts.

Downs & Yardage

Offense has 4 downs to gain 10+ yards.
Gain 10 yards = 1st-and-10 from the new spot.
Fail by 4th down: usually punt or attempt a field goal.
Choose to “go for it” on 4th down if the distance is short or field position is favorable.

Common Penalties

Offside / Neutral Zone Infraction: 5 yards (defense lines up or moves across the line early).
False Start: 5 yards (offense moves before the snap).
Holding (Offense): 10 yards from previous spot.
Pass Interference (Defense): Spot foul; automatic first down (NFL).
Personal Foul / Unnecessary Roughness: 15 yards; can include automatic first down.
Delay of Game: 5 yards (play clock expires before the snap).

Game Flow

Length: 4 quarters (15 min NFL), halftime break at mid-game.
Clock: Stops for incomplete passes, out of bounds late in halves, penalties, timeouts, and change of possession.
Timeouts: 3 per team per half.
Overtime: Rules vary; in playoffs each team gets a possession. Regular-season rules differ—know the broadcast’s guidance.

Common Terms

Line of Scrimmage: Where the ball is placed to start a play.
Snap: Center delivers the ball to start a play.
Drive: A team’s series of plays on offense.
Red Zone: Inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Turnover: Loss of the ball via interception or fumble.
Sack: QB tackled behind the line on a pass play.
Blitz: Extra defenders rush the QB.
Audible: QB changes the play at the line.

FAQs

What’s the difference between offense and defense?

Offense tries to score; defense works to stop drives, force punts, or create turnovers.

What is a coach’s challenge?

A request to review a play via replay. Teams have limited challenges and timeouts are at stake.

What’s a fair catch?

On punts or kickoffs, the returner signals and cannot be tackled; the ball is spotted at the catch.

What’s the two-minute warning?

An automatic timeout near the end of each half, often influencing strategy and clock management.

What is a safety?

When the offense is tackled or commits a foul in its own end zone. Defense scores 2 points.