REDZONE - ifm Razorbacks Football Magazine - No. 1 - english

GAME RULES
What is American Football about?
The goal of American Football is to advance
the ball and gain yards. In the course of
a game, two teams of eleven players each
try to get the game ball into the opponent’s
end zone or to score a field goal to gain
points.The team in possession of the ball
(The Offence ) can gain yards or a touchdown
or a field goal by throwing the ball or
running the ball. The defending team (Defence)
tries to prevent the offence from advancing
the ball and the defence are trying
to regain possession of the ball itself.There
is always either only the offence or only
the defence of a team on the pitch at one
time.When the offence does not manage to
advance the ball ten yards further up the
field after four attempts (downs), the possession
of the ball changes. Each player has
a certain position in which they play. Due to
the many different and versatile positions,
American Football can be played at least at
amateur level by both big or heavy players
as well as small or light players. The plays
of the offence and the defence are determined
by the head coach and the offence and
defence co-ordinators.
How to score points?
In American football, it’s rare to see a draw
because the rules allow for different ways
to gainpoints.
Touchdown
The ball is carried into the opposing end
zone or the ball is caught in the end zone.
The team gets six points for scoring a
touchdown.
Extrapunkt
After a touchdown, the offensive team has
the opportunity to kick the ball from the 3
meter line through the goal frame. As with
soccer , the ball has to be kicked through
the two vertical goalposts, but unlike soccer,
the ball has to be kicked over the crossbar.
If this succeeds, you get 1 point. This is
also known as PAT (Point After Touchdown).
Two Point Conversion
Alternatively, after a touchdown instead of
kicking, the offence can also try to carry or
throw the ball from the 3 meter line into the
end zone. Since this is more difficult than
the kick, you get 2 points for this.
Field Goal
If a team hasn’t gain enough yards for a new
first down or touchdown or the time is running
out, there is the possibility to kick the
ball through the opponent‘s goal poles from
any point in the field. You get 3 points for a
successful field goal.
Safety
Safety is the opportunity for the Defence
to score points. For this, the defence must
bring the opposing quarterback to the
ground (sack) in the opponents end zone.
This situation is rather rare, but is worth 2
points.