Guys love sports (most guys). And a lot of those sport loving males especially love football. Violence, sweat, mass amounts of testosterone – what’s not to love? While plenty of girls call themselves avid football fans too, we know that for any newcomer to the game it can be easy to get lost. There are a few basics to the game that everyone should know, whether to impress the cutie standing next to you at the game or simply to follow along and have a great time.
1. The game is divided into four 15-minute quarters with a 20-minute halftime in between. The average game takes 3-4 hours, so be prepared!
2. There are 11 players on the field at a time. The offense is the team currently with the ball trying to score and the defense is trying to stop them.
3. Each team has four chances to go 10 yards down the field and gain a first down. The announcer might say 1st and 10 or 2nd and 7 meaning what number chance it is and how far they still have to go. If they go 10 yards or more, they get four new chances to do it again, and again and again, until they score or turn it over to the other team. If they fail to accomplish that, they lose possession of the ball to the other team. Also note – the yellow line you see on TV marking how much farther until a down, is not really there on the field, it’s only on TV.
4. A team can lose possession of the ball in three ways. First, the team on offense did not go 10 yards in 4 chances. This is called a turnover on downs. Second, the ball is intercepted meaning the defensive team catches the ball when it was not intended for them. Third, a player can fumble it and whoever has it last, the ball is now theirs.
5. The points system: A touchdown is worth 6 points. A field goal where you kick it through the yellow goal post is worth 3 points. A team can also score extra points after they score a touchdown. They can kick a field goal for one extra point or score two extra points by starting at the 2–yard line and try to get the ball in the end zone for a two-point conversion. The last way is when the offense is in their own end zone and the defense tackles them, there is a penalty or the ball goes out of bounds. This is called a safety and two points is awarded to the team on defense. A safety is the least common way of scoring in American football.
6. Want to really impress your fellow football fans? Show off your knowledge of a pick-6; when the team on defense intercepts the ball and runs it all the way down the field to score. UNC player Brian Walker scored a 102 yard pick-6 in the home game against San Diego St.
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Football is a complex sport and there is so much more to it, but hopefully these basics will help guide you along during the game. Tailgating is fun, but don’t miss out on all the action that comes after. Put your newfound knowledge to the test and let’s #beatVT this Saturday!