Unit 5 Football positions and Play

individual and team sports

Kickoff

A football game begins with a kickoff to the opponents. A flip of a coin determines which team has the choice of kicking off or receiving.

Change sides/Direction

The team that wins the toss may elect instead to choose the goal it would like to defend—in case a strong, gusty wind is blowing. Teams change defending goal lines each quarter. Therefore, unless the wind changes directions during a game, each team would have the wind at its back two of the game’s four quarters.

half time

A halftime period separates the first two quarters of the game from the last two. After halftime, play does not continue where it ended. Instead, the team that originally lost the coin toss gets to have the ball first following another kickoff.

downs

An offensive team gets four attempts, called downs, to advance the ball ten yards. Resets to 0 after every 10 yards up to 4 downs max.

touch down

The offensive team repeats this process (downs) until it makes a touchdown. A touchdown counts 6 points.

possession of ball

In addition to gaining possession of the ball after an opposing team runs out of downs, a team may gain the ball by intercepting a pass or by recovering a ball dropped by a runner. A dropped ball is called a fumble. A fumble may be recovered by anyone on the field. If the team in possession recovers the fumble, it retains possession (at the location of the fumble). If the opposing team recovers the fumble, that team takes possession of the ball.

fumble

A dropped ball is called a fumble.

Time Outs

allowed 3 each

subs

Substitutes may enter the field only when the ball is dead. Players must leave on their own side of the field between the endlines and must do so before the next snap.

Offense team

The offensive team must have at least seven players within a yard of the line of scrimmage

Linemen

divided into five interior linemen and two ends.

interior linemen

A center, two guards, and two tackles make up the interior linemen. their job is to block for ball carriers, passers, and pass receivers. The center also snaps the ball through his legs to the quarterback to begin a play.

end linemen

Each of the two ends plays a position on the outside of the interior linemen. Their chief job is to block, but they should be capable of running pass routes and be able to catch the football.

backfield in offense

consists of a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback

Running backs / halfbacks

usually fast runners who can block as well as run with the ball.

“handy man of the offensive team”

fullbacks

usually block, and the halfbacks are more likely to carry the ball

quarterback

key player on the offense because he leads the team and sets the offensive strategy. He calls the plays, receives the ball on most plays, and then hands the ball off or passes it. The quarterback’s skills are important to the success of the team.

and occasionally runs the ball.

Widerecievers

line up near the sidelines. They specialize in catching passes.

Tight ends

The tight ends line up outside the offensive line. They can either play like wide receivers (try to catch passes) or like offensive linemen (protect the quarterback or create space for runners). A team will sometimes use two wide receivers, a wide receiver and a tight end, or two tight ends.

Defense team

the line

the linebacker

the secondary

D Line Team

typically the biggest players. Their main responsibility is to reinforce the line by using their size and strength against offensive blockers. They try to tackle the running backs before they can gain yardage, or the quarterback before he can throw a pass.

D Linebackers

physical and strategic leaders of the defense unit. They are positioned behind the defensive line and help reinforce the line. They must have speed and good tackling skills. They may either rush the quarterback or cover receivers and/or running backs

basically jack of all trades.

D Secondary

The defensive secondary unit must defend against wide sweeps and passing. Its main responsibility is to protect against the passing offense.

Defense continued (below this card)

Tackles + Ends (D Line)

Called the front four in a 4-3 set. They are the largest men on the defense because their jobs are to stop the run attach and rush the passer. Defensive linemen line up on the line of scrimmage and are permitted to use their hands against blockers. In 3-4 alignment, there are two ends and a middleman, called a nose tackle; the fourth lineman is replaced by an additional linebacker.

Cornerbacks and Safeties (D Backs)

They operate in the area of the defense called the secondary. They are required to tackle much bigger runners, yet on pass plays, they must have the speed to catch the fastest receivers. They also blitz.

linebackers (again?)

The defensive team’s version of the handymen. They must pursue running plays, drop back and defend against passes, or disrupt pass plays with all-out rushes from their positions called dogs and blitzes.

Special teams in football

The units of players who handle kicking plays are known as special teams. Special team players include the punter, who handles punts, and the kicker or place- kicker, who kicks off and attempts field goals and extra points.

Field goal and extra point attempts also require a holder who receives the ball from the center and holds it in a position that allows the kicker to easily kick the ball.

Touch down (6p)

A touchdown counts six points when a player carries the ball across the goal line and into the opponent’s end zone.

Extra point (2p) / Conversion (1p)

the ball is carried or passed successfully over the goal line as in the same manner as scoring a touchdown it counts two points. If the team elects to place-kick (convert) the try, then it is worth only one point.

conversion = kick

Field Goal (3p)

A field goal counts three points when a player kicks the ball through the opponent’s goal by means of a place kick or a drop kick. If the offensive team misses a field goal attempt. The defensive team gets the ball at the spot where the previous play began (or, in the NFL, at the spot of the kick). If the unsuccessful kick was attempted from very close to the end zone, the other team gets the ball at its own 20-yard line (that is, 20 yards from the end zone).

Safety (2p)

Only the defensive team can score a safety, which counts two points.

The defense earns a safety if it tackles the ball carrier in their own end zone, if the ball carrier steps out of bounds (back or side of the end zone), or if a blocked punt goes out of the end zone.

Violations procedures

When a player commits a violation, an official will throw a yellow flag. The referee then explains the violation to the captain of the team that was fouled.

That team has the choice of accepting or refusing the penalty. If they accept, it is enforced, and the down is usually replayed. If the play is refused, the penalty is disregarded.

Roughing (15 forward + auto 1st down)

A foul committed against a kicker or passer. The defense may not run into or tackle the kicker while she/he is punting or place kicking. The defense may tackle the passer when she/he has the ball, but she/he may not be hit after the ball is thrown. The penalty is 15 yards and an automatic first down.

Offsides (5 backwards)

(hahah funnly enough i did this cause i didn’t know back in 4th grade)

Called when a defensive or offensive player crosses the line of scrim- mage before the ball is snapped. The penalty is five yards back

Encroachment (5 forward)

When the defense comes across the line of scrimmage and actually touches an offensive player before the ball is snapped. The penalty is five yards forward

Grabbing the Face Mask (5 or 15 either way)

5 if unintentional

15 if intentional

Delay of Game (5 yards either way)

can be called on either offense or defense, but this foul is most commonly committed by the offense. The penalty occurs on offense when the team allows the play clock to run down to zero without snapping the ball. The penalty can be called on the defense if the referees feel that the defense did not allow the offense to get the play off in time for any reason. A similar foul is delay on kickoff.

The penalty is five yards.

Illegal Motion (5 yards back)

A movement where two offensive players are in motion at the same time when the ball is snapped. Also, only one player is allowed in motion, and the motion must be parallel to the line of scrimmage. The penalty is five yards.

Holding

Called against an offensive player who uses his hands to block a defensive player. In high school and college, a defensive player can be called for holding if the hands are used to do anything except tackle a ball carrier. Players in the NFL can use their hands under certain conditions.

The penalty is 10 yards for offensive holding and 5 yards for defensive holding. The NFL also includes an automatic first down for the offense.

Holding, Illegal Use of Hands or Illegal Block Above the Waist
(10 yards)

Occurs when players cannot hold onto other players by either their jersey or body. Players can not put their hands into another player’s face in order to block them. Players may also not block another player in the back. The penalty is ten yards.

False Start (10 yards back)

when offense move b4 stat. Does not count if in Motion
However, motion is simply a player changing position on the field before the snap. Only receivers, running backs, and the quarterback may be in motion. The penalty is ten yards.

Tripping (10 back)

When a person trips somebody in order to block or tackle them. The penalty is ten yards.

interference

Called if the pass receiver or pass defender is blocked, tackled, or shoved while the ball is still in the air.

In defensive interference, the offense gets the ball at the spot of the foul and receives a first down. In offensive interference, the penalty is loss of down and 15 yards.

Clipping (15 yards from foul spots)

Committed if an offensive player runs or dives into the back or the back of the legs of an opponent other than the runner. The penalty is 15 yards from the spot of the foul.

Unnecessary Roughness (15 yards or ejected)

A foul that occurs when, in the official’s opinion, a player uses tactics that are unnecessary to block or tackle another player. The penalty is 15 yards or a player may be disqualified if the violation is flagrant.

basically dirty play?

Motion

a move in the offense where a player (receivers, running backs, and the quarterback) runs/moves parallel to line of scrimmage to go to REPOSITION

Referee

The chief official who has control of the game. This official has final word on all rulings.

Duties include: starting and stopping play; notifying coaches of time-outs and two minute warnings; announcing options on penalties; and so on.

This official positions himself behind the offensive backfield and follows the ball up the field.

Umpire

Has primary jurisdiction over the legality of equipment, and in certain instances, the timing of the game. She/He assists the referee with decisions involving possession of the ball and makes sure the offense has no more than 11 players on the field.

This official positions herself/himself approximately five yards off the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball.

Head Linesman

Supervises the chain crew, marks the forward progress of the ball, and keeps track of downs.

This official also watches for illegal motion, illegal shifts, illegal use of hands, and illegal men downfield. She/He stands at the end of the line of scrimmage.

Field Judge

Watches for violations on punt returns and pass plays. This official makes sure the defensive team has no more than 11 players on the field. On field goals, she/he stands under the goalpost to determine if the kick is good.

This official is positioned behind the defensive secondary near a sideline.

Back Judge

Spots violations between the defensive back and the offensive pass receivers. This official stands behind the defensive secondary near a sideline.

Line Judge

Watches for violations in the line. This official is responsible for timing the game. This official stands opposite of the head linesman.

Side Judge

Stands opposite the back judge and on the same side of the field as the head linesman. This official has the same responsibilities as the back judge. ( violations between the defensive back and the offensive pass receivers. )