Basic Rules

Time

A professional football game consists of four quarters of 15 minutes each, separated by an intermission after the second quarter called "halftime."  Four 15-minute quarters implies a 60 minute game, however this is not true.  Each time gets three timeouts per half, plus there are also timeouts for injuries and penalties, which makes an average game last about 3 hours.  At the end of play time, the team with the most points wins.  If, by chance, there is a tie, then the two teams compete in overtime play.  This is an additional 15-minute quarter, but the first team to score is declared the winner.

Players

Teams are divided into offense, defense, and special teams.  The offense includes the quarterback, the running backs, the center, offensive linemen, and wide receivers.  Their object is to move the ball across the field and cross the opposing team's end zone for a touchdown.  The defense includes defensive linemen, defensive backs, and linebackers.  They keep the other team's offense from moving the ball towards their end zone.  Special teams are used for punts, kick-offs, extra point conversions, and kick-off returns.

Gameplay

The game begins with a coin toss to determine which team kicks off and which team receives.  The receiving team tries to run the ball as far down the field as they can.  When the ball-carrier is tackled, the team's offense joins on the field.  The offense has four tries, called downs, to move the ball at 10 yard intervals.  If they reach the 10-yard point, they "gain a first down."  The ball can be moved by running it or by the quarterback throwing it to a receiver.  Once a team gains a first down, they get another four downs.  If they don't, the other team takes possession of the ball.

Scoring

There are four ways to gain points during a game.  1. An offensive player carries the ball into his opponent's end zone, or the quarterback passes the ball to a player in the end zone.  This is called a touchdown, worth 6 points.  2. After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a conversion.  The ball is either kicked through the goalposts for one point, or the scoring team tries to run or pass into the end zone like a touchdown, for 2 points.  This is called a conversion. 3. A kicker from the offensive team kicks the ball through his opponent's goalposts.  This is a field goal.  4. If the defense tackles a ball-carrier in their own end zone, the defense is awarded 2 points.  Occurring very rarely, this is called a safety.

Penalties

There are many rules in both high school, college, and professional football.  Rules apply to who you can tackle, when you can tackle them, how you can tackle them, who is allowed to throw the ball, and how long the offense has to start the play.