Summary of the Sport:
Rule: |
Description: |
Number of Players |
11 players per team on the field at any time. |
Object of the Game |
The object of the game is to score points by: 1) carrying the ball past opposition touch line (touch down), 2) kicking the ball through uprights (a field goal or convert depending on situation), 3) failure of a team to advance ball out of own endzone. |
The Ball |
Either option is allowed: 1) A prolate spheroid which is about 11 inches (28 cm) long and about 22 inches (56 cm) in circumference at the center and weighs around 0.875lbs. 2) The long circumference of the ball should be between 27¾ inches (705 mm) and 28¼ inches (718 mm), the short circumference should be between 20⅞ inches (530 mm) and 21⅛ inches (537 mm). |
Time Limit |
Two 30-minute halves with a 15-minute half time. The game clock stops frequently between plays. |
Number of Referees |
3 to 6 referees plus booth review |
The Field |
American Football fields only: Length: 120 yards (109.728 meters) in total (100 yards (91.44 meters) of playing field, with two 10-yard (9.144 meters) end zones) Width: 160 feet (48.768 meters) |
Protective Gear |
Helmet, Shoulder/Chest pad/protector, upper leg padding and mouthguard are rightfully required. |
Advancing the Ball |
Each team has 4 chances to either advance 10 yards or score (called Downs or Tackles). Running with the ball, kicking the ball, passing the ball laterally or backwards, passing the ball forwards (1 per down). |
Scoring Methods |
Touchdown (6) Field Goal (FG) (3/4) Conversion (C) (1/2/3) Safety (2) Rogue (Ro) (1) Single/Uno (Si/U) (1) |
North American Gridiron Field:
- Length is 100yd long plus two 10yd end zones.
- Width is 53.3yds.
- Goalposts are Tee-shaped and are located 10 yds from the goal line.
- 4 downs to make 10 yards.
- The ball is live under almost all circumstances during a legal play within bounds at any time during the game except for incomplete forward passes.
- Receivers need only one foot in bounds for a complete pass.
- All offensive and defensive backfielders can only weigh a max of 230 lbs / 104.33 kg.
- All offensive and defensive linemen can only weigh a max of 285 lbs / 124.74 kg.
- The ball is inflated to an air pressure of 12.5-13.5 psi (86-93 kPa).
- Length = 10.875 - 11.4375 inches (276.225 - 290.5125mm).
- Weight = 14-15oz (400-430g).
- Short circumference = 20.75 - 21.25 inches (527.05 - 539.75mm).
- Long circumference 27.75 - 28.5 inches (704.85 - 723.9mm).
- Laces = either 1) 4.375 inches long and 1.125 inches wide or 2) Eight laces equally spaced.
- Color & Texture = Natural Tan; Pebble-grained without corrugations.
- All offensive and defensive backfielders, except the quarterback, are allowed unlimited motion provided that they remain more than one yard behind the line of scrimmage, but the lineman may not move.
- Position of the Lineman = The Defensive line must line up 1 yard away from the Offensive line.
- If a team has possession of the ball within either one-yard line, the ball will be moved to the one-yard line.
- If the ball is fumbled out of bounds, the play ends with possession of the ball going to the team who had the last contact with the ball in bounds after the ball has completely left the possession of the fumbling ball carrier.
- Two 30-minute halves with a 15-minute half time; When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, the clock is stopped and time is not added on similar to american football.
- An offense has 45 seconds from the referee's signal to begin a play.
- Each Team has 3 timeouts per half.
- The official time clock runs continuously unless stopped when a time out is called by a team, or the referee stops play to allow opposing teams to align properly after a play.
- There is a mandatory play stoppage with 2 minutes remaining in each half.
- The clock is stopped after each play after the 2-minute warning in both halves.
- The penalty for allowing the play clock to run out is a loss of 5 yards with no loss of down both before and after the 2-minute warning.
- Teams can only punt on 4th down.
- All kickoffs occur from the kicking team's own 30 yard line.
- Kick or punt receivers must field all kicks and punts, with no exceptions.
- Punt or kick coverage teams must give a 5 yard empty zone around the opposing receiver until he has received the ball. This is called the No Yards rule.
- An unhandled ball from a place kick or punt may be legally recovered by either 1) the kicker or 2) any player behind the kicker at the time of the kick. In such a case, the player is exempt from the No Yards rule. Thus, a player from Team A may punt or kick the ball 40 yards, chase the ball upfield, then recover an untouched ball for a Team A first down.
- The ball is live under almost all circumstances during a legal play within bounds at any time during the game except for incomplete forward passes.
- An unhandled ball from a place kick or punt may be legally recovered by the kicker or any player behind the kicker at the time of the kick. In such a case, the player who recovers the ball is exempt from the No Yards rule.
- Running with the ball:
- Runner Down = A Player must be touched while on the ground unless it is a clearly willful knee or slide by a ball carrier, otherwise, the player may stand up and continue to advance the ball.
- Passing the ball backward/laterally.
- Passing the ball forward:
- Once per down, passer must not pass the Line of Scrimmage, only one foot is needed.
- The Defensive line can only hold up receivers within five yards of the Line of Scrimmage.
- 11–a –side; 46 players on each team's roster.
- Teams must dress no more than 42 players.
- Positions = C/NT, OG/DT, OT/DE, QB/S, RB/LB, FB/LB, TE/DHB, WR/CB, K.
- All players must play offense, defense, and special teams with the exception of the Kicker (K).
- Kicker = A combination of the kicker and punter positions (Kicks all of the field goals, conversions, kickoffs, and usually punts on 4th down).
- Coaches are allowed unlimited substitutions:
- For a player to be eligible for substitution, they must have played a minimum total of 8 possessions (4 offensive and 4 defensive or 32 plays) or has been injured; this applies to substitute players as well
- If a player enters and leaves, from the moment he leaves the player is considered "dead" and cannot return to play until the designated time is served.
- The time "dead" players must wait in order to eligible for a substitution is 8 possessions (4 offensive and 4 defensive or 32 plays) or if injury occurs.
- Dead players may participate in special teams situations (kickoffs/punts/conversions), or as long snapper or holder.
- At a minimum, all players must wear a football helmet, a set of shoulder pads, and a mouthguard; However, all players may wear additional padding such as thigh pads and guards, knee pads, and chest protectors.
- Similar to rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- QB/S, KP = 00-19.
- TB/LB, FB/LB, WR/CB, TE/DHB = 20-49 & 80-89
- C/NT, OG/DT, OT/DE = 50-79 & 90-99
- Touchdown (TD) (6)
- Field Goal (FG) (3; 4-if 50+yds): On a field goal attempt, the defending team may return a missed field goal to the kicking team's end zone for a Touchdown.
- Conversion (C) (1-kick, 2-5yd run/pass, or 3-10yd run/pass): On a convert attempt after a touchdown, the defending team may return a missed kick convert to the kicking team's end zone for 2 points, or if the convert was a rush or pass play may return a fumble or interception for 3 points.
- Safety (St) (2): Safeties are awarded to the defense if 1) the ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone in non special teams situations, 2) the ball becomes dead in the end zone, with the exception of an incomplete forward pass, and the defending team is responsible for it being there, 3) the offense commits a foul in its own end zone.
- After scoring a safety touch, the scoring team has the option of taking control of the ball and beginning play from their own 25-yard line, kicking the ball off from their 35-yard line, or accepting a kickoff from the 20-yard line of the team that conceded the score. If a kickoff is chosen it must be a place kick, and the ball can be held, placed on the ground, or placed on a tee prior to the kick. As in American football, the ball must go at least 10 yards before it can be recovered by the kicking team.
- Rogue (Ro) (1): Rogues are awarded to a kicking/punting team (Team A) if an opposing player (Team B); 1) catches or recovers a punt or a missed field goal in his own end zone but is prevented by Team A from returning the ball back out onto the field of play, 2) elects to drop to one knee while still in the end zone before having returned the ball to the field of play in special teams situations, 3) elects to wave for a fair catch, or 4) elects to run with the ball from the end zone out of bounds rather than enter the field of play.
- Single/Uno (Si/U) (1): Singles/Unos are awarded to the defense if; 1) they force an interception, 2) they recover a fumble, 3) they block a field goal, or 4) force a turnover on downs.