Football game breakdown
Coin toss and kickoff
The game starts with a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss determines if they would like to receive the ball (offense) or kick the ball (defense). The other team picks which side of the field will be their goal to defend.
Once the coin toss is done and each team makes their choices, the teams returns to the sidelines and the coaches (yes, coaches, there’s one for almost every position) determines who will play on the field. Each team then takes to the field.
One team will play offense and the other defense. Offensive players are trying to score and defensive players are trying to keep the other team from scoring.
The offensive team consists of the quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, line men and running back. The defensive team consists of backs, safeties, and line men.
The defensive team kicks the ball to the offense. Once the offensive catches the ball, they have a choice to either run up field or kneel in the end zone to start on the 20 yard line. The ball is then positioned on the line of scrimmage. From this point, the players take their positions on the field.
On the line of scrimmage
The offensive team has four downs or opportunities to advance down the field by 10 yards. Once the team moves 10 yards down the field, they are given four more downs for another 10 yards. Their goal is to reach the end zone without running out of downs. The quarterback can hand the ball off or throw the ball down field. He has the help of the wide receivers, running backs, and tight end to get the ball down the field towards the end zone.
The defensive team’s main goal is to stop the offensive from making it to the end zone. They can do this by intercepting the ball, causing the team to fumble the ball, sacking the quarterback, or by simply tackling the player who has the ball.
If the offensive team doesn’t make it to the end zone within 4 downs, the ball is given to the defensive team. If the offensive team makes it to the end zone and have scored a touchdown or field goal, the ball is given to the defensive team. Once the other team has the ball, the cycle continues with the defensive team playing offense and the offensive team playing defense.