You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand (American) football. Of course, it has a language of its own and there are more rules to learn than in some of the other major spectator sports like baseball, basketball and hockey. But the good news is that, with a little patience and a little desire, you can learn soccer.
Whether you’ve never seen a game in your life and have been wondering what all the fuss is about (and there is a lot), or you’ve watched a game or two and given up because you just don’t get it, the bottom line is , you can do it!
Since trying to explain the game is way beyond the scope of this article, let me start with some basics, so that the next (or first) time you turn on the TV to watch a game, you’ll have some understanding of what’s going on. is showing on the screen or what the commentators are saying:
The score of the game is shown, so if for example it shows as Chicago 7, Detroit 0, you know that Chicago is winning 7 – 0
The time remaining in the quarter (there are four quarters in a game) is shown as running out, so if it shows as 12:38, you know there are twelve minutes and thirty-eight seconds left to play in the quarter (every quarter in a professional game it lasts for fifteen minutes as dictated by the game clock). The room the game is in is also shown, i.e. 2nd.
The down and the number of yards to go for a first down are displayed; this requires a little explanation. Each time a team gains possession of the ball (is on offense), they are given a series of four play, low calls to advance the ball at least ten yards. The first move in the series is first down, the second is second down, etc. If he is able to advance the ball at least ten yards on the series, he is awarded a new series of attempts beginning with the first attempt. If you can’t advance the ball at least ten yards, you may have to give up possession of the ball. The down and number of yards to go for a first down is shown, ie 3 and 7, which means it is a third down, and the offense needs to advance the ball at least seven more yards for a first down.
When the commentators say they are “moving the chains”, it means that a team has made a first attempt. The chains they refer to are two posts connected by a ten-yard chain, held along the sidelines; one chain is located where a series begins and the other, where the Offense must move the ball to make a first down. Every time a team makes a first down, the chains move forward, “moving the chains”.
The yellow line on the screen that crosses the field is not actually on the field, but is the result of modern technology. It shows viewers where the Offense needs to advance the ball for a first down.
The number of seconds the Offense must start the next play (as dictated by the play clock) is sometimes shown decreasing, i.e. 4…… This means the Offense has four seconds to start the next play. move; otherwise, he incurs a penalty (an infraction of the rules). The Offense has 40 seconds at the end of one play to start the next.
Whenever you see the word “FLAG” or hear the commentators say that there is a flag in the play, it means that one of the players (of either team) has committed a penalty.
