Ace of Spades

FOOTBALL

Overview:

A game played by two teams each of 11 players with an oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field having a Y-shaped goal post and a 10-yard end zone at either end. Each team tries to score points, mainly by running or passing plays (maneuvers) that move the football across the opponent's goal line. During a game, possession of te ball shifts from team to team. The team with the ball is the offense. The other team, the defense, tries to prevent the offense from scoring.

Scoring:

A team earns points by scoring A) a touchdown, B) a conversion, C) a field goal and D) a safety.

• Touchdown: A touchdown earns 6 points. The offense scores nearly all touchdowns. It does so by running the ball or catching a pass over the opposing team's goal line.
• Conversion: Immediately after a touchdown, the scoring team tries for a conversion, also called the extra point or point after touchdown (PAT). A kicker scores 1 point by place-kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights of the opponent's goal post.
• Field Goal: A field goal is worth 3 points. it is scored by place kicking the ball over the crossbar and between the uprights of the opponent's goal post.
• Safety: Only the defense can score a safety which counts 2 points. The defense earns a safety if it tackles the ball carrier in his own end-zone, if the ball carrier steps out of the back or side of his end zone, or if a blocked punt goes out of the end zone.

Players:

Players may be members of the offensive, defensive or special teams. Some players play on both offensive and special teams or defensive and special teams.

Officials:

There is a 7 member officiating crew which makes sure that the game is played according to the rules. Their uniform consists of white pants, a black and white striped shirt and a black cap with white stripes. The referee, the chief official, wears a white cap.