Watching your son or daughter on the flag (or tackle) football field may be the first time many of you have ever watched a full game of football. Sure you may attend the Super Bowl parties each year but you can admit you are more interested in the cheese dip and the commercials then then actual game itself.
For the football beginners out there start simple and take a look at these five terms that are commonly used within the game.
Touchdown- A score in football that is worth six points. This happens when a player on the offensive (sometimes defensive) team is able to get into the end zone of the opposing team. The touchdown is the holy grail of football and is ultimately what each team is striving for on each possession.
End Zone – As we just discussed above the end zone is where the player needs to be in order to score a touchdown. The end zone is at both ends of the field and is a 10 yard long area. In youth football it is sometimes difficult to determine where the end zone is but it is usually marked off by orange cones on the end :).
Down – This is one of the most confusing terms for beginners in football. When I attend Kaden’s games I often hear “how many times do they have the ball, or how does our team get the ball back?”. A down is a period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead. Typically the hiking of the ball starts the play and a tackle, or incomplete pass ends the play. One play is equal to one down. A team gets four downs to make it ten yards, if they do not accomplish this goal the other team gets the ball.
Interception – An interception is one of the most exciting defensive plays on the field. This happens when the defensive player catches the pass thrown by the ‘Quarterback, which is intended for the offensive player. The defensive player essentially intercepts the pass, hence the term interception. In some youth leagues play is stopped when the interception occurs and the player is not allowed to run. Typically when the ball is intercepted in the majority of leagues the player is allowed to run until he is tackled by the other team.
Fumble – Another term when the offense typically turns the ball over to the defense. A fumble occurs when the player carrying the ball drops the ball before he is tackled to the ground. A fumble can happen when you are handing the ball off, on a snap, or simply with the player that is carrying the ball. The defensive mind set is to go after the football and try to cause fumbles which is why you may see many defensive players “swatting” at the football.
Check back in with Mother and Son Sports for more Football Basics.
Stacey Atkinson