This lesson gets you started in the basics of football. All words in italics can be clicked on to get the definition, then click the back button to get back here..

Get Started: Each team has an offensive unit and a defensive unit. The offense and defense each has eleven players. The offense tries to move the ball down the field and score points. They try to get a touchdown or a field goal. Obviously the team with the most points at the end of the game wins. So the offense tries to get as many touchdowns as they can and the defense tries to stop them. That is the simple part. How the offense and defense try to reach their goal is the tricky part.

Offense: The offense uses many different formations to set their players to start a play. The quarterback calls plays and leads the team. The can handoff or pass the ball to a running back or full back. He can pass to a wide receiver or tight end. The linemen, tackles, guards and a center, block for the quarterback and running backs. When a play is run all players work together to move the ball.

The offensive formation many times can tell you if they are going to pass or run the football. The formation can also tell you what side of the field the play might be run. Offenses use extra wide receivers when they need to pass the ball, or extra blockers and running backs when they need to run the ball.

Teams use different strategies to try and score. Some teams like to run the ball more than pass. Some teams prefer to pass. This all depends on the type of players a team has and the style of play the coach like to use.

Defense: The defense uses different players to help stop the offense. The defense uses ends, tackles and nose guards to stop the run. Linebackers help in runs and passes. Cornerbacks try to stop passes. The strong safety helps against passes and runs. The safety prevents long plays.

The defensive formation usually matches up with the offense. But the defense can try to do different strategies to stop the offense. The defense can move players around to cause the offense problems. Defenses add extra lineman or backs if they think the offense is going to run or pass.

Kicking: Teams also must kick the ball. They use another set of players call special teams. To start the game there is a kickoff. When the offense cannot move the ball they punt. After a score the scoring team kicks an extra point. The offensive team may try a field goal to score points. These are specific formations and need special players called kickers and punters.

Rules: There are rules and procedures to follow like in any sport. Breaking a rule is called a penalty. The team that gets call for a penalty usually looses yardage. Some examples of penalties are: holding, clipping, interference, and off sides.

Formations: Look at some of the different formations for the offense and the defense. Next time you watch a game see if you can identify these and tell your friends what the formation is. Be your own play-by-play announcer!

Now after you have investigated the football basics test your knowledge with the Football Challenge.

Go to any of the next lessons to learn in more detail about each of the sections.

Offense
Defense
Special Teams
Strategies
Rules
Formations
Quizzes