A Beginners Guide To NFL Football
Even if you don’t live in the US, Canada, or surrounding regions, and never watched a single game of American football, the chances are that you’ve probably heard of the NFL and Super Bowl at some point. Over time, NFL has become a staple in sports entertainment for millions of fans, and these days, it has even begun to gain popularity outside of North America.
Though there are many varying rules and nuances to NFL football, the basics, however, are fairly easy to explain and understand.
The Teams
The NFL is generally made up of 32 teams, divided into two divisions, called “conferences”, the National Football Conference (NFC), and the American Football Conference (AFC). The conferences are further divided into four regional divisions with four teams each.
During a game, there are 11 players per team, though for the whole season a maximum of 53 players can be recruited. 47 of those players are eligible to play in any single game.
The Matches
Throughout the year-long season, each team will play the other within its division in home and away games, with the rest of the 16 games forming part of a pre-determined schedule.
Matches are usually played on a Sunday, though this can often vary according to the season’s events and organisers. Each game is generally 60 minutes long, consisting of four 15-minute quarters. If the score is still tied after 60 minutes, the game can move into an additional 15-minutes of over-time to determine the winner.
Scoring Points
The goal of each team is to basically deliver the ball over a distance of 10 yards to the opposing side of the field, called “the endzone”, and score. A “touchdown” provides 6 points, with the option to extend the points by 1 or 2 with a goal kick or conversion. A two-point conversion is essentially another attempt at a touchdown, taken two yards out from the endzone.
Generally, a team with possession will start from huddle position and perform elaborate strategies and plays, passing or kicking the ball forward in order to advance it across the field. Otherwise, players can also attempt to kick a “field goal” through the goal posts, which will earn 3 points if successful.
In turn, the opposing team will attempt to defend the play, often with brutal force, and gain possession of the ball. Each team has four attempts before possession is automatically passed to the opposing side.
The Super Bowl
At the end of the season, the teams with the best record in each division will qualify for the playoffs, and out of those 12 teams, two will make it to the beloved final game, otherwise known as the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl has become known as one of the most popular, and spectacular, sporting events in all the US and North America, attracting masses of fans, as well as extensive coverage and advertising. Even online keno real money fans often opt for betting on the Super Bowl as it’s a bit like picking their lucky numbers too.
The opening ceremonies are also known for their elaborate shows and celebrity performances, with a ton of famous singers performing the national anthem over the years. Generally though, the massive affair and climactic ending, is all well-worth the wait.
