American football

American football, also known as gridiron football or simply football in the United States and Canada and also known as rugby football in some countries, is a family of football team sports primarily played in the United States and Canada. It is a collision sport which features a combination of speed, strength, and strategy.

The origins of American football can be traced back to the early versions of rugby and association football (soccer) that were played in the United States in the mid-19th century.

The first recorded instance of a game resembling American football was played between Princeton and Rutgers Universities on November 6, 1869. This game, known as the "College Football Bowl," is considered to be the first intercollegiate football game in the United States.

The rules of the game at that time were very different from the modern version of American football, but it is considered to be the starting point for the sport as it is known today.

The first official rules for American football were written by Walter Camp, known as the "Father of American Football," in 1876. The sport continued to evolve over the next several decades, with many changes made to the rules and the introduction of new strategies.

It's worth to mention that a form of football, known as "Mob Football" or "Shrovetide Football" had been played in England and other parts of Europe for centuries prior, it was played with a ball made of an inflated pig's bladder, and the objective of the game was to carry the ball to a designated spot or goal.

The objective of the game is to advance an oval-shaped ball down the field, by either throwing it or running with it, and to score points by crossing the opponent's goal line with the ball, or kicking the ball through a set of upright goals. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

The following are some of the key terms and concepts associated with American football:

• Down: A play in American football. The offense has four downs (i.e. four chances) to advance the ball 10 yards down the field. If they succeed, they get another set of four downs. If they fail, the other team takes possession of the ball.

• Line of Scrimmage: An imaginary line that runs across the width of the football field at the spot where the ball is placed at the start of each play.

• Snap: The action of the center player who starts the play by passing or snapping the ball backwards to the quarterback or other player behind him.

• End zone: A 10-yard long scoring area at each end of the field, where a team can score a touchdown.

• Touchdown: A touchdown is scored when a player carries the ball across the opponent's goal line or catches a pass in the end zone. A touchdown is worth 6 points.

• Field goal: A field goal is scored when the ball is kicked through the opponent's goal posts. A field goal is worth 3 points.

• Safety: A safety is scored when the ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone. A safety is worth 2 points to the opposing team.

• Blocking: Blocking is the action of physically keeping defenders away from the ball carrier, either by pushing or holding them.

• Tackling: Tackling is the act of bringing down the ball carrier.

• Penalty: A penalty is a disciplinary action against a team for breaking a rule. Penalties can result in a loss of yardage, or even points.

• Timeout: A timeout is a break in the action called by a team or the official to stop the clock. Each team has three timeouts per half.