American football explains: basic rules for the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is not just a major event in the United States. In Germany, too, more and more people are following the sports event. In order to have a say in the most important football game of the year, we explain the most important rules.

Football rules - simply explained

The Super Bowl is a worldwide mega event and is becoming increasingly popular in Germany. The finale of the US professional league NFL is also famous for its famous half-time show. However, American football is not yet so common among us - which can lead to confusion about the rules. The sport is not that complicated.

First of all, the goal of the game is to get more points than the opposing team. The game is divided into four quarters, each with 15 minutes (pure playing time).

The playing field is 100 yards (approx. 91 meters) long and 53 yards (approx. 49 meters) wide and has end zones with high goals at both ends. In order to get points, space has to be conquered, i.e. the football egg has to be used to penetrate the other team's end zone.

There are eleven players on the field for each team, one going in offense (attacking) and the other in defense (having to defend himself).

Since there are an infinite number of rules in football, the game often looks chaotic at first to outsiders. However, the basic rules are easy to understand:

• There is the highest score for a touchdown . 6 points are awarded if a team manages to bring the ball into the opposing team's end zone or catch a pass within the end zone.
• Extra point : The team that scores the touchdown still has the chance to get another extra point if a player kicks the ball after the touchdown from the 15-yard line through the goal bars.
• Two Point Conversion : Is rarely used, but can be crucial when the score is tight. The team waived the kick to the extra point and played again (from the 2-yard line) on touchdown. If this succeeds, the team receives an additional 2 points.
• With the field goal, the player manages to kick the ball through the bars of the goal. The team gets 3 points.
• A first down is the attempt by the attacking team to overcome 10 yards within 4 turns. If they succeed, they are still in possession of the ball and get another first down.
• A punt usually takes place if the 10 yards are not reached within the first three attempts. If the fourth attempt fails, the opponent can attack from the current location. At the punt, the ball is shot as far as possible into the opposing half of the field. The opponent must then start his attack from further back.
• In order to get possession of the ball, the team playing in defense can try to intercept the other team's passports. If this succeeds, it is called interception and the right to attack changes.
• Another way to change the right to attack for your own benefit is the fumble, in which the player knocks the ball out of his hand.

Time of the game and other rules

Some peculiarities can confuse German viewers when watching an American football game. For example, time does not run continuously, as in football, but is always stopped. This can happen if the ball flies out or a pass does not arrive and touches the ground.

Other important rules also apply to pausing time:

• There are so-called time outs in football. Each team is free twice in the game to stop the time and to reconcile tactically.
• In addition, the time can be stopped by the so-called challenge . The coach standing on the edge of the field has a red bag in his hand. If he drops that, it means that an arbitrator's decision will be checked by video evidence.
• If there is no winner after the four quarters, overtime occurs . Another 15 minutes are played. The coin toss determines which team can attack. With a touchdown the goal is over immediately, with a field goal the opposing team takes possession of the ball again.
• These are far from all the rules, but should be enough to have a say in the game.

Important game positions that you should know

As in football, there are various positions in American football that occupy the players of a team.

• The most important thing is the quarterback. He decides which moves to play and is the conductor in attack. At the beginning of a turn, the ball is thrown at him and he keeps it, runs himself (rarely), hands it over or passes it on to other players.
• The center is in the front. He has the ball at the start of the turn and throws it through his legs to the quarterback.
• The running back is next to the quarterback and is responsible for running the ball through the defense. Like everyone else in the attack position, he can catch a pass and then run. Short passes on the running back are used as a tactical surprise.
• If the quarterback wants to play a long pass, the wide receiver is usually the one to catch it. He is supposed to carry the ball into the end zone or catch it there and thus achieve a touchdown.
• The tight end is supposed to take passes or try to block the defense.
• The players on the defense team are trying to prevent the offense from gaining space. At the start of the turn, they try to get the quarterback down before they can pass the ball.
• The video in the text above was provided to you by youknow. You can find more great explanatory videos on their YouTube channel.