Quick jump:
* The Washington Redskins are poked and prodded by Mike Carlson in his latest Coast to Coast column * Mike Carlson looks back over his 2008 mock draft on nflukTV * Keith Webster compares the IPL with potential future developments in American football * Neil Reynolds examines the NFL's worst-to-first history * Mike Carlson looks at the Cleveland Browns - and all the draft news - in Coast to Coast * Keith Webster reviews the NFL Draft
About the Game
Know all about the NFL
Want to know more about the NFL and the sport of American football? It's all here in About the Game, from our quick-check guide on all 32 teams to a history of the world's biggest sports league.
Rules and A to Z sections will clear up any questions you might have about the NFL action, while you can also learn more about the Super Bowl.
Our official links page will take you to the heart of the NFL and offer fans in the UK speedy access to official NFL websites in the USA, as well as official sites for all 32 teams.
Finally, the Frequently Asked Questions section covers every aspect of the sport and if you still have a question, you can contact the NFL to get your query answered.
Want to know more about the NFL and the sport of American football? It's all here in About the Game, from our quick-check guide on all 32 teams to a history of the world's biggest sports league.
Rules and A to Z sections will clear up any questions you might have about the NFL action, while you can also learn more about the Super Bowl.
Our official links page will take you to the heart of the NFL and offer fans in the UK speedy access to official NFL websites in the USA, as well as official sites for all 32 teams.
Finally, the Frequently Asked Questions section covers every aspect of the sport and if you still have a question, you can contact the NFL to get your query answered.
Rules
Rules
At first glance, newcomers to American football see 22 very big men pounding the living daylights out of each other before taking a quick breather and then continue the beatings for three painful hours.
However, while initially looking complex, American football is relatively easy to follow and involves a high degree of tactics as players attempt to out-think the opposition in a sport that actually requires as much mental guile, speed of thought and skill as brute strength and muscle.
Read on to discover more in NFLUK.com's guide to the rules of American football – a thrilling sport often described as an extremely violent version of Chess.
What is the aim of the game?
To score more points than the opposition.
How is this achieved?
Teams attempt to move the ball downfield by one of two methods:
What are the key rules on passing plays?
What are the key rules on running plays?
The Defence
The defence tries to prevent the offense not only for scoring, but also from gaining 10 yards needed to pick up a first down. If the offense reaches fourth down, it will usually punt the ball away, forcing the opponents to begin their drive further down the field.
There are two quick ways for a defence to get the ball back from the opposing offense:
Fumble recovery – a fumble occurs when the ball carrier or passer drops the ball on the ground. Any player can recover the ball by diving on it or he can pick it up and run with it. The team that recovers the fumble gets possession of the football. (Note: It is not a fumble when a wide receiver drops a pass. A fumble only occurs when the ball is dropped after the player has gained full control of the football).
Interception – an aggressive defence can regain possession of the ball for their offense by catching (intercepting) passes meant for players on the other team.
Fumble recoveries and interceptions (known as turnovers ) can be run back into the opposing team's end zone for touchdowns.
RulesAt first glance, newcomers to American football see 22 very big men pounding the living daylights out of each other before taking a quick breather and then continue the beatings for three painful hours.
However, while initially looking complex, American football is relatively easy to follow and involves a high degree of tactics as players attempt to out-think the opposition in a sport that actually requires as much mental guile, speed of thought and skill as brute strength and muscle.
Read on to discover more in NFLUK.com's guide to the rules of American football – a thrilling sport often described as an extremely violent version of Chess.
What is the aim of the game?
To score more points than the opposition.
How is this achieved?
Teams attempt to move the ball downfield by one of two methods:
- Running the ball
- Passing the ball
What are the key rules on passing plays?
- There may only be one forward pass per play
- A receiver who has been forced off the pitch by a defender cannot catch the pass as he runs back onto the field
- Receivers must have control of the football and get both feet down in the field of play to have completed a 'catch'
- Defenders can touch receivers and tight ends within the first 5 yards of the line but any contact after that is deemed illegal and will result in a penalty
- The quarterback must be behind the line of scrimmage to attempt a pass
- Team mates are allowed to block opposing defenders to protect the quarterback as he passes downfield and to create running room for a receiver after he catches the ball
What are the key rules on running plays?
- A running back can complete as many lateral passes (as in rugby) as he likes, although this is considered a risky act in the NFL
- Team mates are allowed to block opposing defenders to create running lanes for a ball carrier, but they cannot block defenders in the back or from behind
- When a quarterback runs beyond the line of scrimmage it is considered a running play and he can no longer throw a forward pass
The Defence
The defence tries to prevent the offense not only for scoring, but also from gaining 10 yards needed to pick up a first down. If the offense reaches fourth down, it will usually punt the ball away, forcing the opponents to begin their drive further down the field.
There are two quick ways for a defence to get the ball back from the opposing offense:
Fumble recovery – a fumble occurs when the ball carrier or passer drops the ball on the ground. Any player can recover the ball by diving on it or he can pick it up and run with it. The team that recovers the fumble gets possession of the football. (Note: It is not a fumble when a wide receiver drops a pass. A fumble only occurs when the ball is dropped after the player has gained full control of the football).
Interception – an aggressive defence can regain possession of the ball for their offense by catching (intercepting) passes meant for players on the other team.
Fumble recoveries and interceptions (known as turnovers ) can be run back into the opposing team's end zone for touchdowns.