[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-424731-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":73,"doc-detail-424731-en":122},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":66,"head_meta":68,"extra_data":70,"updated_unix":72},105,"en","football-basics","Football Basics","","Football basics for first-time readers explain how teams win possession, advance the ball, and score by crossing the goal line into the end zone. It covers the roles of offense, defense, and special teams, plus the specific responsibilities of key positions such as quarterback, linemen, receivers, and defensive backs. It also outlines field dimensions, quarter timing, basic officiating structure, kickoff and first-down rules, and how running, passing, and tackling end or continue plays.",{"@graph":14,"@context":65},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/","Exam",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/football-basics/424731/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/football-basics/424731.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"acoobca","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-30","2026-09-28",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",7,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"What is a first down and how do downs work?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards. If it gains 10 or more yards, it earns another set of four downs; if it fails, it loses possession.","Answer","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":67,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":69,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":71,"site_id":7},424731,1791076961,{"code":4,"msg":74,"data":75},"success",[76,80,84,87,92,97,101,106,111,114,118],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":77,"show_sort_weight":78,"slug":79},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":81,"show_sort_weight":82,"slug":83},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":85,"slug":86},70,"exam",{"id":88,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":93,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":94,"show_sort_weight":95,"slug":96},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":55,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":98,"show_sort_weight":99,"slug":100},"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":102,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":103,"show_sort_weight":104,"slug":105},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":107,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":108,"show_sort_weight":109,"slug":110},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":109,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":112,"show_sort_weight":109,"slug":113},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":115,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":116,"show_sort_weight":115,"slug":117},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":119,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":120,"show_sort_weight":88,"slug":121},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":74,"data":123},{"doc_id":71,"user_id":124,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":125,"doc_module":4,"category_id":33,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":126,"file_id":127,"file_url":128,"file_type":129,"file_size":130,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":88,"language":131,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":132,"faqs":133,"seo_title":134,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":135,"read_time":136,"preview_page_count":4},3985747870733,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_a8503ba1806abce46bf441b54a3ca4cd","Football Basics  \nCheck here if you're new to football, having a difficult time following the games or if you just need to lookup some terms.  \nThe Basics of the Game  \nOne 11-man team has possession of the football. It is called the offense and it tries to advance the ball down the field-by running with the ball or throwing it-and score points by crossing the goal line and getting into an area called the end zone. The other team (also with 11 players) is called the defense. It tries to stop the offensive team and make it give up possession of the ball. If the team with the ball does score or is forced to give up possession, the offensive and defensive teams switch roles (the offensive team goes on defense and the defensive team goes on offense) . And so on, back and forth, until all four quarters of the game have been played.  \nThe Playing Field  \nThe field measures 100 yards long and 53 yards wide. Little white markings on the field called yard markers help the players, officials, and the fans keep track of the ball. Probably the most important part of the field is the end zone. It's an additional 10 yards on each end of the field. This is where the points add up! When the offense-the team with possession of the ball-gets the ball into the opponent's end zone, they score points.  \nThe Players  \nEach team has 3 separate units: the offense (see section below), those players who are on the field when the team has possession of the ball; the defense (see section below), players who line up to stop the other team's offense; and special teams that only come in on kicking situations (punts, field goals, and kickoffs) . Only 11 players are on the field from one team at any one time.  \nThe Offense  \nWhichever team has possession of the ball is the offense. While only the quarterback, the wide receiversand tight ends, and the running backs can legally handle the ball, it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker.  \nThe Offensive Players  \n􀁸 The quarterback (\"QB\") passes or hands off the ball.  \n􀁸 The center snaps the ball to the QB and blocks the defense.  \n􀁸 2 guards and 2 tackles keep the defense at bay.  \n􀁸 2/4 wide receivers catch the ball thrown by the QB.  \n􀁸 1 or 2 running backs take the ball and run with it.  \n􀁸 1 or 2 tight ends block the defense and can also catches passes.  \nThe Defense  \nThe job of the defense is to stop the offense. The 11 men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense's end zone.  \nThe Defensive Players  \n􀁸 Linebackers defend against the pass, and push forward to stop the run or tackle the QB.  \n􀁸 The defensive line (ends and tackles) battles head-to-head against the offensive line.  \n􀁸 Cornerbacks and safeties defend against the pass from the QB to the wide receiver and help to stop the run.  \nGame Play  \nTiming  \nGames are divided into four 12-minute quarters, separated by a break at halftime.  \nOfficiating  \nThe NYFL typically will have “4” officials at the game, 1 referee , 1 umpire and 2 linesman. A game may start with three officials if agreed upon by both teams.  \nThe Kickoff  \nA game starts with the kickoff. The ball is placed on a kicking tee at the defense's 40-yard line, and a special kicker (a \"placekicker\") kicks the ball to the offense A kick return man from the offense will try to catch the ball and advance it by running. Where he is stopped is the point from which the offense will begin its drive, or series of offensive plays. When a kickoff is caught in the offense's own end zone, the kick returner can either run the ball out of the end zone, or kneel in the end zone to signal a touchback-a sign to stop the play. The ball is then placed on the 20-yard line, where the offense begins play.  \nFirst Down  \nAll progress in a football game is measured in yards. The offensive team tries to get as much \"yardage\" as it can to try and move closer to the opponent's end zone. Each time the offense gets the ball, it has four ","cbCaiktt66LhRDoh","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiktt66LhRDoh","pdf",166885,"English","# The Basics of the Game\n## The Playing Field\n## The Players\n# Offensive Roles\n## The Offensive Players\n# Defensive Roles\n## The Defensive Players\n# Game Play\n## Timing\n## Officiating\n## The Kickoff\n## First Down\n## Moving the Ball\n## The Tackle","[{\"question\":\"What is a first down and how do downs work?\",\"answer\":\"The offense has four downs to gain 10 yards. If it gains 10 or more yards, it earns another set of four downs; if it fails, it loses possession.\"}]","Football Basics | PDF",1790635205,13]