The game officially starts when one team kicks the ball to the other. To choose which side will kick the ball, the captains of each team gather in the field’s middle with the referee. The coin toss winner decides whether they want to be on offence first or defence by choosing whether to kick the ball to the opposing team or receive it from them.
The receiving team must catch the ball and move it toward the other end of the field, toward the opposing team’s end zone. When the ball touches the ground or leaves a lot of play, the play, or down, is over. The line of scrimmage is established at the spot where the ball is touched down and is where the ball is placed to begin the next play. Four attempts, or downs, are given to the offence to gain 10 yards or more. The play continues until the offence scores, or the defence regains control of the ball. After gaining 10 yards, the offence is given four additional chances to gain ten or more yards.
Techniques for Scoring
To score a touchdown is the offence’s primary objective. A player must carry the ball over the opposing team’s goal line or catch a pass in the end zone to score a touchdown. A touchdown is achieved when the ball is in a player’s possession and crosses the goal line’s plane. The value of a touchdown is six points. The benefit of attempting to score one or two extra points is given to the team that scores a touchdown. These are referred to as attempts at different points.
If a team decides to attempt two extra points, they will line up at the two-yard line and try to run or pass the ball into the end zone once. The squad get two points if they succeed. No more points are given if the team fails to make it. By kicking the ball through the goalposts from the fifteen-yard line, the team can also choose to go for just one extra point.
Another way for a team to score in the game is through field goals. The value of a field goal is three points. A team may try for a field goal on fourth down if they believe their team’s kicker is in a good position to place the ball between the upright bars of the goal post in the opponent’s end zone.
Kinds of Kicks
The game officially starts when one team kicks the ball to the other. Teams kick the ball from their 35-yard line in the NFL.
Onside Kick: An onside kick is a frequent modification of the standard lift, in which the kicking team kicks the ball a short distance to regain possession of it. On a kickoff, the ball is a live ball and can be picked up for control by either team once it has travelled ten yards.
Squib Kick: A squib kick is a low, bouncing kick. Although a squib kick typically gives the receiving team a better field position than a regular kick, it can also be used to waste valuable clock time and prevent a potentially long return.