American Football Rules

Master the game behind the fantasy - from touchdowns to tackles, learn what makes football America's favorite sport

The Basics

American Football is a strategic battle between two teams of 11 players each, fighting for territory on a 100-yard field. The goal? Advance the ball into the opponent's end zone to score points.

Game Time
4 Quarters

15 minutes each

Total Game Time:60 minutes
Halftime:12-15 minutes
Overtime:15 minutes max
The Field
120 Yards Total

100 yards + 2 end zones

Field Length:100 yards
Field Width:53⅓ yards
End Zones:10 yards each
Team Size
11 vs 11

Players on field per team

Active Roster:46 players
Total Roster:53 players
Substitutions:Unlimited

Scoring System

How teams put points on the board

Touchdown
6

Points

Ball crosses the goal line into the end zone

Field Goal
3

Points

Ball kicked through the uprights

Safety
2

Points

Tackle opponent in their own end zone

Extra Point
1-2

Points

After touchdown: kick (1pt) or play (2pt)

How the Game Works

The fundamental mechanics of American football

Downs System

Teams have 4 attempts (downs) to advance the ball 10 yards and earn a new set of downs.

1st DownFresh set of 4 attempts
2nd & 3rd DownContinue advancing
4th DownPunt or go for it
Play Clock

Teams have limited time to start each play and manage the game clock strategically.

Play Clock40 seconds
Timeouts3 per half
Two-Minute WarningAutomatic timeout

Key Positions

The most important fantasy football positions

Quarterback (QB)

The field general who throws passes and leads the offense

Primary Role:Pass the ball
Fantasy Value:Very High
Running Back (RB)

Carries the ball and catches passes out of the backfield

Primary Role:Run the ball
Fantasy Value:High
Wide Receiver (WR)

Catches passes and runs precise routes downfield

Primary Role:Catch passes
Fantasy Value:High

Fun Football Facts

Impress your league mates with these amazing American football trivia and statistics

Money
Super Bowl Economics

The average cost of a 30-second Super Bowl commercial in 2024 was $7 million!

Time
Game Duration

Despite being 60 minutes of game time, the average NFL game lasts about 3 hours and 12 minutes.

Records
Field Goal Record

The longest field goal in NFL history is 66 yards, kicked by Justin Tucker in 2021.

Fantasy
Fantasy Football

Over 50 million people play fantasy football in North America, making it a $7+ billion industry.

Viewership
Global Reach

The Super Bowl is watched by over 100 million people in the US and broadcast in over 180 countries.

Speed
Speed Demons

The fastest recorded speed by an NFL player is 23.24 mph, achieved by Tyreek Hill in 2016.

History
Perfect Season

Only one team has ever completed a perfect undefeated season: the 1972 Miami Dolphins (17-0).

Stats
Scoring Evolution

NFL teams now average 23.4 points per game, compared to 16.9 points per game in the 1970s.

Origins
Invention Origins

American football evolved from rugby and soccer in the late 1800s, with the first game played in 1869.

Did You Know?

The NFL season consists of 18 weeks with each team playing 17 regular season games. The playoffs then determine which two teams will face off in the Super Bowl - the biggest single sporting event in America!

32
NFL Teams
272
Regular Season Games
1
Super Bowl Champion