What is American Football? Learn the rules, history, and how to play this exciting sport. Discover the NFL's biggest teams and how to watch games.
American Football is more than just a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon. In this hard-hitting game of strategy and strength, two teams battle to advance an oval ball down a 100-yard field to score points in the opponent's end zone. But that's easier said than done. Brutal tackles, complex plays, and strategic clock management can result in a turnover, a loss of yards, or a game-changing injury. Follow teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys as they compete for the ultimate prize: the Vince Lombardi Trophy in the Super Bowl. Will your team make it to the end? Or will they fall short?
The goal is to outscore your opponent within four 15-minute quarters.
Teams advance the ball by running with it or throwing it forward to a teammate.
They have four attempts, called "downs," to advance at least 10 yards.
Scoring happens by getting a Touchdown (6 points), Field Goal (3 points), or Safety (2 points).
American Football evolved from rugby and soccer in the late 19th century. Walter Camp, known as the "Father of American Football," helped create fundamental rules like the line of scrimmage, downs, and the scoring system.
You can watch American Football games on major TV networks like Fox, CBS, NBC, and ESPN. Live streaming is also available on services like NFL+, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Yes! American Football is played at youth, high school, collegiate, and professional levels worldwide. You can join a local team or even play flag football, a non-tackle version of the game.