What are the basic rules of the National Football League?

Answer 1

Well,

In the first round each team gets 10 mins to select their pick. The first team, which had the worst record from the previous year, goes first. They pick then the second and so on. In rounds 2-7 each team gets 5 mins to select their player. Teams can trade picks during the draft for other picks and players.

Answer 2

American Football Rules American football, not to confuse with soccer, is a very complete sport. Every aspect of sport is present: Stamina, strength, flexibility, speed, quickness, strategy, etc. These qualities are essential to be successful in football. = The Field = The dimensions are 100 yards long and 55 yards wide (a yard is approximately a meter: 1 yard = 3600/3937 meter or 1 yard = 0.914 401 8288 the dimensions are 100 yards long and 55 yards wide (a yard is approximately a meter: 1 yard = 3600/3937 meter or 1 yard = 0.914 401 8288 meter). The End Zones and goal posts are used to score points. There are lines across the field numbered from 50 to 10 from mid field. The lines are only used to determine the distance to the end zone. = The ball = This sport is called football because the ball measures exactly one foot in length (about 30 cm.) = General Rules: = The winner of a game is the team that scores the most points by the end of the game. The duration of the game is 60 minutes divided in 4 quarters. Usually a game lasts about 2 hours and a half because the time is stopped often. There are many ways to score: * Touchdown or TD (6 points) - Place a player of our team in the opponent's End Zone. * Field Goal (3 points) - Kick the ball through the opponent's goal posts. * Safety (2 points) - Tackle an opponent in his own End Zone. * Point after Touchdown or PAT (1 or 2 points). It is possible to add points to the board after a touchdown. To score again a touchdown adds 2 points or to kick the ball through the goal posts adds one point. Usually teams opt for the 1 point as it is probable to succeed than the 2 points transformation. (The 2 points is usually attempted when the team really needs the points) How to score? There are many options to move forward. It can be done by air or on the ground. * On the ground: A player runs with the ball as far as he can until he is tackled down. The Rugby is similar but there is a subtle difference: the teammates can help the runner to progress forward but blocking the opponents. This small difference brings so much strategy excitement. * By air: A player, with the ball, stays back while his teammates get open to receive the pass. (the most spectacular actions are the long passes) A football team is composed of 3 squads: the offense, defence and special team. It is very rare that a player takes part in both offense and defence. * The offense has the possession of the ball and tries to score * The defence has the task to defend against the aggressors. * Special team enters for special plays. We will talk about them next. The receiving team gets ready to receive the ball; the other team kicks the ball far into the opponent's territory. A player of the receiving team catches the ball and starts to run towards the opponent's end zone with the help of his teammates. Meanwhile, the team that kicked tries to tackle the ball carrier before he gains too much distance. The play is stopped when the ball carrier has at least a knee down. The special teams take care of this phase of game. (The most impressive collisions occur at that time). Both special teams exit the field. The receiving team is replaced by the offence (they have the ball now) and the kicking team by the defence (they protect). The blue offense on the right and the white defence on the left.

The squads are formed by very specialized players. Every play starts with a similar to the picture above. The offense has always the possession of the ball. Every play starts the same way. A player of the offense (centre) hands the ball between the legs to the Quarterback (captain of the offense). At that time the players are let loose and the action begins. = The Offense = * The quarterback (QB) has the option to hand the ball to the running back (RB) or to pass to a wide receiver (WR). * The men on the line (OL) have the responsibility to protect the quarterback or to help the running back to run through the defence. Every action phase, is thought before hand and every player knows where to go and what to do for the next 10 seconds of action. = The Defence = * The Defensive Backs (DB) does protect the field against long passes. They are the last barriers. They must be very quick to keep up with receivers and strong to tackle them. * The Linebackers (LB) stop the running backs (RB) and defend against short passes. * The Defensive lines (DL) battle in the trenches versus the offensive line. = The Special Team = * The Place kicker (PK) (not shown on the above picture) tries to place the ball between the goal post by kicking it. * The Punter (P) (not on the picture either) kicks the ball as far as he can. = Football is extremely strategic sport = Football is a physical and rough sport. It is true that the players are impressive with their helmet and equipment. They look like gladiators. However American football is not only a gladiator sport. It is governed by strict rules. Seven referees are present on the field to make sure that the rules are followed. The main interest of this sport lies on a few basic rules that I will try to explain. Now take a 30-sec. break, you will need it… In order to score a touchdown (TD), it is necessary to advance 10 yards (~10 meters). To gain 10 yards at once is very rare, so the gain of ground is done step by step. A team has 4 tries (downs) to cover 10 yards. If the team gains at least 10 yards in less than 4 downs then it can continue on its advance. On the other hand if it fails to gain 10 yards in 4 downs then the team must surrender the possession of the ball. If the team is in its field there is an option to prevent the other team to get the ball close to the end zone: On the last down a team can punt the ball as far as it can. The team loses the ball but at least the opponent will not have the too close to the end zone. Example: * 1st down and 10 (First try and 10 to go)

2 yards gain in the play * Second down and 8 (=10-2 yards).

5 yards gain in the play * Third down and 3 (=8-5 yards).

4 yards loss * Forth down and 7 (=3+4 yards).

5 yards gain.

The team needed 7 yards but got only 5 so the team loses the possession of the ball and become the defence Another example: * 1st and 10

5 yards gain * 2nd and 5

7 yards gain (Excellent!!! the team got the ten yards needed so it can continue with a fresh 1st and 10) * 1st and 10

30 yards gain (Once again!!! "First down!!") * 1st and 10

3 yards loss * 2nd and 13

no gain * 3rd and 13

5 yard gain * 4th and 8

what do we do now?

3 choices:

# If there are too many yards to gain for the 1st down then usually a team would choose to use the last down to punt (loose ball possession but get out of this unpleasant situation). It is not a great idea to loose the ball close to its end-zone # If the distance seems to be reachable then it tries to get it and gain another first down. # If the distance is too large but is close to the opponent's end zone, it can try a filed goal. Kick the ball between the goal posts.

* 8 yards is a relatively large distance so the good choice is to punt.

Answer 3

The basic rules can be found at the NFL website

Answer 4

See the related link "NFL Rules" below.