American football is played by two teams of eleven players each on a rectangular field. The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 15 minutes. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

Teams score points in American football by scoring touchdowns (worth six points) and by kicking field goals (worth three points) or extra points (worth one point). A touchdown is scored when a player carries the ball across the opponent’s goal line or catches a pass in the end zone. A field goal is scored when a player kicks the ball through the opponent’s goalposts from the field of play. An extra point is scored by kicking the ball through the opponent’s goalposts after a touchdown.

The main positions in American football are the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker, defensive back, and special teams. The quarterback is the leader of the offense and is responsible for passing or handing off the ball to a teammate. The running back is responsible for carrying the ball and running with it down the field. The wide receiver is a pass-catching specialist who runs routes to get open for passes from the quarterback. The tight end is a hybrid position that combines the responsibilities of a wide receiver and an offensive lineman. The offensive line consists of several big, strong players who protect the quarterback and create holes for the running back to run through. The defensive line is made up of big, strong players who try to tackle the ball carrier or disrupt the offense’s blocking schemes. The linebacker is a versatile player who can defend against both the run and the pass. The defensive back is responsible for covering receivers and intercepting passes. Special teams are responsible for kicking and receiving kicks, as well as various other duties on the field.

Teams advance the ball down the field in American football by running with it or by throwing it to a teammate. The offense has four downs (attempts) to move the ball at least 10 yards down the field. If they succeed, they get a new set of downs. If they fail, they must turn the ball over to the other team.

In American football, a forward pass is a pass thrown from behind the line of scrimmage (the starting position for each play). Forward passes are regulated by strict rules that govern where and when they can be thrown, as well as who can catch them. Only one forward pass is allowed per play, and it must be thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. Receivers must be at least one yard beyond the line of scrimmage when the pass is thrown, and they must have both feet in bounds when they catch the ball. If a team violates these rules, they can be penalized and lose yardage. Forward passes are an important part of the modern game of American football, as they allow teams to stretch the field and create big plays.