A Brief History:
American Football evolved from a combination of Rugby and Soccer in the mid 1800’s.
The game was played informally at Harvard on the first day of school each year. The first college football game was played
between Princeton University and Rutgers College on November 6th, 1869. Rutgers College won the game 6 goals to 4.
From the first game between Princeton University and Rutgers College the game has evolved. Rule changes have been made
which changed the number of players from 15 on a side to 11. The number of downs has changed from 3 to make five yards to
four to make ten yards. The forward pass was legalized.
The game of American Football has grown into one of the most popular games in the United States today.
The Basics:
Football is played between two teams with 11 players each. (8 Man Football is also played)
The playing field is 120 yards long, 100 yard playing surface with a 10 yard end zone at each end of the field. The field
is broken down into 10 yard segments. The field is 531/3 yards wide. At the end of each end zone is a set of Goal Posts. The
High School Goal Posts are 23’ 4" wide, 30’ tall with a cross bar 10’ off the ground.
Although a football is also called a pigskin, the ball is made from leather or a synthetic compound such as rubber.
The object of the game is for the offense to score points and the defense to stop them. Points can be scored by offense
by either running or pass & catch the football in the end zone OR by kicking the ball between the goals posts above the
cross bar. The defense can score points by running the ball into the end zone via turnover (A fumble or Interception) or via
a safety (stopping the offense in the offense’s end zone.
Point Values are:
- Touchdown = 6 Points
- Point After Touchdown = 1 Point for a Kicking the ball between the goal posts (2 points for Youth Football) or 2 Points
for Running or pass/catch in end zone (1 Point For Youth Football.)
- Field Goal = 3 Points
- Safety = 2 Points
The game is divided into quarters. 15 minutes each for pro and college football, 12 minutes each for high school football
and 8 or 10 minutes each for Youth Football. Between the 2nd and 3rd quarter there is a halftime period.
The team with the most points at the end of four quarters wins. If a game is tied an overtime period is played.
- In Pro Football the overtime period is one additional 15 minute quarter. The game is over when one of the teams scores
either a touchdown, field goal or safety. This is known as sudden death overtime. If neither team scores in the quarter the
game ends in a tie.
- In College and High School Football, the teams play what is called a Kansas Plan overtime. In the Kansas Plan teams are
given possession of the football on the 25 yard line. They attempt to score points via touchdown or field goal. After each
team has at least one possession, the team with the most points wins. If the teams are still tied the teams play another round
of Kansas Plan until there is a winner.
- In Youth Football, the Kansas Plan starts at the 10 yard line and each team is given four plays to score. If the teams
are still tied after each team has been given a possession, the game ends in a tie.
Rules of the Game:
Youth Football uses the NFHS Rulebook. Youth football has a few rules which
are different than the High School Rules. Examples of this are the ball carrying weight limit and the points after touch down
rule. For ball carriers the weight limits are:
- 2nd, 3rd and 4th Graders 100 Pounds
- 5th and 6th Graders 120 Pounds
- JV 140 Pounds
- Varsity 170 Pounds
The rules between High School, College and Professional Football are quite different. For parents new to Youth Football
the difference between the rules we see on TV and the rules kids play under are sometimes quite daunting. There is an actual
publication for High School Official’s which details the 196 rule differences between High School and College Football.
Who knows how many differences there are between High School Football and Professional Football.
For example:
The Defensive Pass Interference rule in Professional Football is a spot foul. In other
words, the ball is placed at the spot of the Interference. In High School a 15 yard or half the distance to the goal line
penalty is enforced.
In College and Professional Football if a pass is deemed ‘un-catch-able’ there is no Pass Interference. In
High School Football there is no such thing as an un-catch-able pass.
Defensive Encroachment, where the defense jumps into the ‘neutral zone’. In Professional Football, there is
no penalty if the defense gets back before the ball is snapped. In High School Football, the play is sopped and a 5 yard penalty
is enforced.
These are just a few of the differences, there are at least 193 more differences in the rules! To learn more about the game of football, please click here.
