How to Learn to Play Football for Beginners

For beginners, one of the biggest obstacles to enjoying football is understanding the rules. Learning the basic rules can dramatically increase one’s enjoyment of the game. This article aims to address some common questions asked by those who want to learn how to play football, looking primarily at the technical side of the game, which is the foundation upon which everything else should be built.

Understanding the Basics

Football, often called "the beautiful game," is played between two teams, each consisting of 11 players. The goal is simple: to outscore the opposing team. This is achieved by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone to score a touchdown or kicking the ball through the goalposts for a field goal.

The Football Field

A standard football field is 120 yards long, rectangular, and can be made of grass or turf. The field of play is a little more than 50 yards wide and exactly 100 yards long, with two 10-yard end zones on either end. Just beyond each end zone are field goal posts. The small lines above the numbers that extend the field’s length are called hash marks. These hash marks get closer together the older the player gets.

Game Duration

NFL games are divided into four 15-minute quarters, separated by a 12-minute break at halftime. There are also 2-minute breaks at the end of the first and third quarters as teams change ends of the field after every 15 minutes of play. At the end of the first and third quarters, the team with the ball retains possession heading into the following quarter. That is not the case before halftime. Each offensive team has 40 seconds from the end of a given play until they must snap the ball for the start of the next play, otherwise, they will be penalized for delay of game. The clock stops at the end of incomplete passing plays, when a player goes out of bounds, when a penalty is called, or when a team calls a timeout (thus, it is very important for teams to save their timeouts). If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 15-minute overtime period will be played. In the NFL, this is sudden death and the first team to score wins.

Scoring

There are three main ways that a team can score in American football, with the highest number of points awarded when a player takes the ball into their endzone for a touchdown.

Touchdown: A touchdown is the biggest single score in a football game, worth six points. It is scored by crossing the goal line with the ball, whether by a throw or a run. Immediately following a touchdown, the ball is placed at the opponent’s two-yard line, where the offense has two options. Usually, the offense will kick an extra point, also called the point after touchdown, conversion, or PAT. If the offense successfully kicks the ball through the goal posts, it earns one point. The offense can also score two points by running or throwing the ball into the end zone in the same manner as you would score a touchdown.
Field Goal: If a team is unable to score a touchdown in four downs, on the fourth down, they can kick a field goal through the goal posts, which is worth three points. Field goals are often the deciding plays in the last seconds of close games. They can be attempted from anywhere on the field on any down, but generally are kicked from inside the defense’s 45-yard line on fourth down. For a field goal to be “good,” the placekicker (or field goal kicker) must kick the ball through the goal-post uprights and over the crossbar.
Safety: Another way a team can score points (while on defense) is by tackling a player of the opposing team in their end zone. If the offense is in possession of the ball and gets tackled in their own end zone, this is known as a safety, and it’s worth two points for the team on defense.

Gameplay Basics

Kickoff

A game starts with the kickoff. The ball is placed on a kicking tee at the defense’s 35-yard line, and a special kicker (a “placekicker”) kicks the ball to the offense. A kick return man from the offense will try to catch the ball and advance it by running. Where he is stopped is the point from which the offense will begin its drive, or series of offensive plays. When a kickoff is caught in the offense’s own end zone, the kick returner can either run the ball out of the end zone, or kneel in the end zone to signal a touchback - a sign to stop the play. All progress in a football game is measured in yards.

The Down System

To understand the rules of the game, first you must learn how the down system works. The offensive team tries to get as much “yardage” as it can to try and move closer to the opponent’s end zone. Each time the offense gets the ball, it has four downs, or chances, in which to gain 10 yards. If the offensive team successfully moves the ball 10 or more yards, it earns a first down, and another set of four downs. If the offense fails to gain 10 yards, it loses possession of the ball. The defense tries to prevent the offense not only from scoring, but also from gaining the 10 yards needed for a first down. If the offense reaches fourth down, it usually punts the ball (kicks it away). A football play begins with the snap. At the line of scrimmage (the position on the field where the play begins), the quarterback loudly calls out a play in code and the player in front of him, the center, passes, or snaps the ball under his legs to the quarterback.

Advancing the Ball

There are two ways for the offense to advance the ball.

Running: The first is called a run. This occurs when the quarterback either runs himself or hands the ball off to a running back, who then tries to gain as many yards as possible by eluding defensive players. During running plays, all other offensive players will try to block defensive players to clear a path for the runner. The defense prevents the offense from advancing the ball by bringing the ball carrier to the ground by a “tackle.” A player is tackled when any part of his body other than his feet or hands touches the ground. The play is then over.
Passing: The other alternative to running the ball is to throw it. Or as they say in football, pass it! Usually, the quarterback does the passing, though there are times when the quarterback my hand the ball to another player to pass in an effort to confuse the defense (i.e., making them think it’s a running play). Actually, anyone on the offensive team is allowed to pass the ball as long as the pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.

Turnovers

While trying to advance the football to the end zone, the offense may accidentally turn the ball over to the defense in one of two ways. When the ball carrier or passer drops the ball before he is tackled, that’s a fumble. Any player on the field can recover the ball by diving on it or he can run with it. The team that recovers a fumble either gets-or retains-possession of the ball. If a pass is caught by the defense, it is called an interception. Importantly, the play is not over once the ball has been intercepted. The defending player who made the interception can (and often does) turn right around and run the ball back down the field for an exciting touchdown.

Player Positions and Roles

Each team has 11 players on the field at all times. In professional games, players will specialize in one position on either offense, defense, or special teams. Different team members hold different positions and have different duties on the field.

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Offensive Positions

The offense is in charge of scoring touchdowns and field goals. The main goal of the offense is to score a touchdown.

Quarterback (QB): The quarterback is one of the most important players on the field. The quarterback is the leader of the team and the playmaker. The quarterback will hand the ball off to another player or throw the ball down the field.
Running Backs (RB): The running backs are often aligned directly behind the quarterback. Running backs often get tackled a lot and require physical and mental toughness.
Wide Receivers (WR): Wide receivers are players that line up wide to the outside. In today’s game, teams often throw the football 50+ times. This means wide receivers need to be fast and have good hands.
Tight Ends (TE): Tight ends are a mix between an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. These players often block but can also catch passes in a run play.
Offensive Line (OL): The offensive line is equally as important as the quarterback. These players are often the largest players on the field. The offensive line is composed of the center, who snaps the ball to the quarterback, two guards, and two tackles.

Defensive Positions

The defense is responsible for stopping the offense. The job of the defense is to stop the offense.

Defensive Line (DL): Like the offensive line, the defensive line is the biggest player on the defense.
Linebackers (LB): Linebackers in the NFL are often the toughest players on the field.
Defensive Backs (DB): The last defensive position is the defensive back. Cornerbacks and safeties defend players trying to receive a pass or trying to run the ball down the field past the defensive line.

Special Teams

The 3rd and final part of the game is the special teams.

Kicker: Every game starts with a kickoff. The kickoff receiving team will catch the football and run it back as far as possible. There are large yellow field goalposts at the end of each football field. The process includes a player holding the football, placing it on a tee or the ground, and another player kicking the football.
Punter: The first special teams unit is the punt team. For example, if the offense is in a situation where it is 4th down, instead of trying to get the first down, they will punt the football.

Penalties and Flags

Penalties, called “flags,” occur to punish rule violations. Penalties are indicated by referees, who throw yellow flags onto the field when they see a violation. This lets everyone on the field know that a penalty has been called. Penalties normally result in the offending team (could be either offense or defense) losing between 5-15 yards of field position. Common penalties include the false start, which is a 5-yard penalty, or holding, which is a 10-yard penalty. Defensive penalties include holding, pass interference and roughing the passer, a 15-yard penalty that happens when a defense player illegally contacts the quarterback either during or after a throw.

Essential Skills

Football is all about mastering a few core techniques.

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Passing: Passing is crucial for teamwork. Use the inside of your foot for short, accurate passes and your laces for long passes.
Dribbling: Dribbling allows you to control the ball while moving. Keep the ball close to your feet, and use your stronger foot for better control. Running with the ball - take bigger touches whilst running with the ball under control.
Shooting: To score goals, learn to strike the ball with power and accuracy. Ball Striking - A football can be kicked in a number of different ways. Striking with power or creating a curl on the ball using different surfaces of your feet to gain the desired outcome. The key here is the part of the football that is struck along with body position and follow through.
Controlling the Ball: Master the art of receiving the ball under various conditions. First Touch - Being in control as soon as the ball arrives is vital to keep the ball and make the best decision for your team. You must learn to control that first touch as the ball comes to you on the floor, in the air, at various speeds and angles. At the start it will probably just bounce off your feet but over time you will learn how to caress the ball and move it in the area where you want whether that is dead at your feet, in front, side or even behind you.
Tackling: Tackling is essential for regaining possession. Practice tackling with good technique - keep your head up and shoulders forward. This helps prevent injuries to you and others.
Ball Mastery: This is all about ball manipulation and control.
Turning: The ability to turn your body with and without the football.
Quick Feet: The pace at which your feet move can be the decisive factor to beat an opponent. Developing quick reflex action with anticipation to make the ball do what you want at speed.
Passing: Giving the ball to a teammate. Using the various surfaces, you will move the ball at various angles and speeds.

Equipment

Every football player, by rule, must wear the proper equipment to play. The first and most noticeable piece of equipment is the helmet. Helmets are worn to fit the player’s head, and the facemask is often adjusted based on the player’s position. For example, wide receivers need more of an open-face mask to catch the football. Before helmets, football players used to wear leather caps. Shoulder pads are another noticeable piece of equipment for a football player. Shoulder pads help protect the shoulders, as well as the breastplate. The girdle is worn under the game pants to protect these areas starting with the hips and tailbone. The girdle holds three pads: 2 hip pads and a tailbone pad. Players used to have to put their pads in a girdle. Over the girdle, football pants are worn with slots for pads to be placed. Thigh pads are often thick, bulky pads that help absorb direct impact from other players. While cleats aren’t mandatory for players to play football, they’re highly encouraged. Over-the-shoulder pads and football jerseys are worn on game day. Football numbers are essential, as players must fall into a certain number page based on their position. This helps the referees determine who can catch the football and who can’t.

Practicing and Improving

Soccer can be practiced in a variety of ways, but it is very important to get the most out of any training session. Technique can be tricky to master hence often it is easiest to start alone in an unopposed environment. Break the technique down into understandable chunks and build them back up. It is very similar to learning to play a musical piece where you learn to master one bar at a time but being mindful of the end goal. With technique, it is all about repetition and purposeful practice to building up that muscle memory and brain circuitry.

Running with the ball using both feet and 2 surfaces.
Learn to move the ball side to side incorporating turns and skills working off both feet.
A skill combination using multiple techniques with a final shot at the end.

Once you feel comfortable with the skills and techniques, start trying them out in an opposed environment and matches. Often it will be second nature as the muscle memory will kick in allowing you to concentrate more on building up the pictures and decision making. By far the best way to get better at playing football is to practice regularly. Practice with your team if at all possible. This guide only lists the most basic elements of play. Team formations and strategies go far beyond the information presented here. Watching professional teams play is one of the best ways you can learn the more complex elements of the game.

Additional tips for improvement

Build your athleticism by training regularly. Football requires strength, endurance, and agility.
Study playbooks and strategies so you understand formations and plays.
Communicate with teammates on the field.
Throw accurate passes by aiming for open receivers not covered by defense.
Stay focused on your goals for each play throughout the game.
Football is a rough sport, so get ready to be hit.
To keep the ball secure when running, place the palm of one hand the tip of one side of the ball, and put the other tip in the fold of the inside of your arm where your elbow is. Then draw that arm in so the ball is against your body tightly. When you're about to get hit by another person, place your free hand on top of the ball and hold on tight. Catch the ball away from your body, with your hands, then draw it close.

Mental Attitude and Sportsmanship

Football is as much about mental attitude as it is about physical ability. Always respect the referee's decisions and opposing players. Celebrate goals and encourage teammates, even in tough situations.

Youth and College Football

In America, there are four main American football leagues for all ages. Widely popular in America, college football is played on Saturday and has some of the oldest rivalries to date. High school football is played on Friday nights and features high school students aged 14-18. Youth football draws players who are 7-12 years old. These leagues may range from flag football leagues to full contact.

Is it Easy or Difficult to Learn How to Play Soccer?

On one side, the beauty of the game is that it is simple by nature, so it can be played by all ages and abilities. The game, however, becomes more complex as the level increases just like any sport.

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