In football, there are always rules, actions, and steps on how to win a game. They can include penalties, how to win, the strategy to win, and sudden death rules. Here are some things to keep in mind when on the field.

Penalties (Offense):

In football, penalties can be critical to a victory on the field while on offense.  They can be the difference in the winning touchdown, field goal, or simply just attempting to get a first down. Here are some penalties offensive players should keep in mind.

Offsides: A penalty that is called when an offensive player steps over the line of scrimmage before the play happens. This penalty is usually called mostly on lineman, but anyone can get called for it.

Delay Of Game: This penalty is called when the shot clock hits zero and the ball is not in the Quarterback’s hands. The penalty is usually called on the Center, or Quarterback depending on the referee (Game Official).

Holding: This play is called when a player grasps ahold of their opponent’s jersey and makes the player immobile.  This play can be called on everyone except Kickers and the Quarterback because they usually are the ones being protected.  

Facemask: This play can be on both offense and defense. A Facemask is when someone grabs onto their opponent’s iron bars on their helmet.

Hands In The Face: This is another penalty that can happen on both offense and defense. This penalty is called when a Safety, Strong Safety, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, or Tight End puts their hands in their opponent’s face. This differs from face masking and holding because they aren’t holding a jersey or grasping a helmet, but are limiting another players vision.

Penalties(Defense):

On defense, penalties can be critical as well.  It could give your opponent’s team a first down and get them that much closer to a touchdown. Here are some defensive penalties a referee can call.

Late hit: This can be called in four different ways. One, a defensive lineman tackles a quarterback well after the ball is out of his hands. Two, a defensive player hits the Quarterback while sliding, which is call because the Quarterback can’t defend themselves. Three, after an offensive player is well in the end zone and gets hit. Or four, an offensive player gets hit after being well out of bounds.

Hands In The Face (Again): This is another penalty that can happen on both offense and defense. This penalty is called when a Safety, Strong Safety, Cornerback, Wide Receiver, or Tight End puts their hands in their opponent’s face. This differs from face masking and holding because they aren’t holding a jersey or grasping a helmet, but are limiting another players vision.

Facemask (Again): This play can be on both offense and defense. A Facemask is when someone grabs onto their opponent’s iron bars on their helmet.

Holding (Again): This play is called when a player grasps ahold of their opponent’s jersey and makes the player immobile.  This play can be called on everyone except Kickers and the Quarterback because they usually are the ones being protected.

Offsides (Again): A penalty that is called when an offensive player steps over the line of scrimmage before the play happens. This penalty is usually called mostly on lineman, but anyone can get called for it.

Targeting: This call is made when a defender tackles a player, but instead of the normal stomach, or side tackle, the player goes for the players head which could cause a head concussion.

How To Win The Game:

Obviously, the goal of any sports game is to win. Here are some actions on both sides of the field to help you and your team win.  

Offense Tactics:

Touchdowns: On offense, if you can get into your opponent’s end of the field, you can score a touchdown. Players who usually get the touchdowns are Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, and Quarterbacks.

Field Goals: Field Goals can be scored when the offense can get close enough to the touchdown but gets to a point where its there last chance to get a first down and it’s too far away to go for it. Safe field goal attempts are usually within the forty yard line. Field Goal kicks give 3 points to the team and can be scored by Kickers only.

First Downs: A first down is when a team can travel ten yards in four plays or less. Usually, a team will try to do it in three plays and punt on the fourth unless it is a close game and the team finds it necessary to go for it on fourth down. A first down rewards the offense by giving them more chances to score. For example, its 3rd and 4 and the offense gets 6 yards on the down…First Down. Now the team has 4 more chances before another first down or a touchdown.

Defense Tactics:

Usually, when people think about defense, they think “All they have to do is stop the offense.” But there is more to it than that. Here are some ways for the defense to help win the game.

Interceptions (Pick Sixes): An Interception is when the offense throws the ball and the defense catches it instead of another player. Once a defensive player catches the ball, they can do one of four things. One, they can run it back for a touchdown which is called by most people a “Pick Six.” Two, if the defender catches it in the end zone, they could still try to bring the ball back for a “Pick Six”, or they could take a knee in the end zone for their offense to bring out to the 20 or 25 depending on what school/team or league you play for. Three, a defender could run out of bounds to avoid injury. Or four, they can run back but if they find themselves outnumbered by the opposition, they can slide into them so they can avoid a fumble.

Fumbles: This is when a defender hits an offensive player so hard, they lose hold of the football. Usually, if the defensive side recovers it, their offense starts around where the ball was originally lost. But sometimes every once in a while a fumble can go back for a touchdown which is sometimes called a “Scoop n’ Score.”

Strip: A strip is when the defender can take the ball away from a person when they have a secure hold of the ball. The difference between a fumble and a strip is a fumble is when a player gets hit so hard they lose their grasp of the ball, and a strip is when a defender can outmuscle an offensive player and take it right from their hands.

Sacks: A sack is when any player hits the Quarterback behind the line of scrimmage (Where the football is snapped.)

Safeties: A Safety is when the defensive lineman or anyone really hit someone in their own end zone. If this ever happens in a game, the defense will earn their team two points. The team scored upon will then punt the ball at their own 35-yard line and give it right back to they’re opponents.

Behind The Line Tackles: This usually happens when a Running Back is tackled behind the line of scrimmage, but this can also be a case with Tight Ends, and Wide Receivers in the case the Quarterback runs a screenplay.

Sudden Death Rules:

Sudden Death Rules happen when the game is tied at the end of regulation. But in football, there must be a clear winner, therefore we do sudden death. Now, in sudden death, there will be a coin flipped in which the away team will call. If the away team wins the toss, they decide if they want to start on offense or defense. If the away team losses, the home team determines possession of the football. After that is settled, overtime begins. Both teams will get a chance to score regardless. The game ends when one team can’t follow up on their opponent’s score. Lets, for example, say there are two teams: The Ducks, and The Beavers. The Beavers score a field goal on the opening drive of overtime. The Ducks will now have one possession to match the field goal and continue the game. Now, you may be asking yourself “What if The Ducks score a touchdown?” Then The Ducks win. This is because The Beavers could’ve gone for a touchdown, but played it safe. But what if I told you this game could end another way. How? It’s simple, let’s say both The Ducks and The Beavers are playing neck and neck drive for drive. To make the game shorter, rules change to the next score wins. Any score whether it is a safety, field goal or touchdown will win the game.