Alright, so since this is supposed to be a site for my fellow lady Ravens lovers, I know that you all will agree that there is nothing more fun than being able to talk "football" with a guy and know that you ACTUALLY know what you are talking about. Guys find it attractive, or so I've heard ;) and its an automatic conversation starter if you want to really engage them! So for those of you who may not be as comfortable with the "lingo", I've decided to do a series of posts where I break down some of the terminology, positions, rules and strategies! Hope this doesn't offend anyone who thinks I'm implying that we girls don't know as much about football, that isn't my intention! Just going to offer a few phrases and pieces of terminology for those who aren't familiar or for those who want to deepen their understanding! Enjoy the results that knowing how to talk football will undoubtedly bring you! (With a little help :) )
The Basics:
A football field is 120 yards long and 53 ½ yards wide. At each end of the field and 100 yards apart are the goal lines. The additional 10 yards at each end is the end zone. The field is divided up every 5 yards by a yard line. The middle yard line marker is called the 50 yard line. The rules in football allow each team to have 11 players on the field at a time. Teams may substitute players between plays with no restrictions. Each team must start a play on their side of the ball. The offense must advance the ball at least 10 yards every four plays or downs. Each time the offense is successful in advancing the ball 10 yards, they get four more downs or what is called a "first down". If the offense does not get 10 yards in four plays, the other team gains possession of the football at the current line of scrimmage.
Football Penalties:
Most football penalties result in a loss or gain of yardage depending on whether the penalty is against the offense or the defense. Most penalties are 5 or 10 yards, but some personal foul penalties result in 15 yards. Also, pass interference can result in a penalty that matches the length of the intended pass. Here are some of the most common:
False Start: When a football player on the offense moves just prior to the snap. This is a five yard penalty. Note that one back on the offense can legally be "in motion" at the time of the snap.
Offside: If a player from the offense or defense is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap. A defensive player can cross the line of scrimmage as long as they get back before the snap, but if they touch an offensive player they can be called for encroachment.
Holding: When a player grabs a football player without the ball with the hands or hooks him or tackles him.
Pass Interference: When a defender contacts a pass receiver after the ball is in the air to prevent him from catching the ball. This is up to the referee to determine. If the contact is before the ball is in the air it will be called defensive holding. Note that pass interference can also be called on the offense if the defender has position and is trying to catch the ball. Facemask: To protect the football players, it is illegal to grab another player's facemask. Roughing the passer or kicker: To protect kickers and quarterbacks, who are very vulnerable when they are passing or kicking the ball, players are not allowed to run into them after the ball has been thrown or kicked.
Intentional Grounding: When the passer throws a pass nowhere near an eligible receiver strictly to avoid being sacked.
Ineligible Receiver Downfield: When one of the offensive players that is not an eligible receiver is more than 5 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage during a forward pass.
Look for the next post in this series where we will break down player positions and strategy!
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