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American football is a game in which two teams play on a specially prepared field using an oval ball slightly pointed at both ends. The game’s goal is to capture the ball from one of the teams and carry it across the field to a designated area while the second team tries to take the ball away. According to the game’s rules, the ball can be carried in the hands, thrown, kicked, and passed to another player.

For each specific action, a certain number of points can be awarded. The game consists of several rounds, each lasting only a few seconds. There are many options for playing this kind of sport where not only the number of players on each team can differ but also the order of play and the size of the playing field. This game is very popular, so to get to it, you should buy tickets in advance here — https://www.koobit.com/nfl-c76.

Rules of American football

The rules of the game sometimes seem confusing. At the start of the game, each team has four attempts to advance ten yards to the opponent’s goal. If the goal has been reached, four more attempts are made to advance the same distance. If it is impossible to do this, the opposing team begins to act.

Teams line up opposite each other in a certain order established by the coach. One plays defense, and the other attacks. The task of the attacking team is to move as far as possible to the enemy’s side. In turn, the defense is doing everything possible to prevent this.

All “roles” on the playing field are strictly distributed. Each team has its game strategies, clearly described in the playbook. Combinations are developed by the coach, taking into account the physical capabilities of each player. Careful planning and elaboration of game combinations significantly increase the chances of winning.

Offensive team

The first thing to know about offense is that matches are not won by schemes, formations, and tricky plays but by players. If the player does not correctly fulfill what the coach intended, then there will be no result.

The offensive team includes the following players:

  • QB — quarterback
  • TE — tight-end
  • WR — wide receiver
  • FB — fullback
  • HB — halfback
  • C — center
  • OG — offensive guard
  • OT — offensive tackle

The offensive team is required to put seven people on the attack line. The center brings the ball into play by throwing it back between his legs to one of the partners. Almost always, it is the quarterback (passer, point guard) — the main offensive player.

Putting the ball into play is called a snap. Attacking consists of offensive attempts to move the ball toward the opponent’s end zone. It is very difficult to carry or throw the ball across the entire field immediately, and given the active resistance of the enemy, it is almost impossible. Therefore, in American football, the field is played in parts.

The attacking team tries to use its strengths to move the ball forward. A team with strong back runners may prefer to move the ball on the ground. A team with strong receivers and a quarterback will pass a lot. The attacking team tries to change the types of rallies to prevent the opposing team from preparing for it. Depending on the situation, the attacking team uses different starting formations.

Offensive strategies

When planning an offensive strategy, coaches try to maximize the strengths of their offensive team and exploit the opposing team’s weaknesses while considering many other factors. The main offensive strategies in American football:

  • The Hurry-up Offense — is an offensive strategy that aims to get as many yards as fast as possible and stop the clock. This is usually done in the final two minutes of the game.
  • Run and Shoot — is an offensive system in American football that focuses on receiver motion and on-the-fly route adjustments based on defensive formations.
  • Option offense — this type of attack is based on the removal. It is a very effective tool for controlling playing time, leaving the opposing team less time to score and keeping the defense from getting tired.
  • Spread offense — is an attack that stretches the defense. It places three to five receivers in a line with two or fewer running backs in the backfield. Such stretching of the attacking players forces the defense to cover more space and isolate the players.
  • West Coast offense — a short passing offense that emphasizes ball control.
  • Pistol offense — in this offense, the quarterback is four yards from the center, and the runner is three yards from the quarterback. This allows the quarterback to assess the defensive situation better and throw a quick pass without a running back.
  • Pro-style offense — this strategy uses several different schemes starting from a single defense.
  • Marty ball — in this strategy, the quarterback lines up five-seven yards behind the center and receives a long snap from him (that is, the center throws the ball far back).

In general, rallies in which the ball is carried by hand are considered more reliable, and rallies in which the ball is passed are considered riskier since the possibility that the defense will intercept the ball is increased. On the other hand, a successful pass usually moves the ball further than a run with the ball. The attacking team tries to find a balance between the two types of attack to prevent the defending team from suppressing the attack by successfully defending against one of the types. Often the attacking team imitates a running rally while passing or, on the contrary, imitates a pass and tries to carry the ball along the ground.

As the game progresses, the attacking team tries to change the type of rally to gain an advantage. The traditional strategy is to try to run more with the ball early in the game to wear down the defense and set it up for play on the ground, opening up a long pass opportunity. A more modern strategy requires a lot of short passes early in the game to stretch the defense and open up space for play on the ground.

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