Culture Connection: American Football

Last Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday, a day when professional American football finals have their championship game.  American football can be an important part of American culture in many cities in the U.S.

Below is a list of some common football terms from ducksters.com to help you understand the video below better.  Hope this post encourages you to watch more American football!

Blocking: What the offensive team does to prevent a defensive player from tackling the player with the football. 

End zone: The area at the end of the football field where the offensive team must have possession of the football to score a touchdown.

Field goal: A three point score, when the kicker kicks the football above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost.

Fumble: When a football player drops the football. The ball is available for any other player to gain possession for his team.

Holding: A penalty where a football player grabs an opponent.

Interception: A pass that is caught by a football player on the defense.

Line of scrimmage: The location on the field where the football is spotted and the next play begins. 

Linemen: The offensive and defensive football players who start each play at the line of scrimmage.

Neutral zone: The area between the offense and defense at the start of the play. Only the center is allowed in this zone until after the ball is snapped.

Pass protection: Blocking by the offensive football players to keep defenders away from the quarterback to give him time to throw the football.

Punt: A football kick to the other team to give them the ball downfield rather than lose the football on downs.

Quarterback: This is the football player that starts each play. He takes the snap from the center and either runs with it, hands off the football to another player, or passes it.

Receivers: The football players who catch the football.

Rush: When the football player runs with the football. Also, when a football player tries to tackle the quarterback while in the pocket.

Safety: When a football player is tackled in his own end zone. The defense gets 2 points and the possession of the football from a free kick.

Tackle: When a football player causes the player carrying the ball to touch the ground such that they are considered down. The end of the play.

Touchdown: A 6 point score. When a player has control of the football within the end zone.

Turnover: When, with either a fumble or an interception, one team loses possession of the football to the other.