Field Goal: If the offense cannot score a touchdown but is still within field goal range, they may opt to go for a field goal. Though field goals can be attempted anywhere on the field and on any down, most field goals are attempted inside a team’s 45-yard line on the fourth down. In order for a field goal to be good, the ball must sail over the crossbar and in between the two uprights. Field goals, worth three points, are usually the deciding factor in many last second or overtime games.
Safety: Safeties are the rarest way to score in football; teams can go for entire seasons without scoring one. They are only scored by the defense and only occur when the offensive ball carrier (usually the quarterback or running back) is tackled behind his own goal line. When this happens, the team that did the tackling is awarded two points. In order for a safety to even be possible, the offensive team must be pinned very deep in their own territory.
Once a woman understands the basics of football – how the game is played and how points are scored – she will be well on her way to understanding football in its entirety. She might not necessarily understand the men watching football, but football itself will be comprehended.
When all is said and done, football is not a hard sport for women to understand. It is a sport aimed at men; thus, it can’t be that hard to understand.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
Well, I'm not a girl, but kudos anyway, Ms Jordan, for one of the funniest and easiest to understand guides to football (American football to me) I've ever read. I almost didn't click on the link because I'd rather read about proper football (soccer, to you) ;-) , but I'm glad I did.
For me, this just goes to show that football is way more fun to talk about than to watch. I find the stop-start nature of the game excruciatingly frustrating. Just when the action seems to finally be moving, some player crashes into some other player and everything comes to a grinding halt and I groan, "What did they stop for this time?"
On a practical note, just how does one flirt with the referee under one's helmet and all that padding?
Thanks again for an immensely entertaining read!
2 - The wife who didn't understand
Thanks for this very funny and informative article. I did a google search on "football for girls" because I was becoming desperate to understand the "black hole" of tv (aka a football game) I loose my husband too every Sunday, Monday and occasional Thursday....
Thanks for the insight (and humor!!)
3 - The girl who does play football
I thought this was quite funny. Although i being a female who came from the game of football already know everything about it basically. Watch out some ladies might be offened because your saying the females no nothing about football.
I loved this articale, some might not or whatever.
Thanks for the laugh.
4 - DIXIE GREENWELL
I LIKE TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITH THE GUYS BECAUSE IT IS FUN COULD I PLAY FOOTBALL WHEN I AM IN HIGH SCOOL
5 - newvy
wow this really helped me. my boyfried just got the runner back position in the varsity football team of my high school and i knew a little bit about football because of the other games i've been too, but when he sits with me and starts talkin about football stuff i always get really lost. this was really helpful thankyou!
6 - STM
Football for girls ...
We're not talking soccer here are we??
7 - USA Lacrosse
I love football! Way to go girls!
8 - becky from 'bama
Can I just say, THANKS!!!!! I've only been watching football for about 5 years now. I only became interested when my youngest son started playing. I've picked up some pointers along the way, mostly from my son, my husband gets the "why don't you know that by now" attitude, so I'd rather learn from my 12 year old, who thinks it's cool to teach his mom something. Your tutorial is awesome and humorous and very enjoyable, even to us girls who know more than the average girl. Now if you could do one for Player Positions, I would be eternally gratefull!!!!!!!
9 - Finally I Get It
I'm 14, and a Freshman and my boyfriend who is the perfect 6 ft 3 inch tall, broad, ripped, and extremely smart and sweet jock has tried many times to explain to me how to play football. We have dated for a year and three months and you have helped me SO much more than he has. Lol
10 - I'll show those naysayers NOW!
Very simple to read! Easy to understand! You really made it seem so possible for me to learn! Not only did I end up already knowing more than I realized, but what I didn't know is not nearly as difficult as I'd previously perceived it to be!
11 - 20011
I WISH THAT OURKIND CAN PLAY WITH CUTE AND ATTRACTIVE BOYS WHEN WE'RE OLDER
12 - Still Confused
Could you do more on two point conversation and field goal you kind of got confused.
13 - Nina Mosley
"It is a sport aimed at men; thus, it can’t be that hard to understand." Best.Line.Ever!