The Super Bowl is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. In the night of Sunday it’s that time again. We explain the most important rules that you should know.
1. The field of play is 100 yards (about 90 meters) long and divided into 10 yard sections. At the end of each side there is the so-called “end zone”. The aim of the game is to get the football there.
2. Each game starts with a “kickoff”. The defending team tries to kick the ball as far into the opposing half as possible. The game then continues from there. If the ball lands in the end zone, play continues at the 25-yard line.
3. Each team’s roster consists of up to 50 players. Eleven may be on the field per turn. Each team has a team for “Offense” and “Defense”. These are never on the field together. The offense plays with the aim of getting closer to the opponent’s goal. The defense tries to fend off the attackers.
4. Each team has four attempts to carry the ball forward 10 yards. If they succeed, they get four new attempts. The ball can be continuously carried forward by a player or thrown forward. Back passes are not allowed. If a player runs out with the ball, the turn is over. Likewise if the player is tripped with the ball in his hand.
5. If the ball comes firmly in the hands of a player in the end zone, it is considered a touchdown. There are six points for this. As a bonus there is a free shot, which is worth another point. To do this, the ball must be shot through two yellow poles at the end of the field. There are players (kickers) in every team whose sole task is to achieve these “field goals”. If such a shot succeeds from the game without a previous touchdown, then this is rewarded with three points. After each touchdown, a video is used to check whether everything went right. Each team can also appeal decisions. For this, the coach must throw a red flag onto the field.
6. Another method is the “Two Point Conversion”. It is rarely used. On this play, the team foregoes the extra kick and attempts to score another touchdown. If this succeeds, the team only receives two points instead of the six as with the normal touchdown. There is no extra point after that.
7. A game lasts 60 minutes, divided into quarters of 15 minutes each. There are numerous time-outs, injury breaks and commercial breaks, so games usually last three or four hours.
8. The quarterback receives instructions over the air from the coach before each play. He then passes it on to his teammates. The moves and running routes are usually planned in advance and practiced during training.
9. The defending team tries to disrupt the attacking team’s moves and try to win the ball. Ball throws can be intercepted, which is then called “interception”. For example, if the ball touches the ground after a bad throw, the play is over. The opposing team is not allowed to pick it up.
10. There are up to seven referees on the field per game. If they notice a violation of the rules, they throw the yellow flag on the ground. The head referee explains each decision and penalty for all to hear over stadium loudspeakers. Depending on the offense, a five, 10, or 15 yard loss penalty can be assessed for both attackers and defenders.
Another penalty is the award of a new first down. The team – in this case the attackers – gets four new attempts. After a serious personal foul, such as banging another player’s head with his helmet, the referee may disqualify a player from the game.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
