America is where many international students choose to study. This place not only has the world's best economy and science, but it also has a vibrant spiritual life. The country's sports industry, in addition to modern entertainment areas, is well oriented. American football is a popular sport in the United States and around the world.
Football is a popular and influential sport in American high schools and universities.
1. What is American Football?
American football, also known as American style football, is a popular American team sport.
Evidence shows that American football evolved from British Rugby. Originating from this country, it was first imported to the United States in the early nineteenth century. American football is more violent than English Rugby, but it also requires players to wear armor. Rugby only counts points when the player in possession of the ball touches the ground, and points are counted backwards. In American Football, simply crossing the finish line is enough to win. Furthermore, the rugby ball in Rugby is much larger than the ball in American football.
2. Equipment and field
a. American football equipment and field
The American football field is 100 yards (91.44 meters) long and is divided into 20 sections. Each section is 5 yards (4.57 meters) long and has 19 white lines running through it. There are four rows of short lines, each one yard apart, between those lines. The end-zone is a 10-yard section at each end of the field that is usually striped in red and separated by a goal line. The end line is at the far end of the end zone, followed by the goal posts. A crossbar that is 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 meters) long and 30 feet (9.14 meters) high is upper from both ends planted in the center of the course width, 10 feet (3.05 meters) high.
football field is 120 yards long, and every 10 yards, the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 will be marked on the field until it reaches 50 yards. In the penalty area of the opposing team, it's the other way around.
b. Material of the American Football’s Ball
The weight of the inflatable oval leather ball ranges from 400 to 430 grams. To increase adhesion, competition balls are usually waxed and sprayed against moisture.
c. Armor and Helmets
Players wear helmets to protect their heads from harsh impacts during battle. The helmet features a lightweight neoprene shell, foam padding or an inflatable inner lining for head protection, a steel mask for face protection, two jaws on each side for jaw protection, ear vents, a chin strap, and anti-glare polycarbonate glass. Helmets are frequently decorated with different patterns, stripes, or numbers to make them stand out from afar.
To help protect players from injury, protective armor is frequently worn out of the moisture-wicking underwear and underneath the game uniform. The outside is made of hard plastic, and the inside is made of thick, breathable padding. A plastic strap that wraps around the ribs secures the armor pieces that wrap around the player's shoulders, chest, and back.
American football uniforms are worn close to the protective layer. 1 shirt and 1 pair of pants are included in the kit. Shirts with numbers on the chest, back, and shoulders; the team or city name is usually written on the chest, the team logo or color stripes are attached to the shoulders, and the player's name is printed on the upper back. The shorts are made of a durable, close-fitting material with inner pockets for foam padding to protect the thighs and hips.
3. Positions of Players in American Football
A total of 53 people make up an American football team, which is divided into three teams. Attack, defense, and special units, also known as mixed unit, are the three types of teams. Each team can only have 11 people on it, and each person can only be on one team at a time. Depending on the situation, members of the offensive or defensive teams will be assigned to the special team.
Offensive Unit
– Center (C): 1 player
– Offensive Guard (OG): 2 players
– Offensive Tackle (OT): 2 players
– Quarterback (QB): 1 player
– Half Back/Running Back (HB/RB): 1-2 players
– Full Back/Set Back (FB/H-Back): 1 player
– Wide Receiver (WR): 2-4 players
– Tight End (TE): 1-3 players, this is the combination between OG/OT/QB and wide receiver
Defense Unit
– Defensive End (DE): 2 players
– Defensive/Nose Tackle (DT/NT): 1-2 players
– Outside Linebacker (OLB): 1-2 players
– Inside Linebacker/Middle Linebacker (ILB/MLB): 1-2 players
– Cornerback (CB)
– Safety (S)
Special Unit
– Long Snapper (LS)
– Punter (P)
– Placekicker (K)
– Holder (H)
– Gunner
– Upback
4. American Football Rules
When a player lands the ball behind the opponent's goal line, also known as the goal line, the team scores. The scoring is as follows: placing the ball in the penalty area (touchdown) and behind the goal line earns 6 points, kicking the goal from 3 yards earns 1 point, and scoring a touchdown from 3 yards earns 2 points. When the ball goes over the two standing posts and clears the crossbar, a successful free kick earns three points.
Attacking and defending are alternated by the players. The attacking team has four turns to get to ten yards. If no points are scored during that attack, the ball is passed to the opposing team. Each time the attack is switched, all 22 players from both teams will be replaced on the field. All defensive players will be replaced by the team that lost the ball, and the previous defending team will be replaced by an attacking formation.
Except for dead time (ball out of play), each match lasts 60 minutes, divided into four halves, resulting in a total playing time on the field of up to 180 minutes. Referees are dressed in white with black stripes. A total of 4 to 7 referees are assigned to each match.
5. Some universities that stand out in American Football
Since 1967, the Super Bowl has been held on the first Sunday of February, known as Super Bowl Sunday, as the annual championship match of the National Football League (NFL - National Football League), an American football association.
The following is a list of some of the universities that excel in this sport
(The outcomes of these sports organizations' evaluations contribute financially to the university and have an impact on student and community life.) In addition, the results also come from the pollings of these universities' athletes.)
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RANK |
SCHOOL |
LOCATION |
|
1 |
Columbus, OH |
|
|
2 |
Notre Dame, IN |
|
|
3 |
Tuscaloosa, AL |
|
|
4 |
Los Angeles, CA |
|
|
5 |
Norman, OK |
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|
6 |
Ann Arbor, MI |
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|
7 |
Austin, TX |
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|
8 |
Lincoln, NE |
|
|
9 |
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College |
Baton Rouge, LA |
|
10 |
Florida State University |
Tallahassee, FL |
