In Canadian foot ball we have a safety touch one point if a player in his own zone or e zone is touched by a player of the other team you don’t have to tackle in CDN but sure about American .

One of the most underrated aspects of American football is how much thought and strategy goes into a game. For example it’s 4th down and 1 one at midfield, do we punt the ball, try and run the 1 yard, throw the ball for a big gain, or try and trick the defense to jump offsides and get a first down because of the penalty? These decisions can win or lose games.

In response to your question about the safety score, which I feel wasn't clearly explained in the original video: If the offense is pushed back on their own end zone, and are tackled in the end zone, the team on defense gets 2 points. This usually happens if the quarterback is sacked while in the end zone.

You were wondering about clock stoppages. Those are actually a major part of the game. In addition to timeouts and injury stoppages, the game clock will also stop after a play that ends in an incomplete pass or running out of bounds, and not start again until the beginning of the next play. Utilizing those plays in order to score without much game time passing--or, conversely, _avoiding_ those plays, in order to take more time off the clock, so that your opponent has less time to score--is a key strategic element.

A "Starter" is usually a better player for their position and means that the player is assigned to the group that goes on the field for offence, defense, or special team (kicking/receiving). In other words, a "starter" will be on the field when the team is playing and their position is required for play. A "backup" player is one who will replace a starter in the event that the starter is injured, not playing well, or for strategy reasons. Hopefully, this helps you understand better.

It’s so much fun to see the lights go on as you get these concepts. There are a few players who are able to switch from offense to defense. But they are more often offense or defense. He’s very good at explaining this.

On defense, the Middle Linebacker tends to take the role as an acting quarterback for the defense, he is typically in charge of making sure everyone is in position, reading the offense, and changing the defensive plays as necessary. Three of the best were Ray Lewis, Bobby Wagner, and Luke Kuechly. All three mastered the position. I also have played both rugby and football in my time

The stops and starts are essential chess moves. It is the pinnacle of team sports in that respect.

8:45 No, you misunderstood. A safety (score) is if the offense if backed up to their own goal line and an offensive player with the ball is tackled in his own end zone. In that case the defense gets 2 points and they also get to receive a kick to have their offense try to move it downfield as a normal offensive series. Defending players can also recover fumbles or make interceptions and run the ball into the end zone to score.

correction about "sack" a Sack is when you tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. If you tackle a quarterback in front of the line of scrimmage it is simply a tackle. Therefore a sack always resorts in a loss of yards.

Condolences to Brian and his family. Losing your mom is always very difficult.

You asked about the stop/starts possibly slowing the game down. For me, those help me enjoy the game more. It adds a chess-like element. Others in your comment section have mentioned the strategy involved in certain situations. They're absolutely correct. I love this sport for the combination of strategy and bursts of frenetic physicality that no other sport seems to possess. If you want constant motion, rugby, soccer/football, basketball, or hockey are great. If you want a focus on strategy with far less physicality, baseball or golf work for you. I love the combination.

The stop/start issue for people is so funny to me 😂 in reality there’s about 15 seconds between plays and that time can be shortened or lengthened with strategy, but when you’re watching a full game it flows very nicely and is very easy to keep up with.

So glad you're reacting to this video. It's simple and pretty clear on the basics of the game. The best way to learn the rules is to watch games, though. Being a starter means you are the first person of your position to play in the game. They literally "start" the game and the "backups" go in the game to give the starters a break or if they are injured.

About being a starter: There are multiple people on the team for each position, so for each player on the field there are one or more players on the bench waiting to take their place if they are injured or if they just need a break to catch their breath. You will often see positions rotated between plays where a player runs off the field and a fresh player runs on.

Playing football from the 7th grade to the 12th was the best time of my youth. I liked half back the best but also played offensive guard and punter. My most memorable experience was my senior year getting hit so hard by a future NFL player that it brought tears to my eyes. Years later when I’d see him on tv I’d always tell people “he knocked me on my tail back in high school” 😂

Great that you're learning the modern rules of "gridiron" football. The game started out quite similar to rugby, but has evolved over time. With all the College Bowl Games underway, I'd suggest watching those. The most important bowl games happen New Years Eve day, with the National Championship Game on January 9th. You'll have a lot less trouble reacting to those games than the pro league.

Hi Diane! This video is pretty spot on, although these days, the Fullback is not used much. College Football is mostly like the NFL, except for a few minor rule changes and the overtime play is completely different. The NFL has better players while the College Game has a better atmosphere. Have a great Monday!

In Ireland on vaction. I wanted to say thank you for all of your videos over the years. They really have helped in making my trip here more enjoyable. By the way, if you can drive here, America will be a cake walk.

The biggest thing to get used to is the Huddle after every end of a play. A play is called by the QB or the coach signals a play to the QB in the Huddle. The play is executed and then back to huddle to call the next play. Plays are numerous and may have options based on the formation the Defense calls in their huddle. So there is a bit of chess that goes one before the play starts.

Football is a great sport to watch at home with family. The breaks and slower pace help with the viewing. You can discuss the previous play, guess the next play, talk trash if someone else rooting for the opposite team. Or my favorite, grab a snack from the kitchen before the next play. I am really happy to have discovered your channel. I look forward to your next video. By the way, if you want, check out the highlights of the vikings-colts game. The biggest comeback in NFL history. Luckily I'm not a colts fan.

On a safety, the 2 point score, if an offensive player is tackled by the defense in their own end zone or runs out of bounds in their own end zone, the defense gets 2 points and the offense has to kick the ball to the team that was awarded the points.

Any time a brand new video of Diane's appears on KZfaq is like sunshine on a cloudy day! Especially if it concerns my favorite sport which is American Football! Your videos are always entertaining and interesting to watch! Thanks for the upload my lovely friend! Happy Holidays to you and yours Diane! Be well! 😎👋🎉🎄⛄♥️

Love the look from your dog who’s sitting on the couch watching you. The “she’s talking to the damned little tv thing again🫣” look on its face is fantastic!😂

The guy that invented the yellow virtual first down line is definitely going to heaven.

The defensive "quarterback" is usually the middle, (Mike), linebacker, and he's calling out defensive plays/adjustments to alignment the same as the quarterback on the offensive team. Also, the defensive nose tackle, and the offensive center may also be calling out signals the same as the quarterback for blocking/route schemes. So there can be a lot going on at the line of scrimmage before every play after the huddle breaks. It's a violent impact game, but also quite cerebral. That's how it used to be when I played anyway. Probably has not changed. Loved the video!

Sorry for your loss Brian Nam. Sending prayers for you and your family! Back in high school, I played defensive end (so I put pressure on and sometimes sacked the quarterback) and I was also a kicker (both for kick offs and field goals). I actually was so good at defensive end that most of the other teams would have two of their players blocking me. Lol.

A note on forward passes: You can only throw the ball forward from behind the line of scrimmage, where the play started. Once the ball passes the line of scrimmage, you can pass sideways or backwards, but not forwards.

The rules for Touchdowns used to be you had to touch it down on the ground, but that changed in the late 19th century. But the name of the scoring play didn't change.

Thanks for reacting to this video. The more you watch football the more you’ll understand it. My team beat Tom Brady’s team yesterday after being down 17-3 in the first half. They scored 31 points in the second half to win 34-23. Who dey! ❤️U☘️🇮🇪🇺🇸

We are all behind you Brian!! ❤. Chewie looks thrilled at the prospect of that outfit😂.

This was a good overview of the basics. The official rule book is 245 pages long, so there’s a lot of nuance (especially regarding penalties).

as for this season, the 49ers of san francisco have had a quite unique season, and continued potential

That was a well-made video. Another reason that the quarterback is usually very well known is that they're involved in every play on offense. Run or pass, they start with the ball, so their name is mentioned very often. Also - how about "Irish Girl Reacts To Fuzzy White Pupper"? :)

Starters are usually the percieved best players at their position. They are called starters because they are the ones who begin the game playing at that position. As a group they are called "first string". Substitutes are second, third or even fourth string on professional teams.

The safety is unique in that the team that scores the safety gets the ball back. With all other scores the ball changes possession.

This was a really good video explaining the rule basics BUT the NFL is constantly making small changes to the rules and it can be hard to keep up. The NFL is sometimes called the No Fun League for nitpicky reasons, they actually have a rule governing "excessive hip thrusts" during a touchdown celebration, they call it "excessive celebration" can earn you a penalty. 🏈🏈🏈

They stop the clock a lot in American football: injuries, when someone goes out of bounds, changes in possession, scores, etc. A lot of that time is to fit in TV commercials. In the eighties, an NFL team got criticized for the shortness of their games because the networks didn't get to show enough ads. I went to a small university with no TV contract for the games, and the games were shorter.

Diane, your question about the time. The time stops on out of bounds plays where the person with the ball runs off the field, injury, tv commercials, end of the quarter, timeouts, and challenges. Keep in mind there are many different offensive and defensive formations.

The starts and stops I love. It makes gridiron a much different game than rugby, basketball, hockey etc where you're setting up plays while moving. But I love it.

Diane, you did not understand the 2 points score. You do not get points when a team has a flag against them. You only get the the 2 point if your on defense and you tackle one of the offence player behind his own goal line. Enjoyed the video.

football is like an aggressive chess match. each team trying to counter the other. as soon as you start to grasp strategies football gets so much more interesting. the sport is just as mental as it is physical. thats why i love this sport so much!

I really love hearing your take as a rugby coach! I hope you’ll make more content learning about the game of american football

Some other clarifying points: - Players are chosen for positions often by at least some of their physical attributes. Linebackers should be big and strong to counter runs but fast enough to keep up with receivers for short periods of time, wide receivers should be lightning fast to outrun the defense, cornerbacks just as fast to keep up, etc. Quarterbacks can also vary in terms of their abilities - some quarterbacks are fast runners, which adds a dimension to their play that the defense has to plan for, while others don't run well but have a very strong arm, are very accurate, are smart decision makers, etc. - Not every team will run the same positions for each play. In the "Defense" diagram at 5:56, it shows 4 linemen and 3 linebackers (also known as a 3-4 defense). Some defenses may run 4 linebackers instead (4-3 defense), change the number of safeties, or swap their cornerback and safety positions between a man-to-man type coverage vs. a zone type coverage. - The defense may not have a quarterback, but there will usually be one or two players on defense (often linebackers) who are more "leaders" and will shout strategy to the team if they notice something, along with relaying the plays called by the coaches into their earpieces. - Defenses run their own "plays" too. This plays towards that chess-like aspect of the game - if you think the enemy offense is going for a long throw, sending more players rushing towards the quarterback (a "blitz") may catch him before he's ready to throw. Likewise, if you need to stop the enemy team from making a big play, dropping the linebackers back into coverage might make it harder for the enemy quarterback to find an open receiver. - While there are 4 downs, about 97% of the time you will see a team only push their luck to 3 downs, and either punt the ball away or attempt a field goal (if close enough). Very rarely will you see a team run a regular play on 4th down, and when they do either the number of yards is very little or they are in desperation mode towards the end of the game. Where you are on the field matters, too - failing a 4th down at the opponent's 30 yard line still gives them 70 yards to go, but failing it on your own 30 yard line gives them a much easier chance to score. - Safety (8:35) - you seemed a bit confused on the safety concept. Normally, if a player is tackled for a loss, they would start their next down at the spot where they were tackled, meaning they have more than 10 yards to go to get new downs. But if a player is tackled in the end zone itself (or an offensive penalty occurs *in* the end zone), you can't start in your own end zone - instead, a 2-point safety is awarded to the defense, and the defense's team gets the ball for offense - a double whammy. - Following up on penalties - if a penalty is assigned to a certain number of yards, but there's not that much room left to one of the end zones, then the penalty is instead "half the distance" to the goal. So a 10 yard penalty against the defense on their 8 yard line wouldn't award a touchdown to the offense, but would give the ball to the offense on the 4 yard line. It's actually based on double the penalty - a 15 yard penalty from the 20 yard line would still be half the distance to the 10 yard line, not all the way to the 5 yard line. - Clock (2:33) - in general, the clock will stop at the end of many plays. Particularly, an incomplete pass, a play that ends up out-of-bounds to the side, a touchdown, a turnover (fumble/interception recovered by the other team) or special teams plays (allowing time for offense/defense/special teams to switch). The clock only continues to run if a player is tackled with the ball (run or pass) in bounds. (NCAA - college football - only, will also pause the clock temporarily if a new set of downs is achieved). There is also a "2:00 minute warning", an automatic clock stoppage/timeout at the first play that ends with less than 2 minutes remaining in the half (i.e., only the 2nd and 4th quarters). - High tackles (10:04) - so, though different types of tackles are permitted moreso than rugby, there are still protections for the players. Head-to-head hits as well as grabbing at the facemask/grill of a player is an automatic 15 yard penalty. Players are encouraged to grab at the shoulders (or lower) when making tackles, and if trying to lay a hit on your opponent, leading with the shoulder is standard.

Each offensive play is a complicated execution of 11 players. We are not bored because each play is fascinating to watch. The athleticism of a pass, catch or runner is great to watch. And blocking is cool too

Thank You for showing this video. 50 billion might have shown it ,but I saw it because you put it on your program. Proud to say I’m a regular fan of you,so keep up the great work.🥰🤗👍

FYI there is usually a game played in Dublin every year at Aviva stadium about late August with college football teams. It would be a great experience to go and see it live. There would certainly be someone there that could fill in the blanks if you have questions about what is happening on the field as well. Notre Dame and Navy are playing there in 2023. It should be a good game.

Hi Diane, I just found your channel today and really have enjoyed the episodes I have watched so far. Regarding American football, I think you will really enjoy watching it. I would suggest this week if possible, to watch several of the college football bowl games, especially the fiesta bowl, the peach bowl and the rose bowl. If you have the chance I would enjoy you take on the highlights or the games. Additionally, I very much enjoyed your review of the Carol Burnett show, it was one of the best comedy shows. You did pick up on one thing the actors did and that was to improve and get castmates to break out laughing. The Tim Conway scene with Carol Burnett as Unice and Vickie Lawrence as mom when Conway talked about the conjoined elephants at the circus is classic. So was there version of the movie Gone with the wind. Check those out if you get the chance. Looking forward to more, Bryan

Great video, love your channel. Im sure nobody has reacted to the puppy bowl 😂. X

Brian, I'm so sorry to hear about your Mother. You and your family have my sincere condolences. I just wrote my cousin who is going thru losing her Dad, that I blame the dear ones. If they hadn't made us a life full of joy and love, we wouldn't have to to mourn them. Leaky eyes everywhere could be avoided, but we'd have to give up the joy & love. Such a small tradeoff for the beautiful memories. Each time you think of them remember, without the joy you would have no sadness. Sorry, leaky eyes here. Again, my deepest sympathy- Kim

One thing I didn't hear the video point out is that the offense, which determines when a play begins, has 45 seconds to start the next play. Exceptions are teams calling timeout, referee called timeout for measuring to see if a first down was reached, an injury or a general stoppage at 2 minutes until the end of the half.

To answer your question: A "starter" is the first choice player for a position. The starter is the one who starts the game, and usually continues to play unless he gets hurt or needs a break. A "second string" player is a backup for the starter. Most teams have backup players for key positions like quarterbacks, and guys who can backup multiple positions (like someone who can be second string left side tackle or right side tackle.) Football players are pretty tough, so sending a second string player in when the starter isn't injured is usually because of extreme weather or playing at high altitudes or similar environmental factors - though a tough game can get to anyone. Love the channel. Keep it up!

I like the stopping and starting because it builds tension before each play.

I used to watch football with my Dad. He literally would do a running commentary or play by play of the game. It was fun but I get bored easily and it is a slow game. It’s not baseball slow, but slow. It was cool to have rugby and American football compared. It’s very interesting. Thank you👏🏻

8:24 extremely rare, but you do not need a holder for a field goal. The kicker can perform a drop kick where the ball hits the ground and then is kicked for a field goal. I believe Doug Flutie in 2005 was the last to do this. And it hadn't been done since 1941 before he kicked it in. So as I mentioned extremely rare, but technically still in the rules.

Great video, Diane! You might consider reacting to a historic NFL game that happened just this past Saturday. The biggest comeback in NFL history! Search for the highlights of the Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts game. It's quite crazy.

I enjoy the start-stop nature of the game because it allows the to dramatically change tactics play by play. Every play is like a chess match where each team sets up their side of the board uniquely

so for your question about starters, a starter just means that you are the primary player at your position. so the starting QB is the quarterback for the team.. they have backups (generally in case of injury, but also just in case the starter just isn't playing well) depending on the position a backup may not get any playing time in a typical game, although some coaches use backups more often than others, to give the starter a rest. so you have a starting player at each position

The "Pause" between plays is when strategies are employed. Like in a chess match. Players & fans are studying the alignment and personal groups of the opponent to try and predict the next play or strategy.

One thing he didn't mention was that in regards to a safety, not only does the defense score two points, the offense then has to set up for a kickoff to the team that scored the safety. So the defending team scores _and_ they receive possession of the ball on the following kickoff. Additionally, when going for an extra kick or a field goal, the placeholder on special teams for the kicker sometimes is the quarterback himself but can also be the punter. A unique position on special teams that also isn't covered in the video is the long snapper. Unlike the center on the offense, the long snapper specializes in throwing the ball backwards at a long distance to either the punter (on a fourth down punt) or the placeholder on an extra point kick or a field goal.

the start-stop is really good because you get to discuss and analyze the play that just happened right then. you can also go to the bathroom or go to the kitchen. it takes 3-4 hours to watch a game, but the trade-off is you don't have to pay intense attention to every moment of the broadcast. the slower, longer, but more constantly up and down dramatic rhythm lends to making a whole day out of it, and you can make it a longer family & friends outing if you want. and if I miss seeing a score, i don't get pissed like when I'm feeding the cat during a goal watching soccer. cheers!

The stop/starts allow you to breathe for a moment and builds anticipation. I like being able to analyze every play for a moment after it happens.

So, Earlier this year, I was in recovery from double bypass surgery and I was finally awake and bored so I turned on the TV. As you might expect, it was minimal channels, and not being into sports I kind of skipped ESPN. Until I came across U.K. vs Ire Rugby. I don't watch it, follow it, or have an interest in most sports... but... They had to threaten me with a sedative if I did not calm down while watching Ireland kick butt. ( It helped that the lead nurse played Rugby). Just had my 72nd birthday yesterday with a trip hiking (or a short walk to anyone else). A wonderful holiday season to you and Chewee.

Diane, another great video! A starter in American football is one who goes onto the field first and doesn't sit on the bench. Only 11 players on a side can be on the field. Typically, each position has one or two backups who only come in when the starter is off the field for a rest or due to injury. Quarterback is a key position, and you don't want your team to have to put in the backup quarterback (2nd string) because the 1st-string quarterback (who is judged to have superior skill) is injured. Condolences to Brian. My mother has been gone now 22 years. I still miss her. Best thing is to keep her alive in your heart.

The start-stop nature of American football and the reset after each down really facilitates the use of set plays, in which the offense has a strategy for each play in which each player has a predetermined role to play.

A safety, which they didn't show for some reason, is when the offensive ball carrier retreats into their endzone and either the defense tackles them or the offense commits a penalty while the ball carrier in his own endzone. OR an offensive possession where the ball goes out of bounds after passing through the endzone area. The defensive team is award 2 points and get to receive a free kick to gain possession.

I watched American Football with my dad as a kid when he first explained the rules to me. That was back in the ‘80s. I never really watched on TV much after that and am, in general, not a fan. I’d watch the odd game at university in person. So, many years went by before I watched a game on TV again. When I did, I had no idea what the electronic lines on the TV were. I guess in the old days, we just imagined the lines were there and you just had to pay attention to know how many yards left to go, etc. And of course the announcer tells you how many yards to go. It was strange to watch again later as an adult. It felt like a brand new experience.

Other things that they mentioned (but glossed over): ➊ The quarterback is the ONLY offensive player who can pass the ball forward. Receivers may pass the ball after receiving it from the QB, but only laterally or backwards. Doing so is a rare trick play. ➋ Touched on in the previous note, ONLY specific positions are eligible to receive a pass from the QB, the Wide Receivers or a Tight End. Defenses plan accordingly. Any position is eligible to receive a secondary pass or handoff.

Thanks for sharing. Decades ago, Diane, American football players played offense and defense. They were called "iron men" or two-way players. After World War II, you started seeing offensive and defensive specialists when the substitution rules were changed. If you see a high school game in America, you'll still see some two-way players, particularly at smaller schools. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and football fan)

When I was in high school i was a starting defensive nose tackle and offensive guard. I put up with 2 years of 8 seconds of play to 30 seconds of huddling. I saw a rugby game once, turned in my pads, and spent 10 years as a second row and number 8.

6:00 Not only will you not always see every position represented. Sometimes on offense you won't see all positions because you can have fullbacks come in or go out, you can have one or two tight ends, you can have one, two, or multiple wide receivers. This is because there are multiple formations you can take on offense and defense, and the playbooks are rather complex with each person having their own responsibilities for any given play, but also needing to know all the plays in the book that the coach might call. You should look into an explanation the various offensive and defensive formations and play calls; rarely is a coach so involved in what the team does in any other sport. In this sport the coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and the captain on the field can all make decisions about play calls. And then, you have audibles where the play that is set up can be shifted on the fly if a player doesn't like the "look" they're being given of the other teams formation (perhaps they perceive an imminent blitz and shift the call, etc). There is a LOT that goes into it, it is quite possibly the most complex professional sport around. I'm glad everyone across the pond is getting into it. Enjoy your time as a spectator (except for the commercial breaks, of course).

You asked about the term "Starter" in the video. The starters are the players on the field for the first offensive or defensive play. Players can be substituted for different situations (e.g., you may use a bigger running back when you only need to get a yard and want more power. But, use a different running back in a situation where you have a higher chance of him catching a pass). You may also have different formations.

To quote comedian Dave Barry: Football combines the two worst aspects of American Culture, Violence, and Committee meetings. On a more serious note, it is a very strategic sport, and rules that have developed since the first organized game in 1868, the rules have changed over time, and its own fascinating interesting history.

In American Football most players will play more than one role, but they will only play one role at a time. A tight-end might double as the punt-return position, for instance, but they'll only be in one role at a time. A "starter" is just a player who is on the "first preference" list for a given position, the relief player taking over for them if they are injured or need to be rested, if the player is ejected, or if the score is wildly spread (in either direction) and the relief player can get some experience without affecting the outcome of the game. The clock does stop sometimes, but it can get complicated trying to explain it.

6:09 At the risk of someone already responding, the positions are highly specialized. On defense you can also have what's called special "packages", meaning different variations of the positions. You can have 3 defensive linemen up front on defense, and 4 linebackers. My favorite team the NY Giants used to run that defense, referred to as a "3-4". You can also have more players in the backfield to prevent the offense from passing more effectively, which is known as a "dime" defense. 7:08 a "starter" refers to the players at the beginning of the game in the "starting line up". Those players are usually the best players on the team. 7:56 it used to be the rule that the ball had to make contact with the ground to be counted as a touchdown, hence the name. That rule was changed quite some time ago. 9:11 the clock is indeed stopped when there's an injury, but if you fake an injury your team is penalized by losing a time out.

About the high tackling. While we are allowed to do it, it's really easy to mess up and from a young age we're taught to do a more rugby style tackle. You can usually hit a bit harder higher up, but it's so much easier to miss or have the ball carrier break the tackle

Don’t forget that plays are automatically reviewed by the officials to ensure that a team did/not score a touchdown, make a complete pass, etc. So, unlike a sport like volleyball where coaches have to use one of their very few challenges to challenge a bad call made by officials that awarded a point to the other team, football (and baseball) automatically negates the need of challenging because officials will automatically take it upon themselves to determine if a team truly scored a touchdown/run, completed a pass, is safe/out, etc. Basically football and baseball never have to worry about losing a point/possession of the ball due to a bad call by the officiating team.

The stop starts are what make gridiron football such a perfect spectator sport, it gives the crowd and the people at home a chance to discuss the plays right after they happen, making it feel more communal. In this way it is similar to baseball, but very different from basketball and hockey which happen at much faster pace.

A "starter" is one of the 22 players on the main offense or defense roster. They are the guys that go out almost every play. They can be subbed out with players on the bench for rest or special grouping put on the field for specific plays, ie removing your running back and full back to be replaced with more wide receivers.

American Football (very similar to Canadian Football) is basically a strategy game. The pauses inbetween plays are used to regroup and discuss/rethink one's strategy.

The commentator's accent made 'touch down' sound like tush down. Which made me think of the 'Tush Push'. 😄

For the players on the field, on a first down there are two markers that start 10 yards apart. As the team moves up the field, the one marking the line of scrimmage move’s depending on whether the offense moves forwards or gets pushed back, while the new first down marker stays put.

Lifelong American football fan here, the stoppage between plays is something people familiar with other sports always wonder about. I personally enjoy that aspect, it makes it more strategic and it also builds up anticipation. It's basically like watching a very physical game of chess. Another thing I noticed when I watched the World Cup and similarly when I see rugby, it seems like those sports are more dependent on raw skill and one really good player can take over a game, whereas with American football it's much more team oriented and some of the players aren't as skilled, but if one person messes up it can screw up everything so everyone has to be more disciplined.

On passing: once the ball moves beyond the line of scrimmage, it may not be passed forward. However, it may be lateraled or handed/tossed backward to another player. This is rarely done, however (usually only when desperate) because the opposing team is ALWAYS trying to rip, knock or otherwise cause the player to fumble the ball. The quarterback may also lateral or hand/toss the ball (if still behind scrimmage line) to “some” of the other offensive players who may then pass the ball forward.

If you play strategy games, rugby is like a real time strategy game (ie total war, manor lords), and football is like a turn based strategy (like civilization, XCOM, risk etc). Rugby requires a long-term running strategy that can adapt constantly (like soccer or basketball), football requires individual play design for each down or “turn”, which add up to an overall strategy at the end of a drive or game.

There are many instances where the clock is stopped. If an incomplete pass is thrown, player injury (although in the last 2 minutes of each half this can result in a run-off or loss of a time out), if a player with the ball runs out of bounds, change of possession, booth challenge and when the clock reaches 2 minutes before the end of the half it's automatically stopped ("Two Minute Warning"). There are others, but those are the major ones. The last 2 minutes of a game can take 20-30 minutes. A starter is the player who is the teams first choice to play in a particular position. The starting quarterback is the one who will be on the field at the start of the game and, unless there is injury or loss of the coach's confidence, will play the entire game.

As an American,it's fun to watch someone confused about any of this. It's cool to watch her learn. My favorite positions are running back and wide receiver. 👍🏼

A starter is a player who's officially is the Starter of that particular position. Then you have your 2nd string, who fills in for the Starter if he gets injured, or still on the injury list. Or on suspension. Then you have your 3rd string, same principle as filling in for the 2nd string.

A starter is the person who has earned the right to start the game and play the most plays. He’s also called a “first string” player or first stringer, his back up (the next best player at that position) is the second stringer and so on.

In Japan, some years ago (I don’t know if this is true today) one NFL Sunday game would be broadcast on Monday night with Japanese commentary. The BIG difference was that every second of inactivity was excised. That means you saw only from the snap off the ball to the whistle at the end of the play Play after play. No TV time outs. No watching injured players laying on the field. No halftime break. Just continuous action. You could watch the entire game on 60 minutes!

In American football, the clock seems to stop if a player so much as sneezes but it's not quite that frequent but it is close, it stops ALL the time. In regards to "starters" and not, a starter is the player at the top of the depth chart for that position, most/all teams have backup players for all of the important positions, so a team might have 4 quarterbacks on the team but only one starter, that is their best player for that position. He "starts" all games but if he needs to be taken out of the game for any reason, there are backups ready. In regards to scoring via "Safety," the line of scrimmage is at the point where the other team gave up the ball or the point where you got the ball on your last play, if the other team got the ball up to your endzone, the line of scrimmage is on that same line but the QB and his runners are now in the Endzone so if they get tackled before clearing the Endzone, the other team scores a "Safety"

The stop/start shows a couple of things. 1. The clock is an aspect of the game that's worked as a part of a team's strategy. If you're ahead, you try your best to run the clock down to give your opponent less time to catch up. If you're behind, you try to get out of bounds rather than taken down in the field to stop the clock and buy yourself more time to score. Teams will even try to goad the other into doing things like getting a "delay of game" penalty by playing the play clock. 2. The stoppages make the game more explosive, with really fast, quick plays. Teams set themselves up across the line of scrimmage based on what they think the other is setting up for. It's much more strategic in that way. 3. The stop start really makes this a game made for TV. With built in breaks for commercials and such, which is a good time for the viewer to go to the toilet, grab a beer or whatever.

The clock stops running anytime there is an incomplete pass or a ball carrier runs out of bounds ( and when a timeout is called and at the two-minute warning (last two minutes of each half)). this is why a 15-minute quarter usually takes about 40 minutes.

Generally the Middle Line Backer is the defensive "QB" he has a head set in his helmet to receive the play call from the Defensive Coordinator or head coach.

The one thing this video left out that I feel is really important even at the most basic level is the 4th down. In most situations if a team is short of the ten yards needed for a first down on 4th down they will usually decide to punt(kick) the ball to the other team. The team that is punting is basically forfeiting that 4th down to kick the ball further down field making the opposing team have much further to move the ball to score. If they choose to not to punt the ball and are unable to get the yardage needed for the 1st down then the opposing team gets the ball at that spot on the field. Punts average around 40 yards or so depending on wind and ability of punter. There are other aspects of punting to be considered but that is the main point. So by punting the opposing team now has to cover the yards where the ball was punted minus any return yards as a receiving team is allowed to advance a punt as far as they can. When time is short and team is behind they might go for the yardage on 4th down or if close to scoring range either field goal or a touchdown a team might choose to go for the 1st down yardage on 4th down but typically they punt the ball away.

8:45 safety is when the offense is backed up starting close to goal line. The play develops in the end zone so if they get tackled before crossing the goal line it’s a safety. Or if the qb gets sacked or throws intentional grounding it’s a safety.

First, condolences to you, Brian. The stop and start nature of American Football isn't only not distracting, it's one of the appeals of the game. It allows the fan at home to participate by imagining what plays they would call if they were the coach. It also allows the TV announcers to review the previous play. As games wind down, clock management even becomes part of the game. Do you call a timeout to force the clock to stop so your team has enough time to mount a comeback if you get the ball? Do you throw the ball to the sidelines because the clock stops when you run out of bounds? Also, high tackles are illegal in American Football above the shoulders (called clothesline tackles) as is grabbing a player who is not in possession of the ball ("holding"). If the player held was trying to catch the ball, it is called "pass interference" and the ball is placed down at that spot as if the receiver would have caught it. And just a thought with the Super Bowl coming up: I know it would be very late in Ireland, but perhaps you could have a live viewing party with your Patreon supporters. An Irish Girl Watches Her First American Football Game (Live!)

Starters are the number one players at each position on the offense, defense, and special teams. They are the ones that play the majority of snaps for that particular position. Teams publish a "three deep" that shows the top three players at each position and number one is considered the starter. The other players in the "three deep" will often see the field, though to rest the starters or for specific plays.

A safety is worth two points, and occurs when the offensive team is backed up near its own goal line, and a defensive player tackles the player holding the ball when he is behind his own goal line.

The players don't see the graphics on the field; thats for the TV audience. There's the "chain gang" on the sidelines that have two poles or sticks that measure 10 yards: one that marks the Line of Scrimmage (it's the one with the black circle) and the first down marker. The referee can call out the chain gang to measure if the ball has crossed the the first down marker. There's also another sideline marker that indicates the down number; it changes after every play.