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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Rodrigo Istalindir" data-source="post: 3111670" data-attributes="member: 2810">The nature of American football is more tactical in nature than most sports.  Stopping and resetting play after every down makes the game less fluid than soccer or basketball for example.  Instead it becomes more about how the opposing teams anticipate the others plans for the current situation (eg, if it's 3rd down and the offense only has to gain a couple yards, the defense may expect a power run up the middle, so the offense calls a long pass anticipating the defense to be bunched up on the line).While some of the rules are a little oddball, the base concept is pretty easy.  With the offense, most of the guys have to line up more or less parallel with the ball, and once they are in position they can't move till the ball is 'hiked' from the center to the quarterback.  If they move early, it's a penalty (and a pretty common one called 'false start').  The defense is pretty much free to move about as they wish, but they must be on their own side of the ball when its hiked or they get a penalty ('offsides').Once the ball is in the hands of the quarterback, for a running play they will give the ball to the running back, either by handing it to him directly or via a short underhand toss.  If the ball is mishandled and hits the ground, its called a fumble, and if the defense gets it first, they gain 'possession' and go on offense.  For a passing play, the quarterback will look for the reciever who is most likely to be able to catch the ball without the defense interrupting and throw it overhand to him.  If the ball hits the ground first, it's an incomplete pass.  If a defender catches it in the air, it's an interception, and like with a fumble the defense becomes the offense.The offense gets four trys (called 'downs') to move the ball ten yards or score.  If they succeed, they get four more tries to move it another ten.  If they don't, the defense goes on offense at that position on the field.  At any time the offense can kick the ball (called a 'punt') - the ball is hiked to the punter who drops the ball from his hands towards the ground and kicks it in the air.  The defense will try to catch the ball and then goes on offense wherever they end up.  Usually, the offense will punt when they are on fourth down, although they are not required too, and often when they are close to the oponent's goal line or otherwise desperate to score, they will use their fourth down to run a real play.There are lots of other rules (the offensive players can't grab or tackle defensive players, only interpose themselves to keep the defense from moving where they want for example) but you'll pick those up as you watch.  The referees are usually pretty good about explaining why  a penalty was called, and the sportscasters will often show you during a replay, so if you watch enough games you'll learn all the silly stuff as you go along.</blockquote>

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