ORIG SP Understanding American Football: the rules of the game explained here!

For those who didn't know, there is much more to the Super Bowl than the advertisements, athletes and all that food!  There's an actual game going on, and if you know what's happening, it can be an entertaining way to experience the biggest American sporting event of the year.

So we've got you covered here to help you join in on the fun, breaking down the basics of professional football. So get your fan gear on and get ready to watch, and follow, the Super Bowl!

Ok, let's go! In professional American football you have two teams with eleven players allowed on the field for each team. The objective of the game is to score points by carrying the football across the opponent's goal line (end zone) or kicking the football through the opponent's goalpost.

The game is played on a rectangular field that is 100 yards long, 160 feet wide, and marked in 10-yard increments, with the middle being the 50-yard line, where the game begins. The endzones (or scoring areas) are at the opposite ends of the field, one for each team.

The defense is the group of players that defends their side of the field and try to prevent the offense from scoring points in their goal line (endzone) or goalpost.

The offense is the group of players that try to advance the ball down the field and score points.

The offense can line up in different formations, such as the I-formation, shotgun formation, or spread formation, to run different plays and attack the defense in different ways. The defense must adapt to these changing formations.

Each player on the field has a specific position and responsibility within the offense and defensive groups: including the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, cornerback, and safety.

The offense has four downs, or attempts, to advance the ball 10 yards. If they reach 10 yards or more, they are given another first down and can repeat the process. If they fail to do so, they must turn over the ball to the other team. They then switch and become the defense to defend their side of the field, and the defense takes possession and becomes the offense.

The offense gets a first chance to move the ball 10 yards down the field; this is their first down. They must move the ball down the field by throwing it, the quarterback will pass it to another player. Or by running the ball, the quarterback will pass it to another player. All of this happens with the defense is trying to block their movement.

If they fail at their first attempt, they are allowed a second attempt or second down to advance the ball 10 yards. They must start at the yard where their first attempt failed. If they moved 1 yard, they have 9 yards left to reach the 10 yards necessary for another first down.

If they fail at their second attempt, they are allowed a third attempt or third down to advance the ball 10 yards. They must start at the yard where their second attempt failed. The same applies as before; if they reach another 2 yards (1+2=3), they now have 7 yards left to reach the 10 yards necessary for another first down.

If they fail at their third attempt, they are allowed a fourth attempt or a fourth down to advance the ball 10 yards. But strategy sets in on a fourth down in football.

The offense can run the ball on a fourth down to advance the 10 yards. If they advance 10 yards, they will begin again with a first down to continue toward their endzone. If they fail, the opposing team begins their possession where the team's attempt failed. It all depends on where they are on the field!

If they don't have a good field position, the offense has the option to punt the ball (only on a fourth down) to the other team, which then gives up the possession, but forces the other team to begin their possession deeper in their own territory.

And this is the basic game... possession goes back and forth between the offense and defense, who try with their down attempts to score points. So, let's talk about points!

The most known way is a touchdowwwwwwn! It is when a player carries the ball across the opponent's goal line into their endzone. It is worth 6 points.

After a touchdown, the scoring team has an opportunity to score an extra point. There are two options. The first is a goal kick. This is worth 1 point.

Another way to score is with a field goal. It is when the team's kicker kicks the ball through the opponent's goalpost, sometimes from a really impressive distance. This is worth 3 points.

A safety is a rare event and is usually either an upset or triumph for its fans. There are many ways it can occur, including the tackling of a quarterback in their own endzone, a punt going wrong or an offensive player being tackled in their own endzone. The points are awarded to the defense as it's a mishap by the offensive team.

The game is divided into four quarters, each 15 minutes long. There is a halftime break after the second quarter, and the clock stops at certain times during the game, such as when a player goes out of bounds, there is an incomplete pass, or to measure the exact yardage for a down.

Each team has three timeouts per half that they can use to stop the clock.

Professional football is officiated by a crew of seven officials, each with specific responsibilities such as monitoring the play clock, measuring first downs, and enforcing penalties.

If a player commits a foul, such as holding or unsportsmanlike conduct, the opposing team is given a penalty. Penalties typically result in a loss of yardage or downs for the offending team.

Coaches can challenge certain calls made by the officials by throwing a red flag on the field. If the challenge is successful, the call may be overturned.

Tackling is when a defender stops the ball carrier by grabbing and holding them. The tackler must bring the ball carrier to the ground, and the play is over once the ball carrier's knee or elbow touches the ground.

If a player catches a pass thrown by the opposing quarterback, it is called an interception, and the intercepting team can take possession and advance the ball from that spot on the field.

If a player loses control of the ball, it is called a fumble, and the ball becomes live for either team to recover and advance.

Football is a game of strategy, as teams must make decisions about what plays to run, when to use timeouts, and when to attempt field goals or go for it on fourth down, among other things.

Study up and review your newfound knowledge of football as you prepare to watch the Super Bowl! Will you be watching the game? Let us know!