Adam Scriven’s guide to NFL rules for beginners includes how long the Super Bowl lasts, common NFL penalties and how teams can score points.
The tension is building ahead of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans as the Philadelphia Eagles prepare to take on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Andy Reid’s Chiefs are one win away from an unprecedented NFL ‘three-peat’ as they try to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a third successive year.
The Super Bowl is one of, if not the biggest sporting event in the world and millions around the world tune in to witness the occasion.
While there are tens of thousands of NFL fans in the UK, plenty of people will watch the sport for the first time in February and here is a breakdown of what to watch out for.
How long is an NFL game?
Each NFL game is split into four quarters, all lasting 15 minutes. The half-time interval comes after the second quarter, and including stoppages, and timeouts, NFL games usually take three hours to complete.
Each team receives three timeouts in each half, which are used to stop the clock. Once a team has no timeouts remaining, they are unable to stop the clock, which can prove crucial in the fourth quarter.
Coaches also begin the game with two challenges, which can be used to review decisions made on the field by the officiating crew. If a coach’s challenge is unsuccessful, they must forfeit a timeout. If a coach uses two challenges successfully, they receive a third challenge.
Matches that are level after 60 minutes go to overtime, where teams play for a further 10 minutes to decide the winner. In the playoffs and the Super Bowl, both teams will get the chance to score a touchdown during overtime, whereas in the regular season, if the team in possession first scores a touchdown, they will win the game.
Throughout the game, a play clock is running which dictates how long the offence has to start their next play after the previous one ends. The play clock is set to 40 seconds, or 25 seconds in certain circumstances, such as after a change of possession, a penalty or timeout.
How to score points in the NFL
A typical NFL roster consists of 53 players during the regular season, with a further 16 players on the practice squad. Each team is split into three groups, an attacking unit, a defensive one and a special teams group.
As expected, the offence are tasked with scoring points, the defence try to stop that and the special teams unit are used for kick-offs, field goals and punts.
Teams have four attempts, better known as downs, to progress 10 yards. If they achieve that, they get another four downs to repeat it.
The aim is to progress down the field and to score points, with a touchdown worth six points.
After scoring a touchdown, teams can attempt an extra point by kicking the ball through the posts, or they can try for a two-point conversion. To achieve that, they have to either run or complete a pass in the opposition’s end zone.
A field goal, which is basically a converted kick, is worth three points, while teams can also score two points via a “safety”. To complete a successful safety, defensive players must tackle an opposition player in their own end zone.
Common NFL penalties
On several occasions during an NFL game, referees will throw a yellow flag onto the field of play. This indicates a penalty after a player has committed a violation of one of the rules of the game. Following the play, the referee will announce the reason for the penalty. Some of the most common penalties include:
Holding – A player has grabbed an opponent in order to gain an advantage. While offensive players are allowed to block their opponents, they cannot grab them by the jersey or pull them from behind. Defensive holding typically occurs when a defensive player prevents an offensive player from running freely off the ball by grabbing them. Offensive holding results in a 10-yard penalty, while defensive holding is worth five yards.
False start – A false start occurs when an offensive player moves before the ball is snapped. This results in a five-yard penalty for the offensive team.
Offside – This is when a player from either side crosses past the line of scrimmage as the ball is snapped. It results in a five-yard loss for the offending team.
Pass interference – When a ball is thrown forwards, only limited contact is allowed between players. If a play from either team unfairly inhibits another player from catching a pass, then pass interference is called. For defensive pass interference, the offensive team is awarded a penalty at the spot of the foul. For offensive pass interference, a 10-yard loss is enforced upon the offensive team.
Roughing the passer – If a defensive player makes forcible contact with the quarterback after they have thrown the ball, roughing the passer is called. This is particularly strongly enforced when it comes to contact with the quarterback’s head. Roughing the passer is a serious foul which results in a 15-yard penalty.
What to expect from Super Bowl LIX?
The event is not just known for the game, with a half-time entertainment show taking centre stage in one of the biggest events in the American cultural calendar.
Kendrick Lamar will perform at half-time this year, and it promises to be a fascinating night.
The Eagles will be out for revenge after losing 38-35 to the Chiefs in 2022, while another win for Kansas would cement their place in the history books.
Philadelphia have reached the Super Bowl thanks to the form of running back Saquon Barkley, who has led the league in rushing yards, but the Chiefs are always dangerous thanks to the ability of quarterback Patrick Mahomes.