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American-Football
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American-Football
American football is a unique sport that combines supreme athleticism with strategy and deception. This two-faceted sport may not be widespread in the Philippines, but OkBet believes that the sport has the potential to provide quality entertainment and big winnings for avid gamblers.
We are the biggest name in promoting American football to the Filipino public. With our betting market, we provide Filipino gamblers and sports fans more reasons to watch one of the world’s most action-packed sports.
While this sport is predominantly a game predominantly loved by Americans, its appeal can easily transcend borders. For this reason, we’ve worked to become a cornerstone for American football betting in the country.
If you’re itching to win money through betting on these games, we’re the perfect platform to do it on.
Two teams of 11 players play American football on a rectangular field. Both teams aim to outscore the opponent by carrying or throwing the ball into their opponent’s end zone. They also score by kicking the ball through the opposing goalposts.
The game is divided into four quarters, and the length of each quarter will vary on the game’s level (15 minutes in professional football, 12 minutes in college football). Since the game is physically rough, players wear protective equipment like helmets, shoulder pads, and other gear.
Teams devise creative ways to stop their opponents on both sides of the game. There have been plenty of instances when downs were decided by mere inches or seconds, resulting in highlight plays on both sides of the ball.
Thanks to its robust support system from the grassroots to the professional level, American football has become a massive phenomenon in the United States. While other nations are slow on the uptake, the world is slowly recognizing the game for its own merits.
Like its name suggests, American football shares its status with basketball and baseball as sports that originated in the United States. However, a quick look at the history of American football will point to the game’s origins across the Atlantic.
Its proper name is gridiron football due to the vertical yard lines on the field. Everyone agrees the sport is derived from rugby and association football, two seemingly different games nowadays. However, the two shared similar traits during the 19th century.
The game first appeared across North America, with American universities increasingly becoming fascinated with the newly created sport. The first intercollegiate football game happened between players from Princeton and Rutgers on November 6, 1869.
Differing varieties of the game were being played then, but Walter Camp established the rules that helped football become the phenomenon it is today. The Yale University athlete and coach is dubbed the “Father of American Football” for his contributions to the sport.
He introduced innovations such as removing and replacing the opening scrummage with downs. He also introduced 11-man teams, specific positions, the line of scrimmage, and other rules that characterize the sport.
However, it wasn’t until 1920 that the American Professional Football Association was introduced. This became the watershed moment for the sport, as its professionalization became the key to the spectacle that American football is today.
Bettors who aren’t aware of the rugby vs American football conversation will probably think that the two sports are pretty much the same. The thought is understandable, given that both games aim to bring the ball to the opposing end zone.
However, one of the most noticeable differences is the number of players allowed to play simultaneously. American football only allows 11 players, while rugby requires 15 athletes to stand on the field.
American football players can also come in and out of the game whenever they please. Meanwhile, rugby shares the same substitution rules as soccer: a substituted rugby player isn’t allowed to return once taken off. Moreover, subs can only be made seven times throughout the game.
Another stark difference between American football and rugby is the amount of protective equipment. American football players wear helmets, shoulder and chest pads, leg protectors, and gum shields. Meanwhile, rugby athletes usually only wear a gum shield for their heads.
Finally, the pace is the other big difference between the two. Play is almost non-stop for rugby, while American football plays usually end when the ball hits the ground or is taken to the end zone.
American football rules may seem complicated to the uninitiated fan. While watching football games more frequently will eventually clue you in, having a basic understanding of the rules will help you see the game’s nuances more clearly.
Football games are divided into four quarters, with a half-time break after the second quarter. Depending on the game level, each quarter will be 12 or 15 minutes each.
Each team will have three time-outs per half that they can use at any point. Should the game end in a tie, a 15-minute sudden-death overtime will be played.
American football has a peculiar scoring system, so it pays to know how teams get the win.
A touchdown is worth six points, and teams get the TD when the team crosses the opposing goal line with the ball or catches the ball in the end zone.
An extra point usually follows a TD, where the team either kicks the ball through the uprights for an extra point. They also have the option to get two points by taking the ball into the end zone again.
A field goal is worth three points, and they’re usually attempted on fourth down if the kicker is close enough to the uprights to kick the ball through them.
A defensive team can also score a safety when an offensive team member is tackled with the ball in his end zone. This is worth two points.
This is the most fundamental feature that differentiates American football from most sports. The offensive team is given four tries to move the ball forward in 10-yard sections. Every time the ball advances past ten yards, a new set of downs is given to the offensive team.
The process continues until the offensive team reaches the end zone. However, the task becomes more difficult for the offensive team as the defense has to cover a smaller area during red-zone situations.
Team captains for each team will meet and determine which side starts first through a coin toss. The winning side will determine whether they receive the ball first. They also decide which side of the field they want to start from.
The gridiron field is measured at 120 yards in length and 53 ½ yards in width. Goal lines are found at the opposing ends of each field, measured precisely 100 yards apart.
The field is also cut by yard lines every five yards; the middle yard line is called the 50-yard line. The goalposts are found at the end of each football end zone.
American football nowadays plays differently from how it was when it was founded. While the early forms of the game had everyone doing different things, the modern game has athletes specialized in one specific task.
We have an American football positions list to help you if you’re unfamiliar with these positions. We’ll start with the offensive position before transitioning to defense and special teams.
It’s fair to call the quarterback the brains of the offense. Often called the signal caller or field general, the QB’s main responsibility is finding the open man to throw the ball to. They also call plays and make on-field adjustments based on what the defense is showing.
Quarterbacks must have strong arms and the vision to throw the ball to their targets. The more successful field generals nowadays also have great scrambling abilities to escape defensive blitzes.
The offensive lineman’s job isn’t glamorous but vital to his team’s success. They protect the QB from rushing defenders, allowing him time to make the right call. A terrible offensive line will only invite pressure, which most likely results in sacks and a stagnant offense.
There must always be five men protecting the quarterback from rushing defenders. From the QB’s POV, the positions are the following:
As its name suggests, the running back’s main duty is to take the ball from the quarterback and rush past the defenders to get downs. They must be quick and agile to avoid defenders at break-neck speeds.
A quality running back is necessary for a successful. Solely relying on the passing game will only close up potential routes, and a quality RB will force teams to keep themselves honest with their coverage.
Fullbacks are a strange mix of a running back and an offensive lineman. They are powerful runners who cannot be taken down after a single tackle. They’re also great blockers that can contribute to the passing and rushing game.
While the position has fallen out of favor among the biggest leagues, it’s still viable for most professional and collegiate teams.
Wide receivers are some of the fastest players on the team. They line up at or near the line of scrimmage, usually outside the offensive line. They catch passes usually thrown by the quarterback and run toward the end zone.
Their athleticism allows them to make unbelievable catches and memorable highlights that fans keep discussing.
Players who play tight end juggle various responsibilities. They are big and strong enough to contribute to the offensive line. However, they’re also quick enough to beat linebackers and make receptions as another outlet for the quarterback.
They usually locate beside the offensive line and move from there.
Players categorized as defensive linemen aim to get to the quarterback and prevent the ball from moving forward. The linemen lined up in the middle are known as defensive tackles, while players positioned at the edges are known as defensive ends.
They use explosive power and skill to get past opposing linemen and get to the ball quickly. These linemen are essential components of QB blitzes as they try to make the opposing signal caller panic on the attack.
These players position themselves behind the defensive line. Depending on the number of linemen deployed, there will be three or four linebackers. Linebackers are usually smaller and faster than defensive linemen, making them critical for defensive blitzes.
They’re also responsible for guarding the run game should the offense run the ball through a running back. A linebacker should be strong enough to stop an RB coming in at full speed.
Cornerbacks, alongside the safeties, are part of the defensive backfield or secondary. They’re lined up outside the line of scrimmage and find a wide receiver to mark.
They’re usually the fastest defenders, as they must keep up with speedy wide receivers. They often attempt to make an interception or swat the ball to render the pass attempt incomplete.
These players are the last line of defense for the defending team. They have the main responsibility of shoring up any gaps in the defense and prevent the offensive team from advancing the ball.
There are two variations of the position, strong and free safety. The strong safety covers the strong side of the opposing attack, which usually involves the tight end. Meanwhile, the free safety patrols the back for any wideouts that come their way.
The kicker kicks the ball off the ground during kickoffs. They’re also in charge of attempting field goals and the extra point.
Should a team fail to get the first down in their first three downs, they can try to go for the first down in their last down. However, teams usually take the safer option and call on the punter.
The punter’s sole responsibility is to kick the ball to the other team, ensuring it flies high enough to end up as far away from their end zone as possible.
Some teams also have the punter take on kicking responsibilities or hold the ball for the kicker during field goal attempts.
Kick returners the ball after the kickoff and run towards the end zone. They have a tough task ahead of them as the rest of the opposing team will target them alone.
Punt returners share the same responsibility as kick returners but mostly focus on balls launched by punters. However, they can choose not to catch the ball if they feel it’ll end up in their end zone. Doing so will give them automatic 25 yards.
The long snapper is the center focused on throwing the ball to the punter or kicker. They train to throw the ball as far as possible to protect it from the defense.
American football offers the best of both worlds for sports fans who want frantic action and captivating tactics. The complex yet straightforward nature of the sport makes it a great sport to bet on.
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