American Football (AKA Gridiron), with it's numerous stoppages, complex rule structure, enormous level of commercialism, and generally ludicrious levels of American outrageous-ness is often put in the 'too-hard' basket by sports fans on this side of the globe.
From the outside it does appear a tough sport to get into, but with a basic knowledge of the rules and structure of the game it can become a lot more accessible to your average sports fan. Plus the NFL season starts in late August, making it the perfect filler for that awkward period when the AFL and NRL seasons finish and the cricket season starts.
THE BASICS
The aim of the game to get the ball down to the other end of the field, much like rugby or league. Like league, you only get a certain number of tackles (or downs) to do so. In Gridiron you get four. With those four tackles you need to move the ball ten yards (9ish metres). If you successfully move the ball ten yards you get a fresh set of tackles/downs. In effect, you can crab your way slowly down-field as long you keep hitting those ten yards.
There are essentially two ways to move the ball: throw the ball, or run the ball. The Quarterback (AKA probably the most important player) is in charge of throwing the ball, and he stands behind the defensive linesmen (AKA the fat guys at the front), whose job it is to project the Quarterback from the other team's fatties. The rest of his team will spread out and run down the field, in an attempt to catch the ball thrown by the QB. The other option is to run the ball, where the QB hands the ball to a designated runner who runs straight at the wall of defensive fatties looking for a hole.
Other Basics
Getting the ball into the end-zone (what in rugby would be a 'try') is a touchdown. It is worth six points with an easy one-point conversion. The other most common scoring play is a field goal, worth three points, where the ball is placed on the ground for a designated kicker to kick it through the goals. The game is played in four 15-minute quarters.
With even this most basic knowledge sitting comfortably in the back your mind, you should find the experience of watching an American Football game less confusing, and hopefully more enjoyable.. With the playoffs about to begin there couldn't be a better time to jump in, especially with the Aussies being so shit at the cricket at the moment.
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