🏈 American football rules explained
Two teams of 11 move the ball by running and passing to reach the opponent's end zone. NFL games are four 15-minute quarters.
How scoring works
- Touchdown: 6 points
- Extra point (kick): 1 point, or two-point conversion: 2 points
- Field goal: 3 points
- Safety: 2 points
Key rules
- Downs
- The offence has four downs to gain 10 yards; success earns a new set of downs.
- Forward pass
- Only one forward pass per play, thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
- Penalties
- Infractions like holding, false start and pass interference move the ball by set yardages.
- Fair catch
- A returner can signal a fair catch and may not be tackled.
- Overtime
- NFL regular-season overtime is 10 minutes; playoff overtime continues until there is a winner.
- Challenges
- Coaches can challenge some calls with replay review.
Learn it, then test yourself
Ask follow-ups in plain language (English, हिन्दी or Français), then take a quick quiz. Points only, no money.
FAQ
How many points is a touchdown?
6 points, followed by a 1- or 2-point try.
How many downs do you get?
Four downs to gain 10 yards.
How long is an NFL game?
Four 15-minute quarters of game time.
AI-generated, checked against the official rulebook (NFL Rulebook). Competitions can vary; the governing body's laws are the final word. Last updated October 16, 2026. Spot a mistake? Report an error.