Football 101 – Canadian football Objectives, Game Play, & Scoring Drives

Objectives

The overall objective of Canadian Football is to outscore your opponent by scoring touchdowns, and field goals. Played on a field that is 110 yards long and 65 yards wide with 12 players per side, teams alternate turns playing offense and defense attempting to out due the other by collecting first downs and eventually driving down the field and scoring points. The game is played in four 15 minute quarters with one 15 minute break between the second and third quarters. The teams alternate side of the field and the end of each quarter and attempt to score in the opposite direction. Each team receive one timeout before and one after half time that can be used at anytime during the game. If the game is tied after all four quarters are completed an overtime will be completed. In overtime each team will get an opportunity from their opponents 35 yard line to score, the first team to out score the other wins. For example: Team A scores a touchdown in their first overtime possession, than Team B must score a touchdown to continue, a field goal would lose the game. However if Team A kicks a field goal, than Team B needs a field goal to continue but a touchdown will win the game for Team B.

Game Play

To start a Canadian football game, captains from each team meet for an official coin toss which will determine who receives the football first and who will defend what side of the field. To officially start the time clock, the opening kickoff ensues. The team receiving the ball first awaits for their opponent to kick the football from their 35 yard line so that they can attempt to return the football gaining field position. Once the play has been blown dead, the team who received the kick will attempt to play offense as they have possession of the football, whereas the kicking team will play defense. The offense has three downs to gain a first down before they must return the ball to the defense. To complete a first down the offense may chose to run the football by handing off to a ball carrier or having the quarterback run themselves to gain 10 yards. Also a passer (usually the quarterback) may pass the ball to an eligible receiver in an attempt to gain 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage. To start a down, the offensive line must be in a set position with the center snapping the ball between his legs to the quarterback who is directly behind. All players must be behind the line of scrimmage at all times before the snap of the football. While on defense, a team must attempt to stop the offensive team from achieving a first down by tackling the ball carrier before they reach the first down marker. If the defense holds the offense to less than ten yards on three consecutive plays than the offense must hand over ball possession. This is done by by either punting the football on third down or giving the ball to the defense on the line of scrimmage if they fail to convert on third down. This causes the offensive team to now play defense and the defensive team to play offense. Furthermore, at anytime if an defense were able to intercept the football or recover a fumble by the offense they will automatically receive ball possession from the spot where the ball carrier was down.

Scoring Drives

If an offensive team were to achieve consecutive first downs, eventually having possession of the football in the opponent’s end zone, a touchdown worth six points is awarded to the offense. Once a touchdown is scored, automatically the scoring team has a choice to kick a single extra point or attempt a two-point conversion from the opponent’s 5 yard line.

However, if an offensive team were to achieve consecutive first downs but is unable to score in the end zone, on third down they have an option to kick a field goal worth three points by kicking the football through the uprights. If the team were to miss the uprights but kick the football through the back of the end zone, a single point is awarded.

Furthermore, if a defense were to recover a fumble or intercept the football and return it into their opponents end zone a touchdown worth six points is awarded for the defensive team and will also have the option to kick a single point or attempt a two-point conversion.

A two-point safety is awarded if a defensive player were to tackle an offensive ball carrier in the ball carrier’s own end zone during a play. After a safety has been awarded, the team on defense has the option to take the football from their 35 yard line, receive a kickoff, or kickoff to their opponent.

Single points can be awarded to a offensive team in a punting situation if the ball becomes dead in their opponent’s end zone or is kicked beyond the end zone. After this has been awarded, the team receiving the punt will have possession on their 20 yard line.

After a touchdown, field goal (single point if applicable), the scoring team must always kickoff from their 35 yard line to their opponent.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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Football 101 – Canadian football Objectives, Game Play, & Scoring Drives


Objectives

The overall objective of Canadian Football is to outscore your opponent by scoring touchdowns, and field goals. Played on a field that is 110 yards long and 65 yards wide with 12 players per side, teams alternate turns playing offense and defense attempting to out due the other by collecting first downs and eventually driving down the field and scoring points.

The game is played in four 15 minute quarters with one 15 minute break between the second and third quarters. The teams alternate side of the field and the end of each quarter and attempt to score in the opposite direction. Each team receive one timeout before and one after half time that can be used at anytime during the game. If the game is tied after all four quarters are completed an overtime will be completed. In overtime each team will get an opportunity from their opponents 35 yard line to score, the first team to out score the other wins. For example: Team A scores a touchdown in their first overtime possession, than Team B must score a touchdown to continue, a field goal would lose the game. However if Team A kicks a field goal, than Team B needs a field goal to continue but a touchdown will win the game for Team B.

Game Play

To start a Canadian football game, captains from each team meet for an official coin toss which will determine who receives the football first and who will defend what side of the field. To officially start the time clock, the opening kickoff ensues. The team receiving the ball first awaits for their opponent to kick the football from their 35 yard line so that they can attempt to return the football gaining field position. Once the play has been blown dead, the team who received the kick will attempt to play offense as they have possession of the football, whereas the kicking team will play defense. The offense has three downs to gain a first down before they must return the ball to the defense. To complete a first down the offense may chose to run the football by handing off to a ball carrier or having the quarterback run themselves to gain 10 yards. Also a passer (usually the quarterback) may pass the ball to an eligible receiver in an attempt to gain 10 yards from the original line of scrimmage. To start a down, the offensive line must be in a set position with the center snapping the ball between his legs to the quarterback who is directly behind. All players must be behind the line of scrimmage at all times before the snap of the football. While on defense, a team must attempt to stop the offensive team from achieving a first down by tackling the ball carrier before they reach the first down marker. If the defense holds the offense to less than ten yards on three consecutive plays than the offense must hand over ball possession. This is done by by either punting the football on third down or giving the ball to the defense on the line of scrimmage if they fail to convert on third down. This causes the offensive team to now play defense and the defensive team to play offense. Furthermore, at anytime if an defense were able to intercept the football or recover a fumble by the offense they will automatically receive ball possession from the spot where the ball carrier was down.

Scoring Drives

If an offensive team were to achieve consecutive first downs, eventually having possession of the football in the opponent’s end zone, a touchdown worth six points is awarded to the offense. Once a touchdown is scored, automatically the scoring team has a choice to kick a single extra point or attempt a two-point conversion from the opponent’s 5 yard line.

However, if an offensive team were to achieve consecutive first downs but is unable to score in the end zone, on third down they have an option to kick a field goal worth three points by kicking the football through the uprights. If the team were to miss the uprights but kick the football through the back of the end zone, a single point is awarded.

Furthermore, if a defense were to recover a fumble or intercept the football and return it into their opponents end zone a touchdown worth six points is awarded for the defensive team and will also have the option to kick a single point or attempt a two-point conversion.

A two-point safety is awarded if a defensive player were to tackle an offensive ball carrier in the ball carrier’s own end zone during a play. After a safety has been awarded, the team on defense has the option to take the football from their 35 yard line, receive a kickoff, or kickoff to their opponent.

Single points can be awarded to a offensive team in a punting situation if the ball becomes dead in their opponent’s end zone or is kicked beyond the end zone. After this has been awarded, the team receiving the punt will have possession on their 20 yard line.

After a touchdown, field goal (single point if applicable), the scoring team must always kickoff from their 35 yard line to their opponent.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

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