On offense, teams may also attempt to score by kicking a field goal, which counts for 3 points. A field goal is scored by means of a place kick, in which one player holds the ball upright on the ground for a teammate to kick. For a successful field goal, the ball must be kicked between the goalposts and over the crossbar. After each field goal and extra-point conversion, the scoring team must kick off to its opponents. (Encarta 1996)
Finally, a defensive team earns 2 points for a safety when it causes the team on offense to end a play in possession of the ball behind its own goal line. If the offensive team downs the ball behind its line intentionally, in certain situations, such as after receiving a kickoff, the play is known as a touchback and does not count in the scoring. When the offensive team suffers a safety, it must punt the ball to the opponents to restart play. (Encarta 1998)
Football historians generally regard the birth date of football in the United States as November 6, 1869, when teams from Rutgers and Princeton universities met in New Brunswick, New Jersey, for the first intercollegiate football game. In the early games, each team used 25 players at a time. 1873 reduced the number to 20 players, in 1876 to 15 players, and in 1880 to 11 players, where it has remained. (Encarta 1996)
Works Cited
Dover, John Bailey History of Football New York: Baker Publishing Company, 1986
Encarta “American Football” Funk and Wagnall’s Microsoft 1996
Encarta “American Football” Funk and Wagnall’s Microsoft 1998
Gerhart, Douglas Facts About Football West Nyack: Parker Publishing Company, 1969