The Rules of Football

Football

The roots of football go back hundreds of years, and it is now played on several continents. Although there are many subtypes of the game, they all have similarities. In medieval Europe, for example, rules of the game varied widely depending on the region and period. Today, it is the most popular sport in the United States. Unlike other team sports, football does not have a definite “right” way to play. Here are some of the most common methods of playing the game.

A forward pass, or incomplete pass, is a forward pass that flies out of bounds or touches the ground before being caught. When this occurs, the ball is returned to the line of scrimmage. If the player is tackled, he loses possession of the ball, which is called a fumble. The offensive team can then either recover the fumble or punt it back, which is known as a turnover on downs.

Throughout history, football has attracted millions of fans. Its widespread appeal led to its inclusion in the Olympic Games in the early twentieth century, with the first game played in the London Games. Ever since, football has been a part of the Summer Games. While it was not included in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics, it has continued to grow in popularity. In the twentieth century, FIFA, the world governing body for football, steadily built its reputation as a world authority and regulated the competition. In 1961, Guinea became the hundredth member of FIFA. In the 21st century, over 200 nations had registered with FIFA.