Stroke of Glory: The Legacy of American Football

Welcome to the sport of the gridiron, where the defenses and offenses of each team seek victory and long for the great Super Bowl.

American football, born over a century ago in the United States, originated from English rugby, evolving into one of the most fiercely competitive contact sports in the USA. However, its reach has extended beyond American borders, now practiced in over seventy countries. Despite this widespread presence, the fervent passion for the sport is predominantly experienced in the United States, England, Mexico, and Canada.

In Canada, a variant of American football is played with some international rule variations, reflecting a unique blend of influences. Meanwhile, Mexico maintains adherence to the American rules while also embracing its own variation known as flag football or "tocho."

To decide which team starts attacking and which defends, a draw is made using a toss, a coin toss, with the presence of one or more players from each team (normally the captains). The winning team of the toss may choose for the start of the match or for the start of the second half (declining their choice): Whichever team wins the toss can choose to designate the team that will take the kickoff. Additionally, they can decide which side of the field their team will defend.

A team has four opportunities to move the ball at least ten yards and thus earn the right to keep the ball for at least another four downs. When a team achieves the minimum advance of ten yards within its block of four downs, it automatically obtains a new first down to advance ten yards again, that is, it obtains a first down. The team will move towards the opposing end zone until finding an opportunity to use one of its downs to score.

If a team fails to obtain the field position required to be entitled to another 4 plays in the four attempts available to it, the opposing team would take possession of the ball at the same point or yard where the first team finished its offensive series.

When a defensive player catches a pass from the opposing quarterback before the ball hits the ground or leaves the field, an interception is achieved and his team automatically obtains possession of the ball, having the opportunity to continue that same play to seek the score or as a at least start an offensive series at the point where he is knocked down.