AMERICAN FOOTBALL
UPCOMING EVENTS & COMPETITIONS
13–16 AUGUST 2026
IFAF World Flag Football Championship
Düsseldorf, Germany
National teams from five continents compete in the faster, non-contact version of American football.
29 AUGUST 2026
Aer Lingus College Football Classic
Dublin, Ireland
TCU and North Carolina open their college football seasons at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
27 SEPTEMBER 2026
NFL Rio Game
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The Baltimore Ravens face the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL regular-season game at the Maracanã
Competition dates and arrangements may change. Confirm details with the event organiser before attending.
WHAT IS AMERICAN FOOTBALL?
American football is a full-contact field sport built around territory, power, speed and strategy. Two teams take turns attacking and defending, with the attacking team trying to move an oval ball down the field and into the opponent’s end zone. Progress is made through short bursts of play, using running, passing, blocking and tactical movement, while the defending team tries to stop the advance, force mistakes or win the ball back.
The game is played in phases called downs. Each attacking team usually has four chances to move the ball at least ten yards. If they succeed, they earn a fresh set of downs and continue the drive. If they fail, possession changes or the team may choose to kick. Points are scored by carrying or catching the ball in the end zone, kicking it through the goalposts, or forcing rare defensive scoring plays.
American football is highly specialised. Some players are built for strength and blocking, others for speed, catching, tackling, kicking or throwing. The result is a sport that can look chaotic at first, but is actually organised around planned plays, precise roles and constant tactical adjustment.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL PITCH
An American football field is a long rectangular playing area marked in yards. The main field of play is 100 yards long, with a 10-yard end zone at each end, making the full marked length 120 yards from back line to back line. The field is 53⅓ yards wide, with sidelines running along each side and end lines marking the back of each end zone.
The most important scoring areas are the two end zones. A team scores a touchdown by carrying the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catching the ball there. At the back of each end zone stands a tall goalpost, used for field goals and extra-point kicks. Unlike many field sports, the goal itself is not the main target during normal attacking play. Most of the game is about gaining territory, moving the ball forward, and reaching the end zone under pressure.
The field is divided by yard lines that run across its width. These lines help players, officials and spectators judge distance. Every five yards is usually marked clearly, with stronger markings at ten-yard intervals. The 50-yard line sits in the centre of the field. From there, the numbers count down towards each end zone, so both halves of the field mirror each other.
Shorter marks called hash marks run down the field between the sidelines. They show where the ball is placed after a play ends. If a player is tackled near the side of the field, the next play usually begins from the nearest hash mark rather than right against the sideline. This keeps the game structured and prevents the attack from being forced too close to the edge after every wide play.
Each play begins from the line of scrimmage, an imaginary line across the field where the ball is placed before the snap. The attacking team lines up on one side of this line and the defending team lines up on the other. Once the ball is snapped, both teams move at once. The attack tries to run, pass or protect the ball carrier, while the defence tries to stop progress, tackle the ball carrier, intercept a pass, or force a mistake.
Around the field are technical and team areas where substitutes, coaches, medical staff and equipment remain during the game. The playing surface may be natural grass or artificial turf, depending on the venue. Professional and college stadiums are often large, enclosed arenas, while school, amateur and community fields may be simpler, with basic markings, portable goalposts and shared facilities.
American football is unusual because players wear a full set of protective body armour as part of the standard game. The equipment is not decorative. It is designed to reduce the force of collisions, protect vulnerable joints and bones, and allow players to block, tackle, fall and absorb impact repeatedly during a match.
The most recognisable piece is the helmet. A modern American football helmet has a hard outer shell, internal padding, a faceguard and a chinstrap. The shell spreads impact across a wider surface, while the internal padding helps absorb force. The faceguard protects the mouth, nose, eyes and jaw from hands, elbows, helmets and the ball. A mouthguard is usually worn as well, helping protect the teeth and reduce jaw impact.
Shoulder pads create the sport’s distinctive broad upper-body shape. They sit across the shoulders, upper chest and upper back, with hard outer arches and softer inner padding. Their job is to protect the collarbone, shoulders, ribs and upper torso during tackles and blocks. Different positions use different shoulder pad shapes. Linemen often wear bulkier pads for heavy contact at close range, while quarterbacks, receivers and defensive backs may use lighter, lower-profile pads that allow more arm movement and speed.
Below the waist, players usually wear padded trousers or a padded girdle. These include protection for the thighs, hips, knees and tailbone. Thigh pads help absorb tackles to the upper leg. Hip pads protect the pelvis when a player is hit from the side or lands heavily. Knee pads reduce impact when falling or being tackled low. Tailbone padding helps protect the base of the spine when a player lands backwards.
Some players add extra protection depending on position, injury history or preference. Rib protectors can hang below the shoulder pads to shield the sides of the torso. Back plates protect the lower spine area, especially for quarterbacks, running backs and receivers who may be hit from behind. Neck rolls or collars are sometimes used by players in high-contact positions, although they are less common than in earlier eras. Gloves are also common, giving grip, hand protection and some cushioning against catches, blocks and contact.
The armour changes the look and movement of the sport. Players appear larger than they are, collisions sound heavier, and contact can seem more violent because the equipment allows bodies to meet at speed. Even so, the armour does not make the game safe in a simple sense. It reduces some injuries, especially cuts, bruises, fractures and direct blows to protected areas, but it cannot remove the risks of concussion, joint damage, muscle injury or repeated impact. Correct fitting, coaching, tackling technique and rule enforcement matter as much as the equipment itself.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT
Simple Rules of American Football
American football is played between two teams. Each team has 11 players on the field at a time. One team attacks with the ball, while the other team defends. The attacking team is called the offence. The defending team is called the defence. Special teams come onto the field for kicking plays, such as kick-offs, punts, field goals and extra-point attempts.
The aim is to score more points than the opponent. The offence tries to move the ball down the field and into the opponent’s end zone. The defence tries to stop that progress, tackle the ball carrier, break up passes, force mistakes, or win possession of the ball.
The game is built around short plays called downs. A down begins when the ball is snapped from the ground to start the play. The play ends when the ball carrier is tackled, goes out of bounds, scores, throws an incomplete pass, or the officials stop the play for another reason.
The offence usually has four downs to move the ball at least 10 yards. If it succeeds, it earns a new first down and gets four more chances to continue the attack. If it fails to gain 10 yards in four downs, possession changes to the other team. This is why American football is often described as a game of territory. The offence is always trying to gain enough ground to keep the drive alive.
On most plays, the offence can either run or pass. In a running play, the ball is handed to a runner who tries to carry it forward. In a passing play, the quarterback throws the ball to an eligible receiver. A completed pass allows the receiver to keep running until tackled or forced out. An incomplete pass stops the play and the next down begins from the same place.
The line of scrimmage is the imaginary line across the field where the ball is placed before each play. The offence lines up on one side of this line and the defence lines up on the other. Players cannot simply cross early. If either side moves illegally before the snap, a penalty may be called.
A touchdown is the main way to score. It is worth 6 points and is scored when a player carries the ball into the opponent’s end zone or catches the ball there. After a touchdown, the scoring team gets a try. It can kick the ball through the goalposts for 1 extra point, or it can attempt to run or pass the ball into the end zone again for 2 points.
A field goal is worth 3 points. This is scored when a team kicks the ball through the opponent’s goalposts during normal play. Teams usually try a field goal when they are close enough to kick but not confident of reaching the end zone.
A safety is worth 2 points. It usually happens when the defence tackles the attacking ball carrier in his own end zone, or when the offence commits certain serious mistakes near its own goal line. After a safety, the team that gave up the points must kick the ball away.
Possession can change in several ways. The simplest is when a team fails to gain 10 yards in four downs. Possession can also change after a punt, after a score, or through a turnover. A turnover happens when the defence intercepts a pass or recovers a loose ball called a fumble.
A punt is a tactical kick used to give the ball away on purpose but push the opponent far down the field. Teams often punt on fourth down if they are too far away to try a field goal and too far from the first-down marker to risk another attacking play.
The game is divided into timed periods called quarters. In many senior versions of the sport, a match has four quarters. The clock stops often, so the real time needed to play a match is usually much longer than the official playing time.
Penalties are used to punish illegal actions. Common penalties include holding, pass interference, false starts, offside, illegal contact, roughing the passer and unnecessary roughness. A penalty usually moves the ball forward or backward by a set number of yards, depending on which team committed the offence and how serious it was.
American football can look complicated because every play starts, stops and resets. The basic idea is simpler than it first appears. The offence has four chances to gain 10 yards, keep possession and work towards the end zone. The defence tries to stop that progress and take the ball back. Everything else is built around that contest for space, possession and scoring position.
Career & Income Opportunities in American Football
American football has one of the largest sport economies in the world, but the paid route is highly concentrated. The strongest salaries sit in the NFL, major college football, elite coaching, broadcasting, franchise operations, sports medicine, analysis, equipment, events and commercial services. For most players, especially outside the United States, the realistic route begins as amateur sport, then becomes semi professional, scholarship linked, coaching linked, or business linked before it becomes a true wage earning career.
THE PLAYER
The playing pathway usually begins through school teams, youth clubs, community teams, university programmes, private academies, local leagues or national federation structures. Beginners first learn safe contact, stance, blocking, tackling, catching, throwing, kicking, positional movement and the basic rhythm of downs. From there, serious players move into better coached teams, regional trials, national camps, showcase events, college recruitment routes or senior league football.
In the United States, the clearest playing pathway runs through high school football, college football and professional scouting. Talented players may earn college opportunities, athletic support, visibility and access to elite coaching. The route remains fiercely competitive. A strong high school player does not automatically become a college player, and a strong college player does not automatically become a professional. Size, speed, durability, position, academic eligibility, film quality, coaching references and timing all matter.
Outside the United States, the playing pathway is usually less direct. Players may begin with local contact football clubs, university teams, regional leagues or national federation programmes. The best may aim for national teams, European clubs, specialist academies, US college opportunities, Canadian routes, or international development programmes. A late starter with exceptional size, speed or transferable athletic ability may still attract attention, especially in positions such as offensive line, defensive line, tight end, wide receiver, linebacker, kicker or punter, but the pathway is narrow.
Player income varies sharply. At local and amateur level, players are usually unpaid and may pay fees, buy kit, travel to games and contribute to club costs. Semi professional teams may offer expenses, small match payments, accommodation help or local sponsorship, but these payments are rarely enough to live on. True professional money exists at the top end, especially in the NFL and other major professional systems, but the number of available places is tiny compared with the number of people who play.
The sensible warning is that American football is a poor plan if the only goal is quick player income. It is a better plan for someone who wants to compete seriously while building useful secondary routes around coaching, fitness, media, analysis, officiating, events, education, equipment or sports business. The sport rewards commitment, but it also punishes unrealistic expectations.
THE COACH
Coaching is one of the strongest career routes in American football because the sport is technical, specialised and difficult to teach casually. A coach may work with beginners learning safe contact, youth players learning fundamentals, school athletes preparing for competition, university players developing specialist skills, or senior teams working on tactics and performance.
The first coaching step is usually volunteer or assistant work with a local club, school, youth programme or university team. A new coach may begin by helping with warm ups, drills, equipment, player organisation or one position group. Over time, the route can develop into position coaching, offensive coaching, defensive coaching, special teams coaching, strength and conditioning support, video review, scouting, playbook design or head coaching.
American football coaching can be highly specialised. Quarterback coaches work on footwork, throwing mechanics, reads and decision making. Offensive line coaches teach stance, hand placement, leverage, pass protection and run blocking. Defensive coaches teach tackling, pursuit angles, coverage, pressure, gap discipline and situational awareness. Kicking coaches work with kickers, punters and long snappers. Strength and conditioning coaches support speed, power, injury prevention and contact readiness.
Income starts slowly. Local coaching may be unpaid, expenses based or part time. Private coaching can generate income where there is enough demand, especially for quarterbacks, receivers, linemen, kickers, combine preparation, speed training or youth development. School, college and professional coaching can become full time work, but those roles require experience, references, safeguarding knowledge, technical ability and often formal qualifications or federation approved training.
For a beginner trying to build income, the practical route is to become useful at local level first. Learn the rules. Learn safety. Get certified where the national body provides courses. Help a club run better sessions. Build trust with parents, players and organisers. Then develop a specialist service, such as quarterback training, line coaching, kicking coaching, youth camps, video review, or structured off season conditioning.
Officiating & Refereeing Pathway
Officiating is one of the clearest paid side routes in American football. Every organised game needs officials, and tackle football cannot function safely without trained referees who understand contact, timing, penalties, substitutions, sideline management and player conduct.
A new official usually starts through a national federation, officials association or local league training scheme. The early work involves learning signals, field positioning, penalty enforcement, down management, game clock rules, player safety rules and communication with coaches. American football uses several officials on the field, so beginners can develop under more experienced referees rather than having to control every part of the match alone from day one.
Payment is usually per game, per event or per tournament day. Local income is unlikely to replace a full time wage, but it can become a useful part time stream for someone who is reliable, available at weekends, physically capable of moving around the field and willing to keep learning. As the level rises, officials may work higher division games, national finals, international fixtures, college games or professional assignments, depending on country and pathway.
Officiating also creates authority. A good official becomes valuable to clubs, leagues, schools and event organisers because they help games run safely and credibly. Someone who combines officiating with coaching education, rules content, league administration or event work can build a stronger role around the sport than someone who only waits for match fees.
THE EVENT ORGANISER
Event organisation is one of the most practical career routes in American football because the sport needs structure before it can grow. A match is not just two teams turning up with a ball. It needs a marked field, changing areas, equipment, officials, medical cover, insurance, player registration, fixtures, transport, coaches, volunteers, scorekeeping, sideline control and clear safety procedures.
The entry route usually begins at club or university level. A new organiser may start by helping with registration, kit checks, player communication, travel plans, match day setup, social media, ticketing or volunteer coordination. This early work is useful because it teaches the practical reality of the sport. American football has more moving parts than many team sports, especially because of helmets, pads, specialist positions, large squads and safety requirements.
Development comes from learning how to run small events properly before trying to organise large ones. A beginner might help with a youth training day, a local fixture, a rookie camp, a trial session, a combine-style testing day or a small tournament. From there, the route can grow into league administration, club management, school programmes, university events, regional competitions, national finals, training camps or commercial showcase events.
The best organisers understand both sport and logistics. They know how many players and coaches are expected, whether the field is correctly marked, which officials are booked, where medical staff will stand, how teams will warm up, where spectators can go, how equipment will be stored and what happens if the weather, transport or timetable fails. Good planning keeps the day calm. Poor planning can create delays, safety risks and unhappy teams.
Income can come from player entry fees, team fees, camp fees, ticket sales, sponsorship, local advertising, food vendors, merchandise, photography, video packages, school partnerships or venue partnerships. At small scale, this may only cover costs. At larger scale, well-run events can become a serious business, especially where there is demand for youth development, recruitment days, off-season training, coaching clinics or international-style tournaments.
American football events are expensive compared with simpler sports. The organiser may need to budget for field hire, insurance, officials, medical cover, security, equipment, printing, trophies, marketing, staff, travel, storage and emergency planning. Because of this, the safest route is to start lean. A reliable one-day camp or small tournament is better than an ambitious event that collapses under cost, confusion or poor staffing.
For someone entering the profession, the practical route is to volunteer with an existing club, learn match day operations, build contacts with officials and coaches, understand insurance and safeguarding, then organise small, well-managed events. The organiser who becomes trusted is the one who makes the game feel professional before the money is professional. In American football, that trust is valuable.
THE REFEREE
Officiating is one of the clearest career routes in American football because every organised game needs trained officials. The sport is fast, physical and rule-heavy, so officials do more than blow a whistle. They manage safety, penalties, timing, possession, substitutions, player conduct and the rhythm of the game. A good official must look calm, but also needs authority. Players are large, contact is heavy, coaches can be emotional, and decisions often have to be made instantly.
The first step is usually to contact the national governing body, local league or officials association in the country where the person wants to work. Most new officials begin with a beginner course covering the rules, field positions, hand signals, penalty enforcement, down management, clock control and player safety. They may also need to pass a rules test, complete safeguarding requirements, learn concussion protocols and understand how to report incidents properly after a match.
American football is normally officiated by a crew rather than one referee working alone. Different officials watch different parts of the field. One may focus on the line of scrimmage, another on receivers and defensive backs, another on the ball carrier, another on kicking plays or sideline movement. This helps beginners develop because they do not have to control the whole match immediately. They learn one role, work under more experienced officials, then gradually take on more responsibility.
Early experience usually comes through youth games, university fixtures, amateur leagues, development matches or tournament days. At this stage, the aim is not just to know the rules, but to build match sense. A developing official learns where to stand, what to watch, when to throw a flag, when not to interfere, how to speak to captains, how to calm a sideline and how to keep control without making themselves the centre of attention.
Progression normally depends on reliability, assessments, fitness, rules knowledge and the confidence of senior officials. A referee who turns up prepared, communicates well, keeps learning and handles pressure can move into better fixtures, playoff games, national finals, international events or professional development routes where available. The best officials review their own games, study video, attend clinics, update their rule knowledge every season and accept feedback from assessors.
Income usually starts as a per-game or per-event payment. At local level, officiating is often a part-time income stream rather than a full-time job. It can still be valuable because demand is steady wherever organised American football exists. Higher-level assignments can pay more, but they also expect stronger fitness, sharper judgement, travel, professionalism and a record of dependable performance.
For someone entering the profession, the practical route is simple: learn the game properly, join an officials association, complete the entry course, work beginner fixtures, find a mentor, stay available on match days and build a reputation for fairness. Officiating suits people who are disciplined, intelligent, physically steady and able to make unpopular decisions without losing control. The best officials protect the game. They keep it safe, fair and credible.
THE CONTENT CREATOR
Content creation is a realistic route into American football because the sport is visual, tactical and often confusing to new audiences. Many people watch highlights without fully understanding positions, formations, downs, play calling, blocking, coverage or why a coach made a certain decision. A clear creator can turn that complexity into useful, watchable content.
The entry route usually begins with learning the game properly. A new creator should understand the basic rules, player positions, scoring, penalties, common formations and the difference between offence, defence and special teams. From there, they can choose a content angle. Some creators explain beginner rules. Some break down tactics. Some cover local clubs. Others focus on player training, equipment, college recruitment, international football, women’s football, fantasy football, NFL analysis or behind-the-scenes team culture.
A beginner does not need a broadcast studio. The simplest starting point is a phone, a basic microphone, simple editing software and a clear idea. Short videos can explain one rule, one position or one famous play. Longer videos can analyse a game, interview a player, visit a club, review equipment or follow a team through a season. Written content can also work through newsletters, blogs, match reports, scouting notes and social media threads.
Development comes from consistency and credibility. A creator should avoid pretending to know more than they do. It is better to explain simple topics accurately than to produce confident but wrong tactical analysis. Over time, the creator can improve by speaking to coaches, officials and players, filming training sessions, studying rulebooks, attending games, learning video analysis and building a library of useful content. The stronger the knowledge, the more valuable the content becomes.
Income is usually slow at first. Most creators will not earn much from early videos or posts. Money may come later through advertising, sponsorship, affiliate links, paid newsletters, coaching leads, club media work, event coverage, photography, video packages, commentary, podcast sponsorship or brand partnerships. A creator who can film, edit, interview, write and explain clearly becomes more useful than someone who only posts opinions.
There is also a practical local route. Many clubs need better photography, match highlights, player interviews, recruitment videos, social media posts, sponsor graphics and event promotion. A creator can start by helping a local team look more professional, then build a portfolio for other clubs, leagues, schools, camps or tournaments. This can become a service business before it becomes a large online audience.
For someone entering the profession, the best route is to pick a clear niche, learn the sport seriously, publish regularly, improve production quality and build trust. American football rewards good explanation because the game has so many moving parts. A creator who helps people understand what they are watching can build a real place in the sport.
AMERICAN FOOTBALL
ORGANISATIONS
& LEAGUES
Here is a non-exhaustive set of organisations involved with American Football worldwide.
International Federation of American Football
The International Federation of American Football, usually known as IFAF, is the global governing body for American football. It oversees international competition, member federations, global rules structures, continental development and the connection between tackle football, flag football and Olympic pathway activity. It is the best starting point for understanding how the sport is organised internationally.
Best for: global structure, international rules, national federations and world competition.
British American Football Association
The British American Football Association, usually known as BAFA, is the national governing body for American football in Great Britain. It oversees domestic competition, club structures, contact and non-contact football, development activity and the wider organisation of the sport in Britain. It is the key starting point for UK-based players, coaches, officials and clubs.
Best for: British clubs, UK participation, domestic leagues, coaching and local player entry.
Women’s Football Alliance
The Women’s Football Alliance, usually known as the WFA, is a women’s tackle football league in the United States. It is important because full-contact American football has historically been male-dominated, while women’s tackle football has had to build its own leagues, teams, visibility and player opportunities. The WFA is a strong diversity entry because it focuses on women playing the full tackle version of the sport, not only flag football.
Best for: women’s tackle football, female player pathways, visibility and inclusive development.
USA Football
USA Football is the national governing body for American football in the United States. It supports tackle and flag football through coach education, player development, national team pathways, rules resources, events and safety-focused training. It is especially useful for players, coaches, officials and organisers who want a recognised American pathway rather than casual local play.
Best for: U.S. national team pathways, coaching education, officiating and serious player development.
Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano
The Confederação Brasileira de Futebol Americano, or CBFA, is Brazil’s national American football organisation. Brazil is one of the more important American football markets in South America, with domestic competition, national teams, flag football activity and a growing player base. It is a useful reference point for understanding how the sport is developing outside the traditional North American centre.
Best for: Brazilian football, South American development, national teams and regional growth.
American Football Australia
American Football Australia is the governing organisation for American football in Australia. The sport is often known locally as gridiron, and Australia has produced athletes who have moved into international and professional pathways, especially through kicking, punting and development routes. It is a useful Oceania reference point for players and organisers outside the US system.
Best for: Australian gridiron, Oceania development, local leagues and international player pathways.
National Football League
The National Football League is the top professional American football league and the most commercially powerful organisation in the sport. It runs the NFL season, Super Bowl, international games, youth development activity and international player initiatives such as the International Player Pathway. It is not a beginner governing body, but it is the main reference point for the professional game.
Best for: professional football, elite player pathways, international expansion and the commercial model of the sport.
Egyptian Federation of American Football
The Egyptian Federation of American Football, usually known as EFAF, is the official governing body for American football in Egypt. It oversees national leagues, tournaments, tackle football, flag football and national team activity. Egypt is also useful as an African reference point because organised American football on the continent is still developing and often depends on active national federations building the sport from the ground up.
Best for: African development, Egyptian leagues, tackle football, flag football and national team pathways.
Japan American Football Association
The Japan American Football Association, usually known as JAFA, is one of the most established American football organisations outside North America. Japan has a long American football history, with school, university, company and senior competition structures. JAFA is useful for understanding how the sport can become deeply organised in a non-US country.
Best for: Asian American football, Japanese competition, university football and long-term sport development.
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