Football is more specialized than any major sport. Each football team has 11 players on offense, 11 on defense and 11 each on its offensive and defensive special teams. Almost no one in the National Football League plays offense and defense. Most baseball, basketball and hockey players play both. Football's specialization means that players at different positions have different goals.
Offense
A football player's No. 1 goal is to score points, especially via touchdowns. To score a touchdown, a player passes or runs the football past one of the two goal lines, which are 100 yards apart. The quarterback passes the football to two wide receivers, one tight end and two running backs, who also score most of the running touchdowns. The five linemen don't usually score.
A player's No. 2 goal is to make big plays that move the football much closer to the goal line. Most big plays occur when a quarterback throws the football 20 yards or more to wide receivers, who often run after a catch. A quarterback with a strong and accurate arm is often a team's most important player.
Goal No. 3 is to get first downs by advancing the football 10 yards in four or fewer plays. Running backs often run through and around defenders for first downs. First downs allow the offense to keep the ball and improve its chances of scoring points.
Goal No. 4 is to block defensive players who are trying to stop the offensive players. The linemen focus on blocking.
Defense
A defensive player's first goal, goal No. 5, is to prevent the other team from scoring. Defenses commonly have four linemen, three linebackers and four players in the secondary. Defensive players try to tackle offensive players before they cross the goal line.
Goal No. 6 is to force the offense to punt to the defensive players' teammates by preventing a first down on three successive plays. The line's two tackles and two ends often prevent first downs by tackling running backs.
Goal No. 7 is to take the football away from the offense. The secondary's two cornerbacks and two safeties often achieve this via interceptions--the catches of a ball thrown by the quarterback. Defensive players also force offensive players to fumble, or drop the ball. Linebackers focus on goals 6 and 7.
Special Teams
A special team's first goal, goal No. 8, is to score three points by kicking field goals through goal posts that are 10 yards behind the goal lines. Kickers usually enter the game when the offense is within 30 yards of a touchdown but is concerned that they will not score any points by failing on fourth down to get a touchdown or first down.
Goal No. 9 is to punt the ball so high and long that the other team's punt returner will not be able to run far with the ball after catching it, leaving his team in bad field position far from the goal line.
Goal No. 10 is to make big plays on special teams. Offensive special teams want to return punts or kickoffs after touchdowns for a touchdown or far enough that their team's offense is in good position to score. Defensive special teams want to force punt and kickoff returners to fumble.
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