Backyard football has been a favorite pastime in America for many a year. For countless people, a Thanksgiving Day game is an annual tradition. And while everybody's rules are different, there are some basics that never change. And one of those is that backyard football is fun for all, no matter what rules you use.
Field
A regulation football field in the United States is 120 yards long--including the end zones--and 53 1/3 yards across. Fields are a little larger in Canada--150 yards by 65 yards. There aren't too many backyards that are this large, but luckily you don't need a field that big to play a little pick-up game of football. Any size field will do, as long as you have two end zones. Just be sure to mark each end zone so players know where the goal line is. You can use anything from a cone to a t-shirt.
Teams
Just like in gym class, you have to choose teams. Figure out how many players will be participating, and divide that number by two. Pick two captains, and then have each captain choose from the pool of players in alternating fashion. If you have an odd number of players, the standard in backyard football is to either use one person as a substitute for both teams or to have an all-time quarterback--meaning that person would play quarterback for both teams.
Offense
Depending on how many players you have, everyone on offense will usually run a pass pattern. If you have a lot of players--around six or more--have a few players stay in to block for the quarterback.
To start a play, someone will have to hike the ball to the quarterback. That person can either go out for a pass or stay in to block. By most backyard football standards, the quarterback can run the ball immediately, but only once per every four downs. On the other plays, the quarterback has to look for an open receiver for five to 10 seconds--usually counted as "one Mississippi, two Mississippi" and so on--before he can run with the ball
First Downs
There are several ways to gain a first down, and it usually depends on the length of the field you're playing on. If you are playing on a short field, usually the offense will get a set number of plays--four or five--to score a touchdown. If they can't score in the given number of plays, the ball is turned over to the other team. Another option is using a set number of completions to gain a first down--usually three or four completions. Yet another method is to divide the field in half. Mark the halfway point on the field with a cone or some other object. The offense will get four plays to pass the center of the field, at which point they get a first down.
Punting is always an option too, if you're playing on a longer field. Instead of running a play on fourth down, the offense can punt the ball away to the other team.
Defense
Typically, defensive players will play "man-up" on the offense--meaning each defensive player is responsible for covering one offensive player for each play. The defense also should get one play per four downs when they are able to "blitz" the quarterback as soon as the play starts. On all other plays, the defense should count to either five or 10 "Mississippi" before rushing the passer. If the defense get an interception, fumble recovery, or receive the ball on a punt, they would get the ball at that spot on the field and then go on offense.
Kickoffs
Depending on the length of the field you're playing on, you can either kick the ball off or throw it to the other team. Find the player on your team with the best leg--or arm--and let the ball fly. The further back you can force the other team to start, the better.
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