American football, unlike the world sport of football -- also referred to as soccer -- reverses the use of the hands and feet to play the game. In American football, players throw, catch and hand the ball to each other to move it forward. Players kick the ball infrequently, only after scores, to change field position and possession, to attempt a field goal and to start a new series of plays.
Step 1
Kick the ball to start the game. A kickoff begins the game, the second half and a new series of plays after a score. Place the ball on the ground at the prescribed place on the field, based on your game's rules. Place the ball on a tee to keep it upright or have a teammate hold it. Kick it to the other team, trying to pin them as far back on their end of the field as possible.
Step 2
Pass the ball to the quarterback to start a play. Pass the ball between your legs, behind you, if you are the center, facing away from the quarterback to whom you are "snapping" the ball. Block the opponent in front of you after you have snapped the ball. Block opponents if you are on offense to keep them away from your quarterback or other ball carriers.
Step 3
Throw the ball forward to advance the ball toward your goal and/or get it into your end zone. Stay behind the original line of scrimmage that began the play before you throw. Throw the ball overhand for long-distance passes, keeping it away from opposing player, who may intercept the ball by catching it out of the air. Run forward to get clear to receive a thrown ball. Run toward your end zone if you catch it.
Step 4
Run with the ball to advance the ball toward your goal. Take the ball from the quarterback after the start of the play, or run with it if you are the quarterback, and attempt to avoid opponents. Follow your blockers.
Step 5
Run toward the quarterback or running backs if they have the ball, attempting to stop them by stopping their forward progress, throwing them to the ground, touching them with two hands or pulling a flag from their belt, depending on what type of football you are playing. Follow the rules for legal tackling to prevent injuries and penalties. Stay near receivers to try to stop them from catching the ball. Wait until they touch the ball before you tackle them to avoid a penalty. Try to intercept or bat down the ball before your opponent can catch it.
Step 6
Kick the ball as punt if you have not made the necessary yardage in three plays to make a first down. Take the snap from the center, drop the ball out of your hand, and kick it out of the air before it hits the ground. Try to pin your opponents as far back on their end of the field as possible. Run one more play if you have not made the necessary yardage in three plays to make a first down, but feel you are close enough to make a first down on your fourth play. If you do not make a first down, the ball reverts to your opponent where you ended the last play.
Step 7
Kick the ball toward the goal to try and score a field goal if you have played three downs or fewer and feel you can make the ball go through the upright goal posts. Kick a field goal similar to kick off, but with a teammate holding the ball after the center snaps the ball.
Step 8
Kick an extra point or run a two-point play if you score a touchdown. Kick an extra point similar to kick off, but with a teammate holding the ball after the center snaps the ball.
Step 9
Kick the ball to start the next series of plays. Use a kickoff to send the ball to your opponents.
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