No matter what level of competition of football you're playing, the games will all have a beginning an end. The beginning starts with a kickoff that is determined by the flip of a coin, and the end usually comes at the completion of the fourth quarter of play. However, this isn't always the case, and often times many other events transpire at or around the end of a football game.
Significance
The end of a game typically signifies that one team has won and one team has lost. Football seasons typically consist of anywhere from 10 to 16 games, depending on the level of play. This is often followed by a post-season that teams qualify for based on their performance during the season. The end of each game has significance to both teams involved as it determines how much closer they are to qualifying for post-season competition.
Types
The end of a football game typically comes when the clock winds down to zero. The amount of time that each quarter of play contains varies by competition level. In high school football, each quarter usually lasts 12 minutes whereas in the college and professional ranks, every quarter lasts for 15 minutes.
Ties
If the score is tied at the end of the game, the next step is overtime. The rules of overtime vary considerably by competition level, however every overtime session ends in either a team winning or the game ending in a tie. The only caveat to this rule is during the post-season. Post-season games require one team to advance, thus ties aren't an option. During these circumstances, the teams will continue to play indefinitely through multiple overtime sessions, if necessary.
Traditions
Several traditions take place at the end of a football game that are not specific to the score. Immediately after the game, whether you're a player, coach or trainer, it's common to walk out onto the field congratulate the opposition. Often times, a prayer circle is formed and some players and coaches will join hands in a collective religious moment. Fans occasionally get in on the action too, especially after big games in college. If a home team wins a big game, it's not uncommon for fans to charge the field, and sometimes even bring the goal posts down.
Misconceptions
If you are a football spectator, the end of a game often signifies a sense of completion, or closure on the game. Win or lose, the game is over and it's time to move forward. For players and coaches however, the end of the game is often followed by several days of injury rehabilitation and film study. It's standard for players and coaches alike to watch several hours of film from multiple angles in the 24 to 48 hours after a game before moving on to preparation for their next opponent.
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