Football teams have an 11-player offense that tries to score points, an 11-player defense that tries to prevent the offense from scoring and 11-player special teams. Special teams play after a touchdown, when a field goal is attempted, and when the team that had the ball is about to kick the ball to the other team. There are offensive and defensive special teams.
Extra Points
Teams earn six points for touchdowns, three points for field goals, two points for safeties and one "extra" point for kicking the football through the goal posts after a touchdown. The extra-point play begins when the center snaps the ball from the 3-yard line to a teammate who is 7 yards behind him. The teammate, the holder, puts the ball on the ground vertically so it's easier to kick. The kicker needs to kick the ball 20 yards to reach the goal posts. The defensive special team tries to block the kick. The offensive special team scores most of the time.
Field Goals
Offensive teams that didn't score a touchdown, but are close enough to kick the ball between the goal posts can try to kick a field goal. Field-goal plays are like extra-point plays, but many field goals are more difficult because they require more distance. An offensive team that advanced to the defensive team's 30-yard line has to kick a 47-yard field goal because there are 7 yards between the center and the kicker and 10 yards between the goal line, which is essentially the 0-yard line, and the goal posts. Kickers have become more proficient at 40- to 50-yard field goals in recent decades. The record is 63.
Kickoffs
Teams that have just scored kick the ball from their 35-yard line on a 100-yard field. The defensive special team, or kickoff team, wants to kick the ball at least 65 yards so the offensive special team, or kick return team, doesn't run with the ball on the field. When this occurs, the kick return team gets the ball at the 20-yard line and needs to gain 80 yards for a touchdown. However, the kick return team wants the ball in better position so it includes at least one fast player who will catch the ball and run with it and blockers who will try to help him avoid the kickoff team's 11 tacklers.
Punts
Teams that aren't close to scoring will punt the football. The objective of a punt is to kick the ball far so the opponent's offense will be as far away from scoring as possible. The punting team's center snaps the ball about 15 yards to the punter. The average punt travels roughly 55 yards, but it's considered a 40-yard punt because it's measured from where the play starts. The punting team's opponent can try to block the punt or catch the punt and run with the ball. After the kick, the punting team's players become tacklers and the punt return team consists of one punt returner and blockers who are trying to help him score.
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