NFL rules explained: Overtime, pitch size, how to score points, game length, positions and more ahead of Super Bowl LIX
The 2025 Super Bowl is fast-approaching and with the sport continuing to attract new fans around the world, here’s a breakdown of the rules… The Kansas City Chiefs won the NFL showpiece last season in one of the biggest events in American Football history and now it’s time to do it all over again. The NFL’s popularity outside of the US is growingGETTY There will be plenty of fans tuning in for the first time and with that in mind, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the basics of NFL… How long is each game? An NFL game lasts for 60 minutes and is split into four 15-minute quarters. However, due to an extended half-time break, injuries, replay reviews, penalties and media timeouts, the whole thing usually takes around four hours. And if the scores are level at the end of normal time, there is a ten-minute overtime period. What is overtime and how does it work? In overtime, both teams get the chance to have possession of the ball and create a point-scoring chance. However, should the first team score a touchdown with their first attack, the game ends and they win. But if not, the winners are whoever scores first. If the teams are still level after overtime ends, the match is called a draw unless it’s a playoff match or, of course, the Super Bowl itself. In that scenario, there will be infinite amounts of overtime until there is a winner. The Chiefs won the last Super Bowl in overtimeGetty What does the pitch look like? The pitch for all American Football matches is 100 yards in length with 10 yards on either side behind the goal line, which is known as the endzone, where touchdowns are scored. The field is cut up into ten yard sections. There are also a set of posts at either end, which are similar to those you would see on a rugby field. How do you score points? As in rugby, there are several ways to score points with each worth a differing amount. A touchdown is the most valuable as it carries six points. To score a touchdown, the ball simply has to go over the opposing goal line. Unlike in rugby, it doesn’t have to be grounded, meaning that a receiver can simply catch a long pass in the endzone to score a touchdown. After a touchdown, the scoring team can elect to kick a conversion through the post for another point or try to score a two-point conversion touchdown from the two-yard line. In addition, teams can score a field goal, which is worth three points and comes when the ball is kicked through the posts from a distance. Finally, teams can also earn extra points through a safety. This happens when a ball carrier is tackled in their own endzone or when the attacking side commits a foul behind their goal line. A touchdown is what all teams are aiming for on each playGetty What’s the objective of the game? As in most team sports, the aim is to outscore the opposition. However, you have to be quick in NFL or the ball is overturned. Each team gets four phases of play known as ‘downs’ to progress up the field by ten yards. If they manage to do this, the play resets until they score or fail to make ten yards. If after the four ‘downs’ the ball hasn’t progressed, the attacking team are forced to turnover possession and the other side starts their phase of play. If a team fails to make much progress after three ‘downs’, on the fourth, they will usually elect to try and score a field goal or punt the ball down the pitch to keep the other team further away from their goal line. Tom Brady has won more Super Bowls than any other player, with sevenGetty What are the player positions? Unlike in football or rugby, players in the NFL are usually there to either attack or defend rather than both at the same time. Teams are allowed 11 players on the field at one time but can make as many changes to that side as they like, meaning that a team with the ball will likely have an entirely different XI to one when they don’t. This is because the game is very clearly defined in two phases, defence and offence and most players in the NFL are either good at one or the other. Positions on offense include Center, Offensive guard, Offensive tackle, Running back, Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Tight end. On defense, the positions are Defensive tackle, Nose tackle, Defensive end, Middle linebacker, Outside linebacker, Cornerback and Safety. There are also ‘Special teams’ positions that include the Kicker, Punter, Long snapper, Kick returner, Holder and more. talkSPORT will live commentary of Super Bowl LIX from the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, February 9
The 2025 Super Bowl is fast-approaching and with the sport continuing to attract new fans around the world, here’s a breakdown of the rules…
The Kansas City Chiefs won the NFL showpiece last season in one of the biggest events in American Football history and now it’s time to do it all over again.
There will be plenty of fans tuning in for the first time and with that in mind, talkSPORT.com takes a look at the basics of NFL…
How long is each game?
An NFL game lasts for 60 minutes and is split into four 15-minute quarters.
However, due to an extended half-time break, injuries, replay reviews, penalties and media timeouts, the whole thing usually takes around four hours.
And if the scores are level at the end of normal time, there is a ten-minute overtime period.
What is overtime and how does it work?
In overtime, both teams get the chance to have possession of the ball and create a point-scoring chance.
However, should the first team score a touchdown with their first attack, the game ends and they win.
But if not, the winners are whoever scores first.
If the teams are still level after overtime ends, the match is called a draw unless it’s a playoff match or, of course, the Super Bowl itself.
In that scenario, there will be infinite amounts of overtime until there is a winner.
What does the pitch look like?
The pitch for all American Football matches is 100 yards in length with 10 yards on either side behind the goal line, which is known as the endzone, where touchdowns are scored.
The field is cut up into ten yard sections.
There are also a set of posts at either end, which are similar to those you would see on a rugby field.
How do you score points?
As in rugby, there are several ways to score points with each worth a differing amount.
A touchdown is the most valuable as it carries six points.
To score a touchdown, the ball simply has to go over the opposing goal line.
Unlike in rugby, it doesn’t have to be grounded, meaning that a receiver can simply catch a long pass in the endzone to score a touchdown.
After a touchdown, the scoring team can elect to kick a conversion through the post for another point or try to score a two-point conversion touchdown from the two-yard line.
In addition, teams can score a field goal, which is worth three points and comes when the ball is kicked through the posts from a distance.
Finally, teams can also earn extra points through a safety.
This happens when a ball carrier is tackled in their own endzone or when the attacking side commits a foul behind their goal line.
What’s the objective of the game?
As in most team sports, the aim is to outscore the opposition.
However, you have to be quick in NFL or the ball is overturned.
Each team gets four phases of play known as ‘downs’ to progress up the field by ten yards.
If they manage to do this, the play resets until they score or fail to make ten yards.
If after the four ‘downs’ the ball hasn’t progressed, the attacking team are forced to turnover possession and the other side starts their phase of play.
If a team fails to make much progress after three ‘downs’, on the fourth, they will usually elect to try and score a field goal or punt the ball down the pitch to keep the other team further away from their goal line.
What are the player positions?
Unlike in football or rugby, players in the NFL are usually there to either attack or defend rather than both at the same time.
Teams are allowed 11 players on the field at one time but can make as many changes to that side as they like, meaning that a team with the ball will likely have an entirely different XI to one when they don’t.
This is because the game is very clearly defined in two phases, defence and offence and most players in the NFL are either good at one or the other.
Positions on offense include Center, Offensive guard, Offensive tackle, Running back, Quarterback, Wide Receiver and Tight end.
On defense, the positions are Defensive tackle, Nose tackle, Defensive end, Middle linebacker, Outside linebacker, Cornerback and Safety.
There are also ‘Special teams’ positions that include the Kicker, Punter, Long snapper, Kick returner, Holder and more.
talkSPORT will live commentary of Super Bowl LIX from the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, February 9
