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This guide follows the official 2026 NFL rules. Other competitions need their own rules; do not transfer these details to a child’s game.
Before each play, ask: who has possession, how far must they advance, and how much time remains?
| Score | Points | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown | 6 | The ball legally reached the opponent’s end zone in a player’s possession. |
| Field goal | 3 | A successful kick through the goal. |
| Extra-point kick | 1 | A successful kick on the try after a touchdown. |
| Two-point conversion | 2 | A touchdown on the try. |
| Safety | 2 | For example, a ball carrier tackled in their own end zone. |
Follow the possession
The offense tries to score; the defense tries to stop it. Four downs normally allow ten yards for a new first down. Hypothetically, gaining four yards on first-and-ten leaves second-and-six. Failure on fourth down gives the opponent possession; teams often punt instead.
An interception or opponent’s fumble recovery can switch possession earlier. Follow the ball after the change.
Read downs and distance for detail.
Recognize the rhythm
Four 15-minute quarters include halftime after the second. Kickoffs start each half and follow tries and field goals; ordinary scrimmage plays start with snaps.
The game clock measures remaining playing time; the play clock limits the wait before the next play. Incompletions, timeouts, injuries and two-minute warnings interrupt play.
Check the quarter alongside the clock. For restart details, see kickoffs and clock stoppages.
Watch the officials
Raised arms indicate a touchdown or successful scoring kick; arms swept sideways indicate an incomplete pass or unsuccessful kick. Yellow flags indicate fouls. Penalties can change yardage or downs; disqualification replaces any soccer-style card system.
Wait for the announcement before interpreting the new situation. Explore officials’ signals, false starts and pass interference.
Why a decision takes time
Replay can change eligible rulings; not every decision is reviewable. Coaches’ challenges and official reviews follow different restrictions.
During a review, listen for what is being checked. See replay and challenges.
How it ends
More points wins. Tied regular-season games get at most ten overtime minutes and can remain tied. Both teams normally receive a possession opportunity, subject to that limit and the opening-possession safety exception. Postseason overtime uses 15-minute periods until a winner; there is no shoot-out.
See NFL overtime before assuming the first score ends the game.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Snap | The action beginning a scrimmage play. |
| Down | One period of play. |
| Dead ball | The ball is no longer in play. |
| Interception | A defender catches the opponent’s pass. |
| Fair catch | A signaled protected kick catch, with no advance. |
Sources
- NFL — 2026 Official Playing Rules; controlling edition for this guide.
- NFL Football Operations — official 2026 rulebook landing page.
- NFL Football Operations — Football Terms; selected basic definitions only, not an edition authority.
Rule editions and sources
- National Football League (NFL) · 2026 Official Playing Rules of the National Football League · NFL regular season, with postseason overtime distinguished. Not a guide to NCAA, high-school, youth, Canadian or flag competitions. — National Football League — 2026 Official Playing Rules PDF: Rule 3-2-7; Rule 8-1-3, 8-1-4, 8-1-5 and 8-1-8; Rule 11-2; Rule 15-1 to 15-3