Confuzed, have a great time at your friend's party!  Just don't call the game a 'match' and you'll be fine.



I've been saved from this year's hoopla by an invitation to dinner.  I can't really support pro-football anyway, though I don't mind college ball.

You have to go! You never know, you might have some fun! Have one or two for me while you are there

BigstU - OMG - dominos, and the cowboys!  LOL

confuzed - you'll enjoy it. 

Cheer each time the Bears make a touch down - and you'll be fine!  

4 quarters to the game and half-time is a big party - did I hear that Prince was going to be there (or is he singing the national anthem???). 

Stu - explain the rules quickly so confuzed can understand (not that complicated).

Kick off starts the game in the middle of the field, the team on offensive side has 4 attempts (called downs) to make a touch down, if they don't, the ball goes to the other team and then they have 4 downs to make a touch down.

Touch downs are worth 6 points.

You'll often hear 1st (down) and a number which is the number of yards to go to make a touch down, then 2nd and something, then 3rd and something on 4th and whatever if they are too far to score, they'll usually try a field goal (kicking the ball through the goal posts to score).

The quarterback is generally the best looking man on the field      and is the one to "pass" the ball (throws it). 

OK, Stu - you explain now!    

You want me to explain the rules   'goes away muttering under breath for a while about you being American and me being British!'

Ok then I'll try an take over

The scoring

Touchdown 6 points
Field Goal   3 points
Then you have the conversions after you score a touchdown, you can go for 1 point which is pretty much the same as a field goal, or you can go for 2 points which is basically another touchdown except you only score 2 points

On the field from 1 team you will have the defense, there job is to stop the other team from scoring. From the other team will be the offense, there job is to score.
The QB on the offense calls the shots, he will either throw the ball forwards, pass it back to a running back, or run it himself(not wise) or get sacked!! which is when the defense bring him down when he has the ball.

Each team per Quarter has 3 timeouts, this means they have 3 chances to stop the clock, very useful when close to scoring, but you have little time left to get your players on the pitch so you use a timeout and stop the clock.

The simplest thing to understand is that when time runs out, the team with the most points wins
I'm sure they will show a quick run down to how the game is played on telly tonight, so watch carefully as there is far too much to explain here.

If you think they are wimps with all the padding on, think again Its a very tough sport, I played for 2 years and its very hard hitting!

I'm sure after reading this that everything will still be as clear as mud, to which I'm sorry for as its a bit too early on a sunday am to describe the rules to this

One last thing as Montana said " cheer when the bears score, not the colts"