Turnovers: While trying to advance the football play to the end zone, the football team's offense may accidentally turn the ball over to the defense in one of two ways:
- The Fumble: When the ball carrier or passer drops the ball, that's a fumble. Any football player on the field can recover the ball by diving on it or he can run with it. The football team that recovers a fumble either gets-or retains-possession of the ball.
- The Interception: An aggressive defense can regain possession of the ball by catching (intercepting) passes meant for football players on the other team. Both fumble recoveries and interceptions can be run back into the end zone for touchdowns.
The Two Sides of the Ball
The Offense: Whichever football team has possession of the ball is the offense. While only the quarterback, the wide receivers and tight ends, and the running backs can legally handle the ball, it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker. In fact, he's a man of many talents. He not only throws the ball, he outlines each fooball play to his team.
The Offensive Players
- The quarterback ("QB") passes or hands off the ball.
- The center snaps the ball to the QB and blocks the defense.
- 2 guards and 2 tackles keep the defense at bay.
- 2/4 wide receivers catch the ball thrown by the QB.
- 1 or 2 running backs take the ball and run with it.
- 1 or 2 tight ends block the defense and can also catches passes.
The Defense: The job of the defense is to stop the offense. The 11 men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense's end zone.
The Defensive Players
- Linebackers defend against the pass, and push forward to stop the run or tackle the QB.
- The defensive line (ends and tackles) battles head-to-head against the offensive line.
- Cornerbacks and safeties defend against the pass from the QB to the wide receiver and help to stop the run.
