American football is a team sport played on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The game involves two teams, each consisting of eleven players, who aim to advance an oval-shaped ball into the opposing team’s end zone to score points. The objective is to score touchdowns, which are worth six points, and to convert additional points through extra attempts or field goals. The game is divided into four quarters, and the team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

The sport is characterized by a combination of strategic plays, physical contact, and specialized roles among players, including positions such as quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. American football also features a series of downs, where the offensive team has four attempts to gain ten yards. The game has a rich history and cultural significance in the United States, with the National Football League (NFL) being the premier professional league.