Written by Katie Hinderer, Web Editor

It’s time for homecoming. You’re geared up with the parties, the semi-formal dance, cheering on the sidelines at the football game, loud music, an extended curfew, and all the other things that go along with homecoming weekend. But while your guys friends are probably looking forward to the school’s football team crushing the opponents, you might have no clue what’s happening on that lined field below. Don’t worry. Here are the football basics so you’re not totally lost when watching the game.

What you need to know:

1. There are two teams, usually the one in the lighter color jersey is the home team. The one in darker colors is the visiting team.
2. The goal of the game is to score more points than the opponent – duh.
3. Points are usually scored in one of two ways. First – a team runs and passes the football down to their goal line and crosses into the endzone. This is called a touchdown and 6 points are awarded. Second – a team can kick the ball through the U-shaped structure at the end of the field for a field goal. A ball kicked through after a touchdown gives the team one more point. A ball kicked in when a touchdown has not been scored will give the team 3 points.
4. Each team has 4 tries (these are called downs) to move the ball 10 yards. Every time the team successfully moves the ball at least 10 yards forward it is give another 4 tries to advance another 10 yards.
5. If a team does not advance 10 yards in the 4 tries the ball is given to the other team.
6. The quarterback – arguably the most important position on the field – is the guy who gets the ball at the start of each play and passes it to a player on his team.
7. Yes – the guys are supposed to tackle the other players.
8. The lines on the field mark the number of yards, so that it is easier to tell how far the team needs to advance.
9. Each team has both a defensive team (which takes the field when the other team has the ball) and an offensive team (which takes the field when they have the ball.)
10. The clock keeps running if a play finishes while on the field. If the players run off the field, call for a time-out or some one is injured then the clock stops.
11. An interception occurs when the ball is taken by the defensive team. This tends to happen when a quarterback throws the ball to one of his players and an opponent catches it instead.
12. An incomplete is when the quarterback throws the ball but it doesn’t connect and stick in anyone’s hands.

Of course there is a lot more to understanding the game. But at least if you have the basics you’ll know when to cheer and when to boo. For more details on football, try asking your dad, brother, boy next door, or your mega-crush. Boys love explaining these things.