《闲话美国》－橄榄球在美国有多火？

American football:

One of the most popular sports in the United States

In American English:

Football  美式橄榄球 ("Gridiron")

Soccer   足球

Rugby    英式橄榄球

American football is based partially on rugby.

What is the aim of American Football 

- Get the ball to the opponent's side of the field 

- you can carry the ball or throw the ball 

- you can use your feet to kick the ball, but only in specific situations

  (to get points / to kick between the poles/ to kick it far to get the opponents to go far) 

How big is the football field? 

- 110 m by 48 m 

- Americans use it as a measuring unit 

The quarterback is someone who can throw the ball and has the leadership roles. 

American football is mostly a spectator sport, because it is impractical for average Americans to play football. 

Professional league: NFL (National Football League) 

- Play in autumn and winter season 

- 32 teams 

- each plays 16 games over 17 weeks 

- Afterwards, there will be the championship tournament, ending in the Super Bowl 

It is also very popular in universities and high schools. 

It is still a mostly male-dominated sport. 

Kids can start playing football in middle school. 

Idioms in American English relating to American football: 

- To run interference 

- A game plan 

- Hail Mary pass