The rules of the game
Downs, scoring, the clock and penalties, minus the jargon.
Read the guideIndependent guide
American Football in the UK: An Independent Guide
Want dependable information on how American football works in the UK? This independent guide collects it in one spot. We are not a team, a league or the official site of any organization, so we give an outside view of the sport without promoting anyone. We do not post depth charts, scores or schedules. Our aim is to help newcomers understand the game and find out where to follow it.
Five guides to the sport
The site is made up of five guides. The first explains the rules, the second covers positions and gear, and the third shows how competition is organized across the UK. The fourth follows the sport's history in Britain, and the fifth explains how to get started. Each guide works on its own, but together they give a full picture of the game, from watching your first match on a screen to deciding whether to play.
Positions and gear
Who plays where, and the equipment you need before you begin.
Read the guideHow competition works in the UK
The BAFA National Leagues, college football and the GB Lions.
Read the guideA short history of the sport in Britain
From a 1910 exhibition game to NFL games in London.
Read the guideHow to start playing
Flag football, open practices, college teams and staying safe.
Read the guideThe rules of American football for new viewers
The rules can bewilder beginners, which is why our rules guide is the best place to begin. Under NFL and college rules, a game runs four quarters of 15 minutes each. The team with the ball has four tries to gain 10 yards. A touchdown counts for 6 points and a field goal for 3. Those few numbers are enough to help you follow a game and see what is happening on the field.
The history of American football in the UK
British interest in the game has a clear starting point. Beginning in 1982, Channel 4 aired highlights of NFL games in Britain, which helped create the first generation of fans. The NFL has staged its International Series games in London since 2007, and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has hosted games as well since 2019. Our guide to the sport's history in Britain has more.
The sport is growing beyond television, too. In the UK, BAFA runs adult competition, while the college league, the BUAFL, operates under BUCS. Flag football, the non-contact version of the game, joins the Los Angeles Olympic Games program in 2028. Its inclusion shows that interest in this version reaches well past the NFL itself.
How do you start playing American football?
If you are wondering how to get started, flag football deserves a look. It involves no contact, so for many people it is an easy introduction to the sport. Our beginner's guide explains the difference: instead of tackling an opponent, a player pulls a flag from the opponent's belt.
The next step is to look into the competitions. BAFA runs the adult game, while students play in the BUAFL under BUCS, so check which route fits you best. Our guides follow a clear order, from the rules through positions and gear to how competition is structured, so everyone can find a place in the sport. We do not promise an answer to every question, but we do offer reliable information to help you find your way.
Read on, starting with the rules guide, and then pick whichever American football topic interests you most.
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