ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

American football strategy

American football is a game where two teams try to move a ball from one end of a field to the other to score points. These points can be scored by either carrying the ball into the end zone for a touchdown or kicking it through uprights for a field goal.

To win the game, a team has to score more points than the other team. But to score points, a team needs to have the ball, which means they need to get it from the other team. This is where strategy comes in.

The most basic strategy is to run or pass the ball down the field and score points. But there are many different tactics and plays that can be used to make this happen. For example, a team might try to deceive the other team by making it look like they're going to pass the ball when really they're going to run it. This is called a "play-action" play.

Another strategy is to use the "run game." This is where the team repeatedly hands the ball off to one of their players, who tries to run through the other team's defense and gain yards. This can wear down the other team's defense and open up opportunities for passes later on.

On defense, the strategy is reversed. The goal is to stop the other team from scoring points. To do this, the defense will try to tackle the player with the ball or intercept it if it's thrown. They may also try to trick the other team by disguising their coverage or "blitzing," which means sending extra players to rush the quarterback.

Overall, American football strategy involves using different tactics and plays to outsmart the other team and score more points. It's like a giant chess game played on a field, where each team is constantly trying to outthink and outmaneuver the other.