Each attempt by the offense. You get four to gain ten yards.

Gaining the ten yards: the offense earns a fresh set of four attempts. It is what the crowd cheers.

The pass between the center's legs to the quarterback that starts every play.

The imaginary line where the ball sits before the snap. No player may cross it early.

Six points for carrying or catching the ball in the end zone.

Three points for kicking the ball through the uprights.

A fourth-down kick to leave the opponent as far as possible from your end zone.

Losing the ball in play. Whoever recovers it takes possession.

A defender catches a pass. Possession changes immediately.

Tackling the quarterback behind the line before he throws.

Sending more defenders than usual after the quarterback.

The circle where the offense hears the play before lining up.

Faking a run in order to throw a pass.

The last twenty yards before the end zone.

Hurry-up offense, no huddle, in the last minutes of each half.

Non-contact format: a flag is pulled instead of tackling.

The final of the LNFA, Spain's national league.

In American college football, the home game former students return to, with its own ceremonies and traditions.

Guide

A guide to following football from Spain

Just enough to understand a game, know which leagues exist and where to watch football without leaving Spain. No unnecessary jargon.

How a game works

Two teams of eleven players. The one with the ball (the offense) tries to advance towards the opponent's end zone; the other (the defense) tries to stop it. Every play starts with the ball on the ground and ends when the carrier is tackled, steps out of bounds, scores, or a pass falls incomplete.

The rule that explains everything: the offense has four attempts, called downs, to advance ten yards. If it succeeds, it gets four more. If not, the ball goes to the opponent. That is why the fourth attempt is almost always used to kick the ball away (a punt) or to try a kick at goal, not to keep attacking.

The game is split into four quarters. The clock stops in many situations (incomplete passes, steps out of bounds, timeouts), so a twelve- or fifteen-minute quarter of play can take considerably longer in real time.

How you score

Touchdown, six points: carry the ball into the end zone or catch it there. After a touchdown the team chooses between kicking an extra point (one point) or running a play from near the goal line for two. Field goal, three points: kick the ball between the uprights at any time, usually on fourth down. Safety, two points for the defense: tackling the ball carrier inside his own end zone.

Who is who on the field

On offense, the quarterback receives the ball on every play and decides: hand it to a runner (running back), throw it to a receiver (wide receiver or tight end) or run himself. In front of him, five offensive linemen block. On defense, the linemen and linebackers stop the run and pressure the quarterback, while the defensive backs (cornerbacks and safeties) cover the receivers.

Special teams take the field for kicks: kickoffs, punts, field goals and their returns. In a Spanish amateur club many players play in two of the three units.

Tackle and flag: two ways to play

Tackle football is what you see in the NFL: helmet, shoulder pads and tackling. Flag football is played without contact: each player wears two flags at the waist and the play ends when a defender pulls one off. Smaller teams (usually five a side), a shorter field and no expensive gear. It is the fastest-growing format in Spain and the easiest way in for adults, women and kids. Most clubs in the directory offer both.

Which leagues exist and how they fit together

In Spain the federation (FEFA) runs the LNFA, the national tackle league with a ten-team top tier and a second tier in territorial groups, plus the women's league, the Copa de España, junior and cadet categories and the flag championships. Each competition page explains the format with sources.

In Europe there have been professional leagues with Spanish franchises (Barcelona Dragons, Madrid Bravos); none is active in 2026. In the United States college football (NCAA), played by students and the source of the sport's traditions, coexists with the NFL, the professional league, which since 2025 plays one game a year in Madrid.

How to watch a game in Spain

LNFA games are played on municipal football or rugby pitches, almost always with free admission, between January and May; the Copa de España in the autumn. Find your nearest club on the map or with the city search, check its schedule on the FEFA website and turn up: the stands are full of family, former players and people who will explain whatever you do not understand.

Glossary

The terms you will hear at any game, in the order you will need them.

Down: Each attempt by the offense. You get four to gain ten yards.
First down: Gaining the ten yards: the offense earns a fresh set of four attempts. It is what the crowd cheers.
Snap: The pass between the center's legs to the quarterback that starts every play.
Line of scrimmage: The imaginary line where the ball sits before the snap. No player may cross it early.
Touchdown: Six points for carrying or catching the ball in the end zone.
Field goal: Three points for kicking the ball through the uprights.
Punt: A fourth-down kick to leave the opponent as far as possible from your end zone.
Fumble: Losing the ball in play. Whoever recovers it takes possession.
Interception: A defender catches a pass. Possession changes immediately.
Sack: Tackling the quarterback behind the line before he throws.
Blitz: Sending more defenders than usual after the quarterback.
Huddle: The circle where the offense hears the play before lining up.
Play action: Faking a run in order to throw a pass.
Red zone: The last twenty yards before the end zone.
Two-minute drill: Hurry-up offense, no huddle, in the last minutes of each half.
Flag football: Non-contact format: a flag is pulled instead of tackling.
Spanish Bowl: The final of the LNFA, Spain's national league.
Homecoming: In American college football, the home game former students return to, with its own ceremonies and traditions.