playing field![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Rectangular surface (53.3 x 120 yards) covered with natural or synthetic grass on which a football game is played; a game consists of four 15-minute quarters.
yard line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The solid lines at five-yard intervals that mark the distance from the goal line; at the start of a game, the ball is kicked off from the thirty-yard line.
inbounds line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The broken lines marking off yards; the lines and inbounds lines mark the line of scrimmage when play resumes.
end line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line marking the far extremity of the end zone; the white area behind the goal is not part of the playing field.
end zone ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Zone in which a touchdown (six points) is scored when a player crosses it in possession of the ball.
goal line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line marking the start of the end zone.
fifty-yard line ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line dividing the field into two zones, one for each team; it is 50 yards from the goal lines.
sideline ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Line demarcating the sides of the playing field; the play is whistled dead when the ball or a player in possession of the ball crosses it.
referee ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official responsible for applying the rules; this individual ensures that the game is properly played and supervises the work of the other officials.
side judge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official whose main role is to signal when a player crosses the sideline in possession of the ball.
umpire ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official in charge of checking player equipment and signaling infractions near the line of scrimmage.
head linesman ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who signals stoppages in play and indicates exactly where to position the ball after it leaves the field of play.
back judge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official who tracks the number of players on defense, follows the receivers and monitors the time elapsed between plays.
line judge ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Official whose role includes timekeeping, signaling stoppages in play and officiating during kickoffs and punts.
players’ bench ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area for substitute players and coaches; a team’s players are divided into three units: offense, defense and special teams.