American football in the United States
American football is the country's most popular spectator sport in the United States , with some of the world's most passionate fans. In the United States, the game is usually referred to simply as "football".
organization
American football in the United States does not have a larger national or continental umbrella organization, but rather many smaller ones, which are directly subordinate to the international umbrella organization International Federation of American Football (IFAF). American football is played in the United States in different leagues of different sizes, ages and qualities. Although there are also a few girls' and women’s leagues, American football is mostly played by boys and men.
Professional American Football
The only major professional league at the moment is the National Football League (NFL). There have been numerous attempts in the past few decades to create a second major professional league, most of which failed within a few years or, as in the case of the American Football League, merged with the NFL. Since the setting of the NFL Europe in 2007 until the establishment of the Experimental Football League case , the NFL had no youth league of its own. With the end of the Stars Football League in 2013, there is no smaller league nationwide that could serve as a youth league. There are still several indoor football leagues, including the Arena Football League , but these are only used to a limited extent to promote talent, as indoor football differs significantly from the rules. Many players who do not make it into the NFL end up playing in indoor leagues or the Canadian Football League .
American football in college sports
American football is also very popular in college sports. Almost every college or university in the USA has its own football team, which almost exclusively plays in the leagues of the National Collegiate Athletic Association , and less often in the leagues of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics or National Junior College Athletic Association . Many universities also have their own football stadiums. The best college players try to get into the NFL after graduation through the NFL Draft and start a professional career there.
American football in high school sports
Many high schools have their own football teams, which regularly attract over 10,000 visitors. High school teams usually play against schools within their own state , schools close to the border sometimes also against schools in the neighboring state. The National Federation of State High School Associations is the governing body for most schools.
Amateur and semi-professional American football
Amateur American football is the part of the sport whose players are not paid to play. Paying players in amateur leagues is mostly prohibited.
The main leagues are:
- North American Football League
- New England Football League
- The Eastern Football League
- Mid Continental Football League
- National Public Safety Football League (League of Fire and Police)
- National Women's Football Association
- Women's Football Alliance
- Independent Women's Football League
Semi-professional is someone who is paid to play but cannot pay for a living from it. Most of these are participants in women's leagues. Participants in the Legends Football League or Women's Professional Football League are considered semi- professional .
United States national team
USA Football sets up a national team for the IFAF American Football World Cup, which takes place every four years . Due to concerns about a balanced competition, the first two world championships were not taken part, for the third only amateur players were nominated. Professional players were nominated for the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, but no NFL players with a contract. All three world championships in which they participated were won.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ AMERICAN FOOTBALL The opponent is an enemy retrieved on August 5th