The whole gridiron in one grid
American football is all drama and strategy, and this word search captures both. You'll track down the big moments — the TOUCHDOWN, the FIELDGOAL, the game-winning SACK — the positions from QUARTERBACK to LINEBACKER, and storied teams like the PACKERS, COWBOYS and PATRIOTS.
Each puzzle pulls a fresh selection from the list, so a different play is called every time you play — gentle on Easy, and a Hard-mode drive once the diagonals and backwards words appear.
How the game is played
American football is played on a long field called the GRIDIRON, and the goal is to carry or throw the ball into the other team's ENDZONE. Do that for a TOUCHDOWN — worth six points — or kick it through the posts for a three-point FIELDGOAL. The team with the ball gets four tries, called 'downs', to move ten yards and keep its drive alive.
Each play starts with the SNAP from a HUDDLE, and the QUARTERBACK either hands off or throws to a RECEIVER while the defence tries to TACKLE, SACK or force a FUMBLE. It's a game of inches and big collisions — which is why everyone wears a HELMET.
From kickoff to the Super Bowl
The top US league is the NFL, and its championship game, the SUPERBOWL, is one of the most-watched television events in the world — as famous for its half-time show and TAILGATE parties as for the football. Whether you live for game day or just show up for the snacks, this puzzle is a fun warm-up for fans and a handy way for newcomers to learn the lingo. (After the global game? Try our Soccer word search.)