Before each game, the captains from each team and the referee meet at the center of the field for the coin toss.
The winner of the coin toss has the option of starting the game by kicking the ball to the other team or receiving the kickoff from the other team.
The game begins when one of the teams kicks off to the other.
The receiving team must catch the ball and try to advance it as far back toward the kicking team as possible.
The play ends when the player with the ball is knocked to the ground (tackled), or makes it all the way to the kicking team's endzone (touchdown).
The spot where the kick returner was tackled becomes the line of scrimmage. The line of scrimmage is a term for the place the ball is spotted before a play is run.
Once this starting point is established, the offensive squad of the receiving team will come in and try to move the ball toward the opposition's end zone.
If you have any questions you can get them answered quickly by posting them on the About Football Forum!