Until recently, American football was almost entirely unknown in Egypt. Nowadays, there are six different football teams, and even a federation.
As explained by coach Moaz Sebh, the game consists of two teams, each with 11 offensive and 11 defensive players. The game is divided four quarters, each lasting for half an hour. Between the first and the second quarter, the players switch sides, and between the second and the third one, they take a break known as halftime.
Each team has four attempts to cover 10 yards and make a touchdown, while the other team tries to foil it. If a team succeeds, it earns additional four attempts. If not, the ball goes to the other team.
“The game requires a lot of concentration,” says Sebh. “But it will never become very popular in Egypt, unless it is played in schools and universities.”
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
