Football Coloring Pages

• Players in action: a quarterback throwing, a running back dodging a tackle and a receiver making a catch
• Positions: a center snapping the ball and a kicker mid-swing
• Gear: a helmet with a blank side, a jersey to design, pads and cleats in a locker, and the ball with its laces
• The field: goalposts, yard lines and two teams at the line of scrimmage
• Game day: a cheerleader mid-jump, a marching band at halftime, a referee signaling a touchdown and a foam finger
• Flag football: young players with flag belts and a kid catching a pass in the backyard

If a child is coloring these pages before a first season or a first big game on TV, a few facts help the pictures make sense.

The field is 100 yards long between the goal lines, with a 10-yard end zone at each end.

Each team has 11 players on the field at a time.

Downs. The offense gets four tries, called downs, to move the ball 10 yards. If it succeeds, it gets four more.

Scoring.

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Kick after a touchdown: 1 point, or 2 points for running or passing the ball in
• Field goal: 3 points
• Safety: 2 points

Positions on the pages. The quarterback throws the ball or hands it off. Running backs carry it. Wide receivers catch passes. The offensive line blocks. Linebackers and defensive backs try to stop the play. The kicker handles field goals and extra points.

Youth coaches print the position pages and have each player color the one they're learning. For a watch party, set out the helmet page and let guests design a helmet for an invented team, then vote on the winner.