This game is intended to be played like a real football game

If there is any confusion, follow the rules of football. Have fun! 

Remember, it’s not about winning but having fun with your family and friends 😊 

• Separate cards into the correct piles for:
  • Offense: Pass, Run, Kick Return, Punt
  • Defense: Pass, Run, Field Goal, Punt Return
• Arrange the cards:
• Each player will have 4 decks of cards placed in front of them.
  • Place the Offense cards into one tray and Defense cards into the other.
  • Place the Offense Field Goal Chart card on the table for all to view.
• Prepare the score sheet:
  • Either go to the readysethutfootbal.com web page or download the Ready Set Hut! Score Sheet from the app store.
  • Add your team name to the name squares. The team in the left box will go first and will have a football symbol next to the name.

This is a drive-based game. Each player will get 10 offensive drives to score points. More drives can be added if there is a tie or if you want to extend the game playing time. Before starting, determine the number of drives you want to play. 20 drives (10 offensive drives per player) will provide a good balance between strategy and luck.

• Kick Return:
  • Offense flips over a Kick Return card onto the table and records the number in the Kick Return box. This is where you will start your 1st Offensive drive.
• 1st Down:
  • Offense declares a play: Pass or Run.
  • Offense flips over the top card from the chosen play type and places it face up on the table.
  • Defense flips over their card that matches the offensive play call.
  • Subtract the defense card yards from the offense card yards to determine the yards gained or lost. Record this number in the 1st down Pass or Run box.
  • The interactive scorecard will update and show how many yards are needed for a 1st down.
  • Follow the detailed instructions on all ACTION cards.
  • If you don’t gain more than 10 yards, it becomes 2nd down.
• 2nd Down & 3rd Down:
  • Played just like 1st down.
• 4th Down:
  • Decision time for the offense! You're the coach. You call the play!:
    • Go for it: If you don’t get a first down, you lose possession of the ball, and your offensive drive is complete. Your opponent gets the ball at the current line of scrimmage.
    • Kick a Field Goal: Take notice of what the line of scrimmage is, then review the Field Goal card chart to see how many defensive cards are drawn from the deck to determine if the Field Goal is Good! or No Good!. After you review Field Goal chart card you will then turn the correct number of cards face up onto the table. If all the cards are Good! then you receive 3 points and your offensive drive is over. If the No Good! Card is turned over then you receive 0 points and lose possession of the ball. Your opponent gets the ball at the current line of scrimmage.
    • Punt: Offense flips over one Punt card, and Defense flips over one Punt card. Subtract Offense from Defense to determine the new line of scrimmage for the other player. If the total is less than your opponent’s      1-yard line, it’s a Touchback, and the next player starts at their 30-yard line.
• Switching Turns:
  • Collect the cards from the table, add them to the correct deck, shuffle, then switch the offensive and defensive card trays to your opponent.
  • When ready, click on the next drive sheet.

If at any point during the 4 downs the offensive yards are less than the other player’s         1-yard line, this is a Touchdown, and you receive 7 points. 

There will be no extra point or 2-point conversion attempts in this card game.

Whenever points are scored by either a Field Goal or a Touchdown, the next drive will start with the Offense flipping over a Kick Return Card.

It is possible, when on offense, to get negative yards that add up to be less than your own 1-yard line. If this happens, it is called a Safety. Your opponent gets 2 points and also becomes the offensive player.

• Review all the cards before you play the game.
• Offense:
  • High Pass card: 10
  • Low Pass card: 7
  • High Run card: 7
  • Low Run card: 4
• Defense:
  • Pass and Run cards: 1-4

It looks like you will gain more yards passing, but there is a higher chance for the defense to flip over an Action card where the offense gets 0 or even -5 yards.

• Action cards will play out just like real football:
  • Pass cards are higher risk but higher rewards.
  • There are 6 offensive Action cards and 6 defensive Action cards.
  • Run cards are lower risk but lower rewards.
  • There are 4 offensive Action cards and 3 defensive Action cards.
• The Offense Pass and Run decks each have 1 Touchdown! card.
• The Defense Pass deck has 1 Interception! card.
• The Defense Run deck has 1 Force Fumble! card.

The game ends when the chosen number of drives are reached. The player with the most points wins! If there is a tie after the predetermined drive sheets are completed, you can add 2 or even 4 more drives to the game. Or, be creative and come up with other fun options. For example, each team starts a drive on the 30-yard line and sees who gets the most points in their next drive, or 2 or 3 drives.

If you are a football purist, you could follow the exact rules of NFL football.

Have fun and enjoy your time with your friends and family!