2torial #0544: Learn2 Understand American Football (continued) Understand what the defense tries to prevent The defensive team tries to stop the offense from advancing the ball. Defensive players may tackle any player that has the ball, or try to prevent a thrown ball from reaching its intended target. They cannot physically interfere with an offensive receiver to prevent a player from catching it, but they can tackle or hit that player hard enough to make them drop it before they have the ball under control. They may also attempt to cause a "fumble" by knocking the ball out of any offensive player's grasp.   A team scores a "touchdown", worth 6 points, if one of its players enters the opposing team's end zone in possession of the ball while the play is still in progress. That team will then either attempt to kick the ball, from a short distance away, through the goalposts to score an "extra point" (for a total of 7) or attempt to advance the ball into the end zone a second time, from a short distance away, to score a "conversion" (for a total of 8).   A team will make a "field goal", worth 3 points, if its "kicker" can kick the ball through the upright goalposts through the opposing team's end zone. Attempting a field goal is often the final play in a drive. The maximum practical distance for a field goal attempt is about forty-five yards, although teams will often attempt one from greater distances. Step 5