Football Terms Study Guide

Fumble

Any loss of player possession other than kicking, passing, or handling.

Line of scrimmage

Imaginary line that the ball is placed at the beginning of a down and no player may cross until the ball is snapped.

Snap

The legal act of passing or handling the ball backward from its position on the ground.

Offsides

A penalty when a player crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

Lateral

Pass thrown parallel with or behind the player in possession with the ball.

Forward pass

Passes thrown towards the opponent’s endline

Blitz

A play in which the rusher can rush the quarterback without counting to five

Touchdown

When the ball crosses the goal line, worth 6 points

Field Goal

Usually occurring on 4th down, this occurs when the ball is kicked through the goal posts, worth 3 points

Extra Point

Only after a touchdown occurs, ball is kicked through the goal posts, worth 1 point

Incomplete Pass

A forward pass that touches the ground before the ball is caught

Completion

A forward pass to a teammate who catches the ball in the air

Interception

A play in which a defensive player catches the ball in the air thrown by the quarterback

Rules

• No tackling

• No fumbles - it’s a dead ball where the ball touches the ground, including in the snap

• Defense can only blitz one time every 4 downs

• Offense can only run one time every 4 downs

• On 4th down, offense has the choice to punt or go for it

• When playing indoors - 4 downs only

• When playing outdoors - if team passes midfield, 1st down

• Person with the ball must be touched by 2 hands for the play to stop. Two hand touch is the same as a tackle in football

• Cannot rush for 5 counts starting when the quarterback touches the ball

• Start with a kick off from the 20 yard line to begin the game

• Offensive line cannot catch the ball, they are only allowed to block

• A female must be involved in every other play, whether that be receiving the ball or throwing the ball. Being the center does not count

Offense

• 5 offensive linemen (right tackle, right guard, center, left guard, left tackle)

• 1 quarterback, 1 half-back (HB or running back), 2-3 receivers (wide receiver)

• 1 tight end (TE) (if only 2 receivers), fullback (fb)

Defense

• 3-4 defensive lineman (2 defensive ends, 2 defensive tackles), 1-3 linebackers

• outside linebacker, middle linebacker, outside linebacker), 4 defensive backs

• strong safety, free safety, 2 defensive backs

Special Teams

• When kicking the ball off to start the game or after a touchdown

• punting the ball away on 4th down

• field goal and extra point