Introduction to American Football Basics

This set of vocabulary flashcards introduces key terms, positions, rules, scoring methods, penalties, and strategic concepts essential to understanding American football.

American Football

A competitive, full-contact team sport in which two teams of 11 players seek to move an oval ball into the opponent’s end zone to score points.

Possession

Which team currently controls the ball.

Offense

The team that has the ball and is attempting to advance it down the field.

Defense

The team without the ball, working to stop the offense or take the ball away.

Special Teams

Units that handle kicking plays such as kickoffs, punts, and field-goal attempts.

End Zone

The 10-yard-deep scoring area at each end of the field.

Goalposts

Uprights (18’6” apart in the NFL) and a 10-foot-high crossbar used for field goals and extra points.

Hash Marks

Short lines parallel to the sidelines indicating where the ball is spotted; narrower in the NFL than in college/high school.

Kickoff

A free kick that starts each half and follows most scores, with the kicking team booting the ball to the receiving team.

Downs System

The offense has four attempts (downs) to gain at least 10 yards; success resets to a new first down.

First Down

Achieving the required 10 yards within four downs, granting a new set of four downs.

Snap

The action in which the center delivers the ball backward to start a play.

Run Play

A play where the quarterback hands the ball off or runs it himself.

Pass Play

A play in which the quarterback throws the ball forward to an eligible receiver.

Option Play

A play where the quarterback decides mid-play whether to run or pass.

Turnover on Downs

Loss of possession after failing to gain a first down on fourth down.

Punt

A voluntary kick on fourth down to relinquish possession and improve field position.

Interception

A defensive player catches a forward pass intended for the offense.

Fumble

When a ball carrier loses possession and either team may recover the ball.

Quarterback (QB)

Offensive leader who decides to pass, hand off, or run the ball.

Running Back (RB)

Backfield player who primarily runs with the ball but may also block or catch passes.

Halfback / Tailback

The RB who is the primary ball carrier.

Fullback (FB)

A larger back who blocks and handles short-yardage runs.

Wide Receiver (WR)

Offensive player lining up wide to specialize in catching passes.

Tight End (TE)

Hybrid player who lines up next to the line, blocking and receiving passes.

American Football

It's a tough, full-contact team sport where two teams of 11 players try to get an oval-shaped ball into the other team's end zone to score points. Think of it like a chess match, but with collisions!

Defensive Line (DL)

Front defensive unit, including tackles and ends, that stops runs and pressures the passer.

Defensive Tackle (DT)

Interior DL player focused on clogging run lanes and collapsing the pocket.

Defensive End (DE)

Edge DL player who sets the edge against runs and rushes the quarterback.

Linebacker (LB)

Second-level defender who tackles runners, covers short passes, and can blitz.

Middle Linebacker (MLB)

Central LB often called the “quarterback of the defense,” organizing alignments.

Outside Linebacker (OLB)

LB aligned outside the MLB, balancing run defense, pass coverage, and blitzing.

Cornerback (CB)

Defensive back who covers wide receivers and defends against passes.

Safety (S)

Deepest defensive back providing last-line protection; includes FS and SS.

Free Safety (FS)

Typically roams deep middle to guard against long passes.

Strong Safety (SS)

Lines up closer to the line to help versus the run and cover tight ends.

Kicker (K)

Special-teams specialist who attempts field goals, PATs, and kickoffs.

Punter (P)

Special-teams player who punts the ball, usually on fourth down.

Returner

Player who fields punts or kickoffs and attempts to advance the ball.

Long Snapper (LS)

Specialist who delivers accurate long snaps for punts and placekicks.

Touchdown (TD)

A score worth 6 points achieved by possessing the ball in the opponent’s end zone.

Extra Point (PAT)

A 1-point place-kick attempt after a touchdown.

Two-Point Conversion

A post-TD play from the 2-yard line worth 2 points if successful.

Field Goal (FG)

A 3-point score by kicking the ball through the uprights during regular play.

Safety (Scoring)

A 2-point defensive score when the offense is downed in its own end zone or commits select fouls there.

Holding

Illegally grabbing an opponent; 10-yard offensive penalty.

Offside

A defender crosses the line of scrimmage before the snap; 5-yard penalty.

False Start

An offensive player moves illegally before the snap; 5-yard penalty.

Pass Interference

Illegally hindering an opponent’s chance to catch a pass; results in spot foul or 15 yards.

Blitz

Defensive tactic of sending extra rushers to pressure the quarterback.

Zone Coverage

Defensive scheme where players guard designated areas rather than specific opponents.

Man-to-Man Coverage

Defensive scheme where each defender is responsible for a specific offensive player.

Play-Action Pass

A fake hand-off designed to resemble a run before passing the ball.

Clock Management

Strategic use of timeouts, play choices, and the game clock to influence the game’s timing.

Overtime

Extra period(s) used to break a tie; NFL uses modified sudden death, college gives each team possessions at the 25.

Two-Minute Drill

Hurry-up offensive strategy used near the end of a half to conserve clock and score quickly.

Onside Kick

A deliberately short kickoff that must travel 10 yards, intended for the kicking team to regain possession.

Fair Catch

Signal by a returner indicating he will not advance the ball and may not be tackled.

Play Clock

In the NFL, a 40-second timer between plays (also 40 seconds in college, with rule variations).

Officials

Typically seven on-field referees in the NFL who enforce rules, spot the ball, and call penalties.

Super Bowl

The NFL’s annual championship game between the AFC and NFC winners.