Football Terms
Shotgun:
In the shotgun, instead of the quarterback receiving the snap from center at the line of scrimmage, he stands farther behind the line of scrimmage, often five to seven yards back.
Offensive Lineman:
A lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line who block for the quarterback, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line who try to tackle the quarterback
Scramble:
A quarterback scramble occurs when the quarterback leaves the area protected by the offensive line and runs into the other areas of the field. A quarterback can scramble to avoid a sack, extend a play to give the downfield receivers more time to get open, or to attempt to gain yardage.
Blitz:
Blitzing is a tactic used by the defense to disrupt pass attempts by the offense. During a blitz, a higher than usual number of defensive players will rush the opposing quarterback, to try to tackle the quarterback or force them to hurry their pass attempt.
Snap:
A snap (also called a "hike", "snapback", or "pass from center") is the backwards passing of the ball in at the start of play from scrimmage.
Tackle:
The primary and important purpose of tackling is to strip an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend.
Offside:
In football, offside is an infraction of the rules in which a player is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This occurs simultaneously with the snap. Unlike offensive players, defensive players are not compelled to come to a set position before the snap.
Running Back:
A running back is a member of the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch a pass from out of the backfield, and to block.
Extra Point:
It occurs immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score one extra point by kicking the ball through the uprights in the manner of a field goal.
Goal Line:
The goal line is the chalked or painted line dividing the end zone from the field of play.
Punt:
A punt in football is a kick performed by dropping the ball from the hands and then kicking the ball before it hits the ground. Usually made when a team isn’t close to a score or achieving a first down.
Touchdown:
A score in football when the offensive team crosses into the end zone. Worth 6 points.
Field Goal:
A field goal is a way of scoring in football. To score a field goal the team in possession of the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights and over the crossbar.
Fumble:
When a player on the offensive team drops the ball.
Interception:
When a player on the defensive team catches the ball on a pass from the quarterback on the offensive team.
Red Zone:
The red zone is the area of the field between the 20-yard line and the goal line. The red zone has no official meaning during the process of playing the game and is not generally marked on the field (although some professional stadiums may have special striping for the 20-yard line).
Sack:
When the quarterback is pushed and tackled behind the line of scrimmage before they can throw the ball.
Quarterback:
The play caller on the offensive team. They begin the play.
Down:
A measure of play. The offensive team gets 4 before it is a turnover.
Completion:
When an offensive player successfully catches the ball.
Line of Scrimmage:
A line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the football field) beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun.
False Start:
A false start is an infraction in which an offensive player moves after he has taken a set position and before the ball is snapped.
Huddle:
A huddle is an action of a team gathering together, usually in a tight circle, to strategize, motivate or celebrate. ... The term "huddle" can be used as a verb as in "huddling up."
Center (position):
The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense. Player who snaps the ball to the quarterback
End Zone:
The end zone is the scoring area on the field.
Neutral Zone:
The neutral zone can be described as the length of the football (11 inches/28 centimeters) from one tip to the other when it is spotted (i.e. placed on a certain spot) on the field prior to the snap of the ball during a scrimmage down.
Pigskin:
What the football is "made of". Slang name for the football.
Secondary:
Defensive backs, also known as the "secondary", play either behind the linebackers or set to the outside, near the sidelines.
Hail Mary:
A play in which the ball is thrown down the field in desperation.
30. First Down:
The offensive team has 4 downs or plays to either score or gain 10 yards. If they don't gain 10 yards, after the fourth try, the opposing team gets possession of the football at the spot of the tackle. Each down is called by its name or number: First, second, third, and fourth down. The first down can be reached if you pass the imaginary first down line.
31. Safety:
When an offensive player is tackled in their own endzone. Worth 2 points for the defending team.
32. Hash Marks:
The hash marks are two rows of lines near the middle of the field that are perpendicular to the side lines. That is, if the ball is downed in between a hash mark and the nearest sideline, it must be placed on that hash mark for the next play.
33. Intentional Grounding:
When the QB throws the ball away to no player on purpose to avoid a sack.
34. Pocket:
The area in the backfield created on a passing play where the offensive line forms a wall of protection around the quarterback. This allows him adequate time to find an open receiver and to pass the ball.
35. Fair Catch:
A player attempting to catch a ball kicked by the opposing team – either on a kickoff or punt – is entitled to catch the ball without interference from any member of the kicking team.