Football Terms

Terms in this set (19)

The group of offensive players — the running backs and quarterback — who line up behind the line of scrimmage.

A period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead (meaning the play is completed). The offense gets four of these to advance the ball 10 yards. If it fails to do so, it must surrender the ball to the opponent, usually by punting on the fourth down.

The series of plays when the offense has the football, until it punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the ball.

A 10-yard-long area at each end of the field. You score a touchdown when you enter in control of the football. If you're tackled in your own end zone while in possession of the football, the other team gets a safety.

A kick, worth one point, that's typically attempted after every touchdown (it's also known as the point after touchdown, or PAT). The ball is placed on either the 2-yard line (in the NFL) or the 3-yard line (in college and high school) and is generally kicked from inside the 10-yard line after being snapped to the holder. It must sail between the uprights and above the crossbar of the goalpost to be considered good.

When the player returning a punt waves his extended arm from side to side over his head. After signaling, a player can't run with the ball, and those attempting to tackle him can't touch him.

A kick, worth three points, that can be attempted from anywhere on the field but is usually attempted within 40 yards of the goalpost. Like an extra point, a kick must sail above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost to be ruled good.

The act of losing possession of the ball while running with it or being tackled. Members of the offense and defense can recover. If the defense recovers it's called a turnover.

The act of giving the ball to another player.

When the 11 players on the field come together to discuss strategy between plays.

A forward pass that falls to the ground because no receiver could catch it, or a pass that a receiver dropped or caught out of bounds.

A pass that's caught by a defensive player, ending the offense's possession of the ball.

A free kick (meaning the receiving team can't make an attempt to block it) that puts the ball into play. used at the start of the first and third quarters and after every touchdown and successful field goal.

Line of Scrimmage

An imaginary line that extends from where the football is placed at the end of a play to both sides of the field. Neither the offense nor the defense can cross the line until the football is put in play again.

A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it falls toward his foot.

When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage.

A score, worth two points, that the defense earns by tackling an offensive player in possession of the ball in his own end zone.

The 22 players who are on the field during kicks and punts. These units have special players who return punts and kicks, as well as players who are experts at covering kicks and punts.

A score, worth six points, that occurs when a player in possession of the ball crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line, when a player catches the ball while in the opponent's end zone, or when a defensive player recovers a loose ball in the opponent's end zone.

;

Flickr Creative Commons Images

Some images used in this set are licensed under the Creative Commons through Flickr.com.
Click to see the original works with their full license.