

Special teams: These are the football players who are involved in the kicking plays. The center hands or passes the football between his legs to a player standing behind him (usually the quarterback). Snap: Also called the hike, the snap starts the football play. Scrambling: When the quarterback runs around trying not to get sacked with the football.
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The defense gets 2 points and the possession of the football from a free kick. Safety: When a football player is tackled in his own end zone. Sack: When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage. Also, when a football player tries to tackle the quarterback while in the pocket. Rush: When the football player runs with the football. Receivers: The football players who catch the football. He takes the snap from the center and either runs with it, hands off the football to another player, or passes it. Quarterback: This is the football player that starts each play.

Punt: A football kick to the other team to give them the ball downfield rather than lose the football on downs. Here he is protected from the pass rush by his blockers. Pocket: The place where the quarterback stands just behind the center. Play-action pass: When the quarterback fakes handing off the football and then attempts a pass. Pass protection: Blocking by the offensive football players to keep defenders away from the quarterback to give him time to throw the football. Offside: A penalty that occurs when any part of a football player's body is beyond his line of scrimmage when the football is snapped. Nickel defense: When the defense brings in a 5th defensive back to help cover the pass play. Only the center is allowed in this zone until after the ball is snapped. Neutral zone: The area between the offense and defense at the start of the play. Linemen: The offensive and defensive football players who start each play at the line of scrimmage. Line of scrimmage: The location on the field where the football is spotted and the next play begins. If a lateral is dropped, the ball is still live (like a fumble) and any player may recover it. Football players may lateral the football as many times per play as they want. Interception: A pass that is caught by a football player on the defense. Intentional grounding: A penalty called when the quarterback purposely throws an incomplete pass just to avoid a sack. Holding: A penalty where a football player grabs an opponent. The ball is available for any other player to gain possession for his team. He will not get tackled, but he also will not be allowed to run with the football.įield goal: A three point score, when the kicker kicks the football above the crossbar and between the uprights of the goalpost.įumble: When a football player drops the football.

They can kick an extra-point for 1 point or try a 2-point conversion for 2 points.įair catch: By signaling with a wave, the football player making a kick return can choose to catch the football and take possession of the ball where he made the catch. This defensive play is used to slow down the receiver and mess up any timing on the offensive play.Įligible receiver: The football players on the offense that are allowed by the rules to catch a forward pass.Įncroachment: A penalty when any football player contacts the other team prior to the snap.Įnd zone: The area at the end of the football field where the offensive team must have possession of the football to score a touchdown.Įxtra point: After a football team has scored a touchdown, they have the opportunity to score additional points.
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They usually include the quarterback, running back, and full back.īlitz: A football play where the defensive team rushes more football players than usual to try and sack the quarterback.īlocking: What the offensive team does to prevent a defensive player from tackling the player with the football.īump-and-run: When a defender hits a receiver and then goes into pass coverage. For a legal formation the offensive team must have 4 backs. Audible: When the quarterback changes the football play at the line of scrimmage.īackfield: The area of the football field behind the line of scrimmage.īacks: Football players which stand behind the line of scrimmage.
