Football Terms
A regulation field is 100 yards long with two 10 yard end zones for a total of 120 yards in
length. The field is approximately 53 yards wide.
2. Blitz – An all-out rush by the defense directed at the quarterback in an effort to sack him
before he can hand the ball off or pass it.
3. Center (C) – the player who snaps the ball to the QB.
4. Completion – A legally caught pass
5. Cover – To defend a player or location on the field.
6. Cut – to suddenly change direction to lose a pursuing player.
7. Dead Ball – A ball that is no longer in play.
8. Defense – The team defending their goal line against the offense. The team without the
ball.
9. Defensive Back (DB) – Defensive players that defend against the pass and the wide
receivers.
10. Down – Period of time between when the ball is hiked and when it is dead. A team is
allowed four downs to either get a touchdown or a first down.
11. Forward Pass – Throwing the ball forward or in the direction of advancement.
12. Fumble – A ball that is dropped while in play.
13. Goal Line – The line over which the ball must pass to score a touchdown.
14. Hand Off – To hand the ball off to a teammate.
15. Huddle – The action of the players grouping together on their side of the line of
scrimmage to plan the next play.
16. Incomplete – A forward pass that is not caught by the offense.
17. Interception (INT) – When the defense catches a pass thrown by the offense.
18. Kick-Off – How the ball is put into play after a touchdown is scored or at the beginning
of each half.
19. Lateral – A toss, pitch, or pass that is thrown in any direction except toward the
opponents’ goal line. Must be thrown behind or sideways.
20. Line of Scrimmage (L.O.S.) – Imaginary line from sideline to sideline where the last
play ended and the next begins. The offense is on one side and the defense is on the other
between plays.
21. Man-to-Man Defense – Covering each member of the offense with a member of the
defense.
22. Offsides – When a player is over the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
23. Pass Route – The specific route run by a wide receiver to catch a pass.
24. Punt – a kick deep into the opponents’ territory when the offense can’t make a first
down.
25. Offense – The team with the ball.
26. Quarterback (QB) – Player that takes the snap from the center and either passes, hands
off or runs with the ball. Considered the most difficult and most important position on
the field.
27. Running Back – Offensive player who lines up behind the quarterback whose job is
usually to run with the ball.
28. Sack – Tackling the quarterback before he can throw a pass.
29. Scoring – 6 points for a touchdown, 1 point for a kicking conversion, 2 points for a
running or passing conversion, 2 points for a safety, 3 points for a field goal.
30. Wide Receiver (WR) – Offensive player who runs pass routes and advances the ball
after a catch.
31. Zone Defense – A defensive strategy where each player has an area or zone of the field to
defend.
Pass Routes
1. Curl – the wide receiver runs 10-15 yards downfield and turns in towards the QB and
stops.
2. Deep Out – the wide receiver runs 10-15 yards downfield before turning out at 90
degrees towards the sideline.
3. Go/Streak – the wide receiver runs straight and full speed down the field in an attempt to
run past the defender and score a big TD.
4. Hitch – the wide receiver runs 5 yards and turns towards the QB and stops.
5. Post – the wide receiver runs 10-15 yards downfield before turning toward the middle of
the field at a 45 degree angle (in the direction of the goalpost).
6. Quick Slant - the wide receiver runs downfield for 5 yards, and then suddenly cuts at a
45 degree angle toward the middle of the field.
7. Quick Out – the wide receiver runs downfield for 5 yards, and then suddenly turns out at
90 degrees toward the sideline.