Football Vocab

Alignment: Pertains to how and where players are lined up prior to the snap. Defensive players often utilize the alignment (position) of the offensive players to determine where they line up. 

Angle Block: An angle block occurs when an offensive player takes a directional step in the direction of the player he plans to block. Often seen as a much easier block especially when performed by a quick footed blocker. 

Audible: A play called by an offensive player (usually the Quarterback) at the line of scrimmage.  Often the Quarterback has seen read the defense and calls a play with a higher likelihood to be successful. 

A Gap: Usually used by the defense that designates the gaps on either side of the center. 

Balanced Line: An Offensive alignment that uses equal numbers of linemen on both sides of the ball.  The Offensive alignment doesn’t give the defense a clear “strong” side call. 

Blitz: All-out rush by one or more linebackers as well as possible all-out rush by defensive backs at the snap of the ball.  The defense tries to sack or tackle the QB before he can pass or handoff. 

Block: The use of legal contact to prevent a defender from tackling a ball carrier. 

Bootleg: The Quarterback fakes a handoff one direction then reverses field.  A naked boot would be a bootleg without a pulled blocker on the bootleg side. 

Bootleg Pass: The Quarterback fakes a handoff (play-action) one direction then reverses field and passes the ball away from the play-action.  Called a “waggle pass” often. 

Boundary: The boundary is both sidelines. If the ball is carried or passed outside of the boundary of the field it is often called “out-of-bound.” 

Bullets: Defenders on kickoffs that are not restricted to their lanes like the other defenders. Bullets (crash-men) try to get the receiver of the kickoff as fast as possible. 

B Gap: Used by the defense in reference to the gaps just outside each offensive guard.  

Cadence: The audible signals prior to but often signals the snap of the football. Many cadence calls sound like “Down, Set, Hut!” 

Center: The offensive player the snaps or hikes the ball.  This starts every play. 

Chain Gang: Usually three or four assistants that handle or run the down-box (displays down and marks distance), and the chains (that measure distance for a first down-10 yards). 

Check Off: Another name for an audible.  Changing the original play at the line of scrimmage. 

Clipping: A penalty called when a blocker or player hits or attempts to block another player from behind.  Usually results in a 15 yard penalty. 

Clothesline: Hitting or striking an opponent in the head or just below the helmet.  This is a 15 yard penalty. 

Completion: A pass that is caught. 

Conversion: occurs when a team scores an extra point after a touchdown or a two point conversion. A failed conversion attempt would be when the offense either misses the kick or gets stopped short. 

Cornerback: Corners are aligned at the outsides of the defense and are primarily pass defenders but also can come up on running plays. As an example a corner will often take the option pitch. 

Crackback Block: Blocks made by offensive players lined up outside of the defender. A crackback block is legal if the blocker leads with his hands on the defender and does not hit the defender below the waist. 

Curl: A receivers curls in after running downfield before turning inside and looking for the pass. In an attempt the separate more from the defender the receiver will run back towards the Line-of-scrimmage slightly on a curl route. 

Dead Ball: When the play is blown dead by the referees whistle. The ball is considered no longer “in play.” 

Defense: the team that is defensing against the offense.

Defensive Backfield: These are the defenders that are lined up behind the defensive linemen. This consists of the defensive backs as well as the linebackers. 

Delay of Game: Failure to snap the ball or put it in play within the time allowed (usually 25 seconds). 

Depth Chart: Listing players in order that they will be utilized during games at certain positions. A player may be the 2nd Quarterback but the third Tailback. 

Down: Each play that begins with the snap of the ball by the center is considered a “Down.”

Down Box: An indicator on the sideline of what down is currently going to be played. 

Down and Distance: Refers to the current down that is going to be played and the distance the offense has to gain a first down. 

Down and In: Pass route where a receiver runs down the field then breaks hard to the inside of the field. 

Down and Out: Pas route where the receiver runs down the field the suddenly breaks hard to the outside towards the sideline. 

Draw Play: A fake pass play that turns into a rushing play.  Many times this play starts with a drop back by the QB who then hesitates then hands the ball to the Running Back. 

Drive Block: A block that attempts to push the defender straight back.  If a defender gets pushed straight back it is said he was “blown off the ball.” 

Eligible: Usually applies to an offensive player who can legally catch a forward pass. 

Encroach: This is a penalty where a defender lined up in the neutral zone prior to the ball being snapped. 

End Line: The ends or back of the field. The goal posts are located just behind this line. 

End Zone: The area between the goal line and the end of the field. 

Extra Point: After a touchdown the Offense gets the ball for one untimed down at the three yard line for a chance to kick for one point or run a play that scores 2 points. Also called a conversion attempt. 

Fair Catch: The catch of a punted ball in which the receiver of the catch signals (raising and or waving his hand) before the catch. The receiver then can catch the ball without being tackled but can not advance the ball.  

False Start: When an offensive player or players makes a move towards the line-of-scrimmage just prior to the ball being centered. Usually results in a 5 yard penalty. 

Field Goal: A placed-kick that travels over the opposing teams crossbar and between the uprights netting three points. 

Field Position: The location of the ball currently on the field.  When an Offense gets the ball in a position closer to their goal line it is called “good field position.” 

Flanker: An offensive player lined up wide to the right or left of the main body of the offense.  Usually used as a wide receiver. 

Flood/Flood Route: When the offense utilizes more receivers in an area than there are defenders. 

Formation: A formation is the way an Offense or Defense lines up and utilizes their personnel. 

Forward Pass: A ball that is thrown forward by an offensive players (usually the QB) towards the opponents territory thus forward. 

Four-Down Territory: Areas of field position where a coach would be more likely to use all four downs to gain a first down. 

Four-Point Stance: When a linemen lines up with both hands in the grass adding to his feet this is called a four-point stance. Three point stances are much more common than a four-point stance. 

Free Kick: The kick that starts the game, restarts the game, or used after scores. 

Full House Formation: An offensive formation that has all three backs lined up in the backfield.  The straight T formation is a “Full House.” 

Fumble: A fumble occurs when a ball carrier becomes separated from the ball. 

Fumble Recovery: When a player recovers or secures a ball that was previously fumbled. 

Gap: The space between two offensive linemen.  These gaps of often lettered. Example “A Gap.” 

Goal Line: The line that starts the endzone and represents the line the ball has to cross to gain a touchdown. 

Goal-Line Stand: When the defense keeps the offense out of the endzone in all attempts near the goal line. 

Gridiron: The football field. 

Hail Mary: A long pass typically thrown with time running out in the game or a half.  The Quarterback will launch the ball in to a point in the field of play hoping a receiver can come down with the ball in scoring position. 

Handoff: Handing the ball to a teammate. 

Hashmarks: These are the marks on the field that divide it into thirds.  Also, if the ball is downed outside a hashmark it is placed on the closest hashmark for the next play. 

Hike: The ball is snapped into play. 

Holder: The player who will hold the ball on a placekick. 

Holding: The physical act of grabbing an opponent with ones hands in an attempt to prevent him from getting to the play. Carries a 10 yard penalty on offense and a 5 yard penalty for the defense plus down-over. 

Hook: A pass route where the receiver runs straight downfield prior to turning hard back to the line-of-scrimmage. Usually deeper than a curl. 

Huddle: The grouping of players calling the formation and play on offense or the defensive front and blitz package on defense. 

Incomplete Pass: A pass that was thrown forward but was not caught by either an offensive player or defensive player. 

Interception: When a forward pass is caught by a defensive player.  An interception is a turnover. 

Lateral: A pass or toss that travels to the side or back but not forward. A pitch on the option is actually a lateral. 

Line of Scrimmage (LOS): Imaginary line that exists at the tip of the football and runs to each sideline. It is used by both teams for alignment of players prior to the snap. 

Official: In Gridiron Football the Referees or Officials control the game by maintaining order and enforcing penalties. 

Pass Rush: The defensive line attempts to tackle the Quarterback prior to throwing a forward pass (sack). The pass rush pressure can be applied by other defensive players as well. 

Penalty: Penalties in football are basically punishments applied to a team that has broken a rule.  Penalties are usually applied in 5, 10, or 15 yard increments but can also a loss of down or possession of the ball. 

Play-kick: This is a kick that is made while the ball is in contact with the ground and held by a teammate or a kicking tee. 

Punt: A kick from scrimmage in which the ball is dropped from the punter’s hands and kicked before hitting the ground. A ball kicked after hitting the ground would be a “drop kick.” 

Recover: To gain possession of a fumbled ball. Also known as a “recovery.”

Referee: In Gridiron Football the Referees or Officials control the game by maintaining order and enforcing penalties. 

Rush: Is a running play where the ball carrier attempts to gain yardage with the ball after it has been centered (snap). 

Sack: To tackle the Quarterback before he can throw or pass the football. 

Safety: When an opponents forces the ball down inside of a teams own endzone they are rewarded with two points and it’s called a “Safety.” 

Snap: The action of centering the ball.  The center can snap the ball by handing or passing it off between his legs. Also called a “hike.” 

Touchback: A touchback occurs when a player receives a kickoff or punt from behind their own goal line and then proceeds to down the ball in their end zone, instead of trying to return the ball.

Touchdown: Six points is rewarded to the team that crosses the goal line or gets the ball into the endzone of the opponents.