BACKFIELD  The group of offensive players, usually the Quarterback, Running Backs and Full Back, that line up behind the line of scrimmage. It can also refer to the actual area of the field behind the line of scrimmage.

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THE DEFENSE  The job of the defense is to stop the offense. The eleven men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense’s end zone.  

                            - Linebackers defend against the pass and push forward to stop the run or tackle the QB.

                            - The defensive line (ends and tackles) battles head-to-head against the offensive line.

                            - Cornerbacks and safeties defend against the pass from the QB to the wide receiver and help                                stop the run. 

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DOWNS  Each time the offense gets the football, they get “four” downs/chances and ten yards, to move the football towards the opponent’s goal line. If they make the 10 yards, the offense gets another 10 yards and another 10 yards and another 10 yards until they score or fail to make 10 yards.  If the offense fails to make the 10 yards by lack of forward progress or penalty, they have to punt the ball to the opponent. Or if they are in the Kickers range of the goal post, they can attempt a field goal.

• EXAMPLE: If the offense gains 2 yards on the first play (a run or pass), then that 2 yards is deducted from the next play (10-2=8). So now the offense is on second down and they now have 8 yards to go to make first down: 2ndand 8. Say on this next play, the QB throws the ball to the WR, but he misses the ball. The offense is now: 3rdand 8; because there was no gain.  Now it’s 3rddown and the play called is a run. The football is handed off to the RB and he bust up the middle for 12 yards.  Even though he made more yards than were needed, it is still signaled by the referee as 1st down and the ball is placed where the RB was tackled.  Offense retains possession of the ball and they “get a new set of downs.” 

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• If by the 4th down, the offense has not made 1st down or ten yards; they have to punt the ball to the opponent or attempt a field goal. Sometimes if a team is on 4thdown and are within inches of making the 10 yards…they will go for it. If they can get the first down, they keep the ball and they get another 10 yards or a new “set of downs,” however, if they do not make it, the other team gets possession of the ball where the offense was stopped. 

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END ZONE  The scoring area at each end of the field.

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FAIR CATCH  When a Punt Returner decides to catch a punt without the intention of advancing after the catch. A fair catch is signaled when the Punt Returner waves an extended arm over his head. No defensive player can tackle the punt returner once a fair catch has been signaled. 

 

 

FALSE START  Offense moves before the ball is snapped. NO ONE on the offense can move once the QB is in position behind the center, except the man-in- motion and the quarterback who is only allowed to move his head right and left, nothing else.

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FUMBLE  Occurs when a player who has possession and control of the ball loses it before he goes out of bounds, scores or before any part of his body touches the field. In other words, when his knee, elbow, hand, shoulder, back, butt, head…etc., touches the ground, the player is considered down and if he loses the ball afterwards, the offense will retain possession. If the football is out of his hands before his body touches the field, then it is indeed a fumble. Whoever recovers the fumble, gets the ball.

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HUDDLE  This is the Kumbaya moment on the football field prior to the offense and defense lining up on either side of the line of scrimmage for the snap of the ball. The offense specifically and usually the defense stands close together so the Quarterback on offense and a designated defensive player tells his teammates what the play is. There is a time limit to getting the ball snapped so whatever play is being called is done quickly. Also, there can be no more than eleven men in the huddle.

 

 

INTERCEPTION  When a player on defense catches a ball thrown by the Quarterback instead of the intended receiver. The defense now has possession of the ball and is now offense.   

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LINE OF SCRIMMAGE  The yard line where the football is placed by the referee for the offense to start their attempt at gaining 10 yards. Neither team can cross this line until the football is snapped by the Quarterback.  

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MAN-IN-MOTION  After the offense is in formation and prior to the snap of the football; a player comes out of his stance and runs from one side of the offense to another, this is a Man-in-Motion. 

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THE OFFENSE  The eleven men who have possession of the ball is the offense. While only the quarterback, wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs can legally handle the ball; it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker. In fact, he is a man of many talents; he throws the ball, hands the ball off, he himself runs with the ball, and if he sees some trickery on defense while he is in pre-snap position, (underneath center), he can change the play called by the coaches. 

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OFFSIDES  When a player on the defense moves out of his stance (and cannot get back into it) or crosses the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

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ONSIDE KICK  An intentionally short kickoff that is required to travel forward 10 yards, so the kicking team/offense can attempt to recover it. Usually implemented when the offense really needs the ball to remain in their possession in order to score and win. Also used as a “trick play,” so the offense can keep the ball in order to score.

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PICK-SIX  When a defensive player returns an interception for a touchdown.

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POCKET  The area on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage where the Quarterback positions himself to throw or hand-off the ball. This area is where the Offensive Linemen protect the QB from anyone on defense. 

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RED CHALLENGE FLAG  Thrown by the head coach onto the field to inform referees that they would like the previous play reviewed. Must be thrown before the Quarterback snaps the ball on the next play. 

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RED ZONE  The area between the 20-yard line and goal line of the defended endzone. When the offense is in this area, there is a better chance of scoring either a touchdown or a field goal.  

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SACKED  When a defensive player tackles the Quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. The play is over and loss of down.

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SECONDARY  The secondary consists of Corners, Safeties, Free Safeties and Strong Safeties.  (Please see “Players Positions” section for detailed description).  

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SNAP  The motion that begins each play throughout a football game, except for the kickoff. A snap is made by having a player, usually the center or long snapper crouch over the ball in the manner of an offensive lineman and toss the ball backwards between his legs to whichever player is meant to receive the snap on that particular play (positions explained in Player Positions). The player who snaps the ball is expected to provide a precise snap directly to the hands of his intended target to increase chances of a successful start to the play. 

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TACKLE  This is when the defense prevents the offense from advancing the ball by bringing the ball carrier to the ground. A player is tackled when one or both of his knees touch the ground. The play is then over.

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THREE-POINT STANCE  A 3-point stance is used mostly by the Offensive Line, Defensive Linemen, Tight Ends and Full Backs. A picture is really worth a thousand words:

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TWO MANY MEN ON THE FIELD  A penalty called when a team has more players on the field than the rules permit. Football only allows 11 men on offense and 11 men on defense at a time. “Too Many Men on the Field” often happens when a team improperly uses a substitution. Someone forgets to come off the field after their substitution came on the field.

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TOUCHBACK  After a punt or kick-off; at the opposite end of the football field is the punt returner or kick-off returner.  This player is there to catch the ball, however, if he decides to call a “fair-catch’ or the ball goes over his head into the endzone, it is called a touchback. The ball is then placed at the 25-yard line; which is now the Line of Scrimmage.

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TWO-MINUTE WARNING  The two-minute warning stops the game clock when two minutes are left in the 2nd and 4th quarter. No red challenge flags can be thrown by either team at this time.

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TWO-POINT STANCE  The “two-points” on the ground in this stance are the feet. They are placed shoulder width apart pointing forward. One of the players feet is staggered back. For an O-Lineman this will be the foot away from the ball; for a D-Lineman it will be the foot towards the ball. The player bends at the knees; this lowers his center of gravity and makes it harder for him to be knocked over or down. He keeps his weight off his heels to boost quickness as he moves to tackle or block.

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