Football 101: Game Terminology
Posted by jannelle on August 11, 2007
Part two of this tutorial deals with the terms used in the the game. Once you are familiar with these terms, understanding the game should be easy.
Chucking- This is where a player fends off of an opponent who is infront of a defender by contacting him with arm(s) extended. Followed by the arm(s) returning to a flexed position, breaking original contact
Clipping- This is defined as throwing the body accross the back on the opponents’ leg or hitting him from the back below the waist while moving up from behind. Two execptions are if someone is running or the action is in close line play.
Close Line Play (AKA The Trenches)- This is the area between the position. You will find this space occupied by the linemen (Offensive Tackles). Close line play extends three yards on each side of the line of scrimmage. In this instance, the players can clip above the knee.
Crackback-Eligible receivers who move a position more than two yards outside the tackle may not block an opponent below the waist if they decide to return inside to help block.
Dead Ball- This only mean that the ball is not in play.
Double Foul- A foul by each team during the same down. (Note: When you see the refree throw two flags on the field, its a double foul and most of the times, the penalities would offset and cancel each other out)
Down- The sequence in the game that starts when the ball is put in play and ends when the ball is rulled dead. There are 4 downs in a possession. Ten yards is usually needed to get to a first down.
Encroachment- when a player enters the Neutral Zone and make contact before the ball is snapped.
Fair Catch- A unhindered catch of a kick by a member of the receiving team. To signal a fair catch, the returner waves his arm(s) from side to side while the kick is in flight.
Foul- Playing rule violation
Free Kick- A kick off or safety kick. It may be a placekick, dropkick or punt. Punts are not used in kickoffs after a touchdown, a successful field goal, or to begin each half or overtime period.
Fumble- The loss of ball possession.
Game Clock- Found on a scoreboard, the game clock monotors the time left in the game. In the NFL, there are 4 15 minute quarters.
Impetus- The action of a player that gives momentum to the ball.
Live Ball- A ball legally kicked or snapped (hiked)
Line Of Scrimmage-an imaginary line separating the offense and the defense
Loose Ball- A live ball not in possession by any player.
Muff- Touching of a loose ball by a player in an unsuccessful attempt to gain possession.
Neutral Zone- The space the length of a ball between the two scrimmage lines. The offense and defense must remain behind their end of the ball. Only the player who snaps the ball can be in the zone.
Offside- A player is offside when any part of his body is beyond his scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is snapped or kicked.
Own Goal- The goal a team is guarding
Play Clock- This clock is usually 40 or 25 seconds long. If selecting a play goes beyond the provided time, the offense or the defense is charged with a delay of game penality.
Pocket Area- This is the area located two yards outside of either offensive tackle and includes the tight end if he drops off the line of scrimmage to pass protect.
Punt-A kick where a player drops the ball and kicks in while in flight.
Safety- The situation in which the ball is dead or behind a team’s own goal if the impetus comes from the player on that team. Two points are scored for the opposing team.
Shift-Movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.
Touchback-When a ball is dead or behind a teams own goal line, provided the impetus came from an opponent and provide it is not a touchdown or a missed field goal
Touchdown-Where any part of the ball in legal possession of a player inbounds breaks the plane of the opponent’s goal line, provided if it is not a touchback. Touchdowns are worth 6 points
Source, NFL
