Here are some common football terms.
Line of scrimmage: Where both teams line up their players. No one may cross it until the ball is snapped.
Huddle: The players group together on the field and call a play.
Snap: When the center passes the ball thru his legs to the quarterback
Handoff: placing the ball from one player, usually the quarterback, into another runners hands.
Pass: throwing the ball down the field to a receiver.
Option: A play when the quarterback has the choice of passing, handing off or running with the ball.
Waggle:The quarterback fakes a handoff one way and then rolls out the other way. This is used to fake out the defense. Example
Audible: The quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage. He sees that a different play will work better.
Pull Block: When an offensive lineman moves out and blocks a defender on the outside of the play.
Motion: A player is moving parallel to the line of scrimmage to get open or to get to a place. Only one player can be in motion and cannot turn up field until the ball is snapped. If they do it is illegal motion.
Time Out:
This stops the clock and allows for the team to get organized and
ready for the next play. Teams call time out when they are
confused on what play to run or if they have trouble with a play.
Formation: The positioning of the eleven players. Both the offense and defense have formations. These formations tell the players when to go before a play start. See different formations.
Pick:When two receivers cross and one bumps the defender of the other. This is supposed to be offensive pass interference, but it is seldom called.
Hot Receiver: The receiver who has the duty of being the receiver the quarterback will throw to when a blitz is recognized. The quarterback will call an audible and throw the quick slant.
Scramble: When the quarterback has to run to get away for would be tacklers.
Shotgun: A formation where the quarterback lines up behind the center but five yards deep. He takes the snap like a backwards pass thru the legs of the center.
Crossing Route:When a receiver waits a moment then runs over the middle across the field. Example of a crossing route.
Blitz: A defensive strategy where the linebackers or safeties rush the quarterback. This puts extra pressure on the quarterback and the defense tries to get a sack or a bad pass. Example of a blitz
Sack: When the quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
Interception: When the defense catches a pass from the quarterback or offense.
Fumble: When a ball carries loses possession of the ball.
Penalty: A player violation of the rules. Penalties are called for many different reasons. Some examples include holding, clipping, interference or offsides. Usually penalties cause the team a loss of yardage.
Holding: When a blocker uses his hands to grab a defender. This carries a ten yard loss.
Clipping: Blocking a player in the back. this is a fifteen yard loss.
Blocking below the waist:This is blocking a defender on the legs down field. It is legal in the NFL, not in high school or college.
Interference: When a defensive player get on the way of a pass receiver. This is a fifteen yard penalty.
Off sides: When a player from either team goes across the line of scrimmage be for the snap.
Punt: Kicking the ball down the field, usually on fourth down.
Fair Catch:When a returner signals they want to catch the ball and not try to advance the ball. No one can tackle or interfere with a player that has made a fair catch.
Gunner: A player on the kick cover team that is the first down the field to make a play on the returner.
Returner: A player that returns kicks and punts. Usually fast and sure handed.
Wedge: A group of four or five players forming a wedge or V shape to block for a kick returner. Example
Kickoff: Putting the ball into play at the start of the game and second half, and after each score.
Touchdown: When a team crosses the opponents goal line it is a touchdown and is worth six points.
Extra point: After a touchdown, the scoring team can kick for one point or try to run or pass for two points.
Field Goal: Then a team kick the ball through the goal posts on s scrimmage kick. This is worth three points.
Safety:
When the defense tackles the offensive ball carrier in their own
end zone. This is worth two points.
MVP: Most Valuable Player. An award given to the best player in a game or for the season. Previous award winners.