Glossary of Football Terms

Audible- At the line of scrimmage, prior to the initiation of the offensive play, the Quarterback will shout coed words to the other offensive players to signal a play change.  An audible is used to adjust to the other teams defensive formation or to select a play that will work better against a particular defensive formation.

Blitz- A strategy in which the defensive player(s) will forgo their pass coverage responsibility in an attempt to put pressure on the passing Quarterback.  In GRFL play, the defense is allotted one blitz play per series of downs in which they do not have to count the otherwise mandatory 6, 1,000 count prior to “rushing” the Quarterback.

Bomb- Slang term for a long pass.  Also called a “fly pattern”.  GRFL patterns #9 and #0 are fly patterns.

Carry- Also called “offensive rushing”.  An offensive player advances the ball by running from behind the line of scrimmage (a running play).  In GRFL play, the offense is allotted one running play per series of downs.

Center- The offensive line player who “hikes” or “snaps” the ball to the Quarterback.  In 11-person football, the center cannot receive passes from the Quarterback.  In GRFL play, the person who hikes the ball is an eligible receiver.   

Completion- Also known as a “reception.”  A forward pass that is thrown by the Quarterback and caught by an offensive that is beyond the line of scrimmage.

Count- The offensive count is the numbers, signals and a specific cadence that the Quarterback shouts signaling for the center to “hike” the ball to initiate a play.  Sometimes the Quarterback will shout a long count, with many signals in an attempt to confuse or draw the defense off sides (Off Sides is the term for crossing the line of scrimmage prior to the ball being hiked and is a penalty for either the offense and defense depending on who commits the infraction).

Conversion- First, it is used to describe when the offensive term advances the ball beyond the “first down” marker during a series of downs.  When the offense does this they are allotted a new set of downs (it is considered first down again).  Secondly, after the offense has scored a “touchdown”, they will try to score an “extra point” (also called extra point conversion). 

Defensive Back (DB)- Also known as a “Cornerback” or “Safety”.  These players are responsible for defending or “covering” an offensive player of section of the field during an offensive passing play.  Man-to-man Coverage refers to DB defending one offensive receiver.  In “Zone Coverage”, the DB is responsible for covering a specific section of the field.

Down- A period of play when the ball is in play and ends when the play is completed.  There are four downs per series of play.  In touch football, “down” also refers to the defensive player stopping the advance of the ball by the offensive player by touching them with their hand(s).

Draft- The selection of players to teams.  In the GRFL, players who are not on a team from a previous season or who joined as an individual (as opposed to joining with a team) are selected to a team during a private coaches’ meeting.

End Zone- Area of the field to which the offense advances the ball to score a touchdown (or extra point after a touchdown).

Extra Point- After a team has scored a touchdown, they attempt an extra point.  In 11-person, organized football, the scoring team can kick an extra point through the goal post for one point or they may run or pass for two points.  In GRFL play, the scoring team may run or pass the ball from three yard away from the end zone for one point or they may attempt a six-yard play for two points.

First Down- In 11-person football, a first down is achieved when the offensive team advances the ball at least ten yards within four downs.  If they do this they are awarded a first down (a new series of four downs), retain possession of the ball and another chance to score.  In GRFL play (given that the teams are playing on a “full-field” as outline in the GRFL Rulebook- see Coaches’ Tips section for the rulebook), a first down is achieved if the offensive team advances the ball beyond the half-field marker within the first series of downs.

Flat- Area of the field on the defensive side of the field that is within close proximity to the line of scrimmage (three to five yards).  GRFL pass patterns #1, #2, #3 are considered short patterns into the flat (see Coaches’ Tips section for graphic illustration of pass patterns 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0).

Formation- Also referred to as a “scheme.”  A predetermined set up for the offense or defense.  Plays are designed based on the formation they start in.

Foul- A violation of any playing rule.

Fumble- An offensive player drops and losses possession of the ball during a play 

Handoff- One offensive player (usually the QB), hands the ball to another offensive player (usually a Running Back).  This player can run with or pass the ball to another player providing they do not cross the line of scrimmage prior to passing the ball.

Hike- Also referred to as the “snap.”  The hike initiates the offensive play.  See also, “count.”

Huddle- Players on each team gather together prior to the beginning of the next play.  The QB or the defensive captain call the next play and formation that the team will use.

Hurry-up Offense- Also called a “no-huddle offense.”  When a team must score quickly or they want to confuse the defense, they use this type of offense.  Typically, the QB will call two or more plays in the huddle.  After the first play, the offensive team will go directly to the line of scrimmage and initiate the next play, and so on.

Incompletion- An offensive pass that is not completed due to the receiver dropping it, a non-catchable pass is thrown or the defense player tips the ball out of reach of the receiver

Interception- A defensive player catches a pass intended for an offensive receiver.  When this happens the defense then gains possession of the ball.

Lateral- A lateral is a sideways pass from one player to another.  In order for a lateral to be a legal pass when it is attempted beyond the line of scrimmage, the player receiving the lateral must be directly sideways of behind the plane of the player giving the lateral pass.

Line of Scrimmage- This is the boundary between the offense and defense.  The line of scrimmage moves depending on where the ball ends upon the completion of a play or depending on situational game rules.

Man-to-man Coverage- A defensive pass coverage strategy in which the defensive players “match up” with the offensive receivers.  Through the end of the play each defender will cover their designated receiver.

Motion- Motion refers to the movement of an offensive player prior to the snap of the ball and while all other offensive players are in an unmoving, set stance.  Motion can only be parallel to or away from the line of scrimmage.  Motion by the offense changes the offensive formation and makes the defense adjust its coverage and formation.

Route- Also referred to as “pass pattern” (see Coaches’ Tips section for graphic illustrations of GRFL patterns 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,0).

Running Back- Also referred to as a “halfback” or “rusher”.  This player’s responsibilities include carrying the ball during running plays and receiving during pass plays.

Sack- When the defense “downs” the QB behind the line of scrimmage.”

Secondary- Area of the field where the defensive backs are located and defend against the pass.  This is where the QB passes the ball to receivers.

Shotgun- An offensive formation in which the QB lines up 4-7 yards away from the line of scrimmage.  This formation (especially during a blitz situation) affords the QB more time and space to maneuver around the defensive rusher(s).

Sidelines- These are the boundaries on the side of the field that mark the end of the playing field.

Spiral- The way a football spins when thrown properly.  The ball looks like a missile when throw like this.  A slang term for when the ball flies en-over-end is called a “lame duck.”

Touchdown- The act of advancing the ball into the end zone.  This is usually done by the offense.  In 11-person football, the defense can create or respond to a “turnover” then advance the ball into the opponent’s end zone for a touchdown.  In GRFL play, the play is considered over when a turnover happens.  If there is fumble, the ball is placed at spot of the fumble and the offense retains possession (unless the play was forth down and the defense failed to convert).  If the ball is “intercepted” by the defense, the defense retains possession and the ball is placed as indicated by the GRFL Rulebook- see GRFL Rulebook).

Turnover- the offense loses possession of the ball via an interception (and an un-recovered fumble in 11-person football).

Wide Receiver- Offensive player whose primary responsibility is to run pass routes and catch pass throw to them.

Zone Coverage- A defensive pass coverage strategy in which the defensive players are responsible for defending a specific area or the “secondary.”  Regardless of where the offensive players line up or where their pass routes take them, the defensive players (DB) stay in their “zone of coverage.”

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