Glossar von American-Football-Begriffen
The following terms are used in American football and Canadian football.
0-9
- 3-4
- a defensive formation with 3 linemen and 4 linebackers. A professional derivative in the 1970's of the earlier Oklahoma or "50" defense, which had 5 linemen and 2 linebackers. The 3-4 outside linebackers resemble "stand-up ends" in the older defense.
- 4-3
- a defensive formation with 4 linemen and 3 linebackers.
- 50 defense
- a once popular college defense with 5 defensive linemen and 2 linebackers.
A
- audible
- a play called by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to change the play that was called in the huddle.
- automatic
- an audible. Also referred to as a "check-off".
B
- blitz
- a defensive maneuver in which one or more linebackers or defensive backs, who normally remain behind the line of scrimmage, instead charge into the opponents' backfield.
- bootleg
- an offensive play in which the quarterback pretends to hand the ball to another player, and then carries the ball with few or no blockers toward a sideline, then attempts to either pass or run with the ball. Contrast with scramble, sneak, and draw
C
- center
- a player position on offense. The center snaps the ball.
- chuck and duck
- a style of offense with mininal pass protection requiring the Quarterback to "chuck" the ball then "duck" to avoid a defensive lineman.
- clipping
- an illegal block in which the victim is blocked from the back and below the waist; the penalty is 15 yards. Originally, clipping was defined as any block from the back, but is now restricted to blocks below the waist. Other blocks from the back are now punished with 10-yard penalties.
- coffin corner
- the corner of the field of play. A punter, if he is close enough, will often attempt to kick the ball out of bounds close to the receiving team's goal line and pin them back near their own end zone.
- cornerback
- a defensive back who lines up near the line of scrimmage across from a wide receiver. Their primary job is to disrupt passing routes and to defend against short and medium passes.
- counter
- a running play in which the running back will take a step in the opposite direction of the play, only to get the handoff in the other direction. Weak side linemen will sometimes pull and lead the back downfield (sometimes called a counter trap), but not necessarily. The play is designed to get the defense to flow away from the action for a few steps, allowing more room for the running back.
- crackback block
- an illegal block delivered below the opponent's waist by an offensive player who had left the area of close line play and then returned to it, or was not within it at the snap. The term is also used to describe a legal block (delivered from the front, or from the side with the offensive player's helmet in front of the blocked player) by a wide receiver on a player who lined up inside of him.
D
- dead ball
- a ball which is not in play.
- defensive back
- a cornerback or safety on the defensive team; commonly defends against wide receivers on passing plays. Generally there are 4 defensive backs playing at a time; but see nickel back and dime back.
- defensive end
- a player position on defense
- defensive tackle
- a player position on defense
- defensive team
- the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball.
- dime back
- the second extra, or sixth total, defensive back. Named because a dime has the same value as two nickels.
- down
- one of a series of plays in which the offensive team must advance at least 10 yards or lose possession. First down is the first of the plays; fourth is the last down in American, and third in Canadian, football. A first down occurs after a change of posession of the ball, after advancing the ball 10 yards following a previous first down or after certain penalties.
- draw play
- a play in which the quarterback drops back as if to pass, then hands off to a running back or runs with the ball himself. Contrast with scramble
- drop kick
- a kick in which the ball is allowed to hit the ground before it is kicked. It was effectively used as a method of kicking field goals in the early history of football, but very rare today, although it is still legal.
E
- eligible receivers
- players who may legally catch a forward pass. At all levels of football, offensive players who line up at the ends of the line of scrimmage, plus backfield players except for the quarterback, are eligible. In the USA, quarterbacks are always eligible receivers at high school and college levels. In the NFL, a quarterback who takes a snap directly from center is NOT an eligible receiver, but a quarterback who takes an indirect snap (e.g. in a shotgun formation) is eligible. All defensive players are eligible receivers and once the ball is touched by an eligible receiver all players become eligible.
- end
- a player position, either on offense or defense
- end zone
- the area between the end line and the goal line bounded by the sidelines.
- extra point
- a single point scored in a conversion attempt by kicking the ball through the uprights.
F
- field of play
- the area of the field between the goal lines and bounded by the sidelines.
- flanker
- a player position on offense. A wide reciever who lines up 1 or more yards off the line of scrimmage. The flanker can line up either outside the tight end, outside the split end, or in the slot between the split end and the offensive linemen.
- flat
- an area on the field between the line of scrimmage and 10 yards into the defensive backfield, and within 15 yards of the sideline. Running backs often run pass routes to the flat when they are the safety valve reciever.
- formation
- the arrangement of players on the offensive team just prior to the beginning of a play.
- forward pass
- a pass with a trajectory that takes it closer to the opponent's goal.
- free kick
- a kick made to put the ball in play as a kickoff or following a safety (the score; "safety touch" in Canadian football) or fair catch.
- free safety
- a player position on defense. Free safeties typically play deep, or "center field", and often have the pass defense responsibility of assisting other defensive backs in deep coverage (compared to strong safeties, who usually have an assigned receiver and run support responsibilities).
- fullback
- a player position on offense. Originally, lined up deep behind the quarterback in the T formation. In modern formations this position may be varied, and this player has more blocking responsibilities in comparison to the running back or tailback.
- fumble
- a ball that a player accidentally lost possession of; in Canadian football the term includes muffs.
G
- goal
- a structure of two upright posts extending above a crossbar. The distance between uprights is 18 feet 6 inches, and the top of the crossbar is 10 feet above the ground.
- goal line
- the front of the end zone.
- gridiron
- a football field, so called for its markings.
- guard
- a player position on offense
H
- Hail Mary
- a long pass play, thrown towards a group or receivers near the end zone in hope of a touchdown. Used by a team that is behind as time is running out. Refers to the Catholic prayer.
- halfback
- a player position on offense, specifically in the T formation. Also known as a running back.
- hand-off
- the action of the quarterback giving the ball to a running back on a designed play.
- hash marks
- lines on the field between which plays from scrimmage begin.
- holder
- a player who holds the ball upright for a place kick.
- huddle
- an on-field gathering of members of a team in order to receive instructions for the upcoming play.
I
- I formation
- A formation that includes a fullback and tailback lined up with the fullback directly in front of the tailback. If a third back is in line, this is referred to as a "full house I". If the third back is lined up along side the fullback, it is referred to as a "Power I".
- incomplete pass
- a forward pass where no player is able to legally catch the ball.
- inbound lines
- the hash marks.
- interception
- a forward pass where an opposing player legally catches the ball
J
- jumbo
- an offensive formation which includes two tight ends, one on either side, plus a full back and running back in an i formation.
K
- kickoff
- a free kick which starts each half, or restarts the game following a touchdown or field goal. The kickoff may be a place kick in American or Canadian football, or a drop kick in American football.
- kick returner
- a player on the receiving team who specializes in fielding kicks and running them back.
L
- lateral
- a pass thrown to the side or backward.
- line of scrimmage
- vertical planes parallel to the goal line when the ball is to be put in play by scrimmage. For each team in American football, the line of scrimmage is thru the point of the ball closest to their end line. In Canadian football, the line of scrimmage of the defensive team is one yard their side of the ball.
- line to gain
- a line parallel to the goal lines, such that having the ball dead beyond it entitles the offense to a new series of downs, i.e. a new "first down". The line is 10 yards in advance of where the ball was to be snapped for the previous first down.
- linebacker
- a player position on defense
- lineman
- a defensive or offensive position played on the line of scrimmage.
- On offense, the player snapping the ball is the center. The players on either side of him are the guards, and the players to the outside of him are the tackles. The players on the end of the line are the ends. This may be varied in an unbalanced line.
- On defense, the outside linemen are ends, and those inside are tackles. If there are 5 or 6 linemen, the inner most linemen are known as guards. This is rare in professional football except for goal-line defense, but is sometimes seen in high school or college.
- live ball
- any ball that is in play, whether it is a player's possession or not. The ball is live during plays from scrimmage and free kicks, including kickoffs.
- long snapper
- a center who specializes in the long, accurate snaps required for punts and field goal attempts. Most teams employ a specialist long snapper instead of requiring the normal center to perform this duty.
- loose ball
- any ball that is in play and not in a player's possession. This includes a ball in flight during a lateral or forward pass.
M
- man coverage
- same as man-to-man coverage
- man-to-man coverage
- a defense in which all players in pass coverage, typically linebackers and defensive backs, cover a specific player. Pure man coverage is very rare; defenses typically mix man and zone coverage.
- muff
- a loose ball that is dropped or mishandled while the player is attempting to gain posession.
N
- neutral zone
- the region between the lines of scrimmage.
- nickel back
- an extra, or fifth, defensive back. Named after the coin, worth five cents.
- no-huddle offense
- A type of offensive strategy where the offense quickly gets to the line of scrimmage without huddling before the next play. Also called a hurry up offense.
- nose tackle
- the single defensive tackle position in a 3-4 defense. The nose tackle usually lines up across from the center.
O
- offensive team
- the team with possession of the ball
- offside
- an infraction of the rule that requires both teams to be on their own side of the line of scrimmage before a play starts. Offside is normally called on the defensive team. When the offensive team commits the infraction, it is called a false start.
- one back formation
- a formation where the offensive team has one running back in the backfield with the quarterback. Other eligible receivers are near the line of scrimmage.
- onside kick
- a play on a kickoff in which the kicking team tries to field its own kick. Generally, the kicking team tries to kick the ball just over 10 yards (the minimum legal kick). This is rarely successful, and is used near the end of the game when the kicking team must score once to win or tie the game.
P
- pass interference
- when a player illegally hinders an eligible receiver's opportunity to catch forward pass.
- placekicker
- a kicker who specializes in kickoffs or field goals (as opposed to punts)
- play
- prevent defense
- a defensive strategy that utilizes deep zone coverage in order to prevent a big pass play from happening downfield, usually at the expense of giving up yards at shorter distances. Often used against hail mary plays, or at the end of the game when the defending team is protecting a lead. Disparaged by many fans.
- pulling
- a term used to describe an offensive lineman who, instead of blocking the player in front of him, steps back and moves down the line("pulls") to block another player, usually in a "trap" or "sweep."
- punt
- a kick in which the ball is dropped and kicked before it reaches the ground. Used to give up the ball to the opposition after offensive downs have been used, as far down the field as possible.
- punter
- a kicker who specializes in punts as opposed to kickoffs or field goals.
Q
- quarterback
- an offensive player usually behind and close to a lineman, in position to take a hand-to-hand snap. May also play 5 to 8 yards deep in a shotgun formation. Typically responsible for directing the offensive plays on the field.
R
- red dog
- a blitz.
- reverse
- an offensive play in which a ballcarrier going toward one side of the field hands off to a teammate who is running in the opposite direction (if the second ballcarrier is an end, it is an "end around").
- run and shoot
- an offensive philosophy designed to force the defense to show its hand prior to the snap of the ball by splitting up receivers and sending them in motion.
- running back
- a player position on offense
- rush
- trying to tackle or hurry a quarterback before he can throw a pass.
S
- sack
- tackling the quarterback before he can get off a pass.
- safety
- a player position on defense -- see free safety and strong safety.
- a method of scoring (worth two points) by downing an opposing ballcarrier in his own end zone, forcing the opposing ballcarrier out of his own end zone AND out of bounds, or forcing the offensive team to fumble the ball so that it exits the end zone. A safety is also awarded if the offensive team commits a penalty within its own end zone. After a safety, the team that was scored upon must kick the ball to the scoring team from its own 20-yard line.
In college and high school football, a safety is also awarded if the team defending a conversion attempt gains possession of the ball (via a fumble, interception, or blocked kick) and runs it back into the scoring team's end zone. The defending team will earn two points. However, this type of safety will be followed by the regular kickoff that follows a touchdown.
- safety valve
- a receiver who gets a short pass because all other receivers are covered.
- scramble
- on a called passing play, when the quarterback runs from the pocket in an attempt to avoid being sacked, giving the receivers more time to get open or attempting to gain positive yards by running himself.
- screen pass
- a short forward pass to a receiver who has blockers in front of him. The receiver in this play is usually a running back or fullback, although wide receiver and tight end screens are sometimes employed.
- scrimmage
- see: play from scrimmage
- shooting
- the action of a linebacker or defensive back to blitz
- shotgun formation
- formation in which offensive team may line up at the start of a play. In this formation, the tailback receives the snap 5-8 yards behind the center.
- single wing
- a popular formation in the early years of football, with an overload to one side (the "wing") and one or two backs 5 or 6 yards deep to receive the snap. Largely obsolete with the introduction of the T and I formations, but still occasionally used in high school or college. The modern shotgun sometimes resurrects single-wing type plays.
- slot
- The area between a split end and the offensive line. If a wide reciever (flanker) is lined up in the slot at the snap of the ball, he may be called the slot reciever
- snap
- the handoff or pass from the center that begins a play from scrimmage.
- sneak
- an offensive play in which the quarterback, immediately on receiving the snap dives forward with the ball. The play is used when a team needs a very short gain to reach either the goal line or the line to gain.
- special teams
- the units that handle kickoffs, punts, free kicks and field goal attempts.
- split end
- a player position on offence. A wide reciever who lines up on the line of scrimmage, several yards ouside the offensive linemen.
- stiff-arm or straight-arm
- a ballcarrier warding off a would-be tackler by pushing them away with a straight arm.
- strong safety
- a player position on defense. This is a central defensive back; originally, the term indicated that he lined up on the strong side of the field. However, the modern usage of the term now indicates a central defensive back with responsibility for run and pass support, slightly favoring run support.
- strong side
- definition depends on the offensive formation. When a team uses one tight end, the strong side is the side of the field where the tight end lines up. If the offensive package uses no tight end, or more than one tight end, the strong side is the side of the field with the most offensive players on or just behind the line of scrimmage.
- stunt
- a tactic used by defensive players in which they switch roles in an attempt to get past the blockers. Frequently also referred to by the type of action the defensive players engage in, such as a "loop" or a "crossover".
T
- T-formation
- a classic offensive formation with the quarterback directly behind the center and three running backs behind the quarterback, forming a 'T'. Numerous variations have been developed including the split-T, wing-T, and wishbone-T.
- tackle
- the act of forcing a ball carrier to the ground
- a player position on the line, either an offensive tackle or a defensive tackle
- tailback
- player position on offense farthest ("deepest") back, except in kicking formations. Also often referred to as the running back, particularly in a one-back offense.
- tight end
- a player position on offense
- touchback
- the act of downing the ball behind one's own goal line after the ball had been propelled over the goal by the opposing team. After a touchback, the team that downed it gets the ball at their own 20-yard line.
- touchdown
- a play worth six points, accomplished by gaining legal possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone.
- trap
- a basic blocking pattern in which a defensive lineman is allowed past the line of scrimmage, only to be blocked at an angle by a "pulling" lineman. Designed to gain a preferred blocking angle and larger hole in the line.
- two-point conversion
- a play worth two points accomplished by gaining legal possession of the ball in the opponent's end zone after a touchdown has been made
U
V
W
- weak side
- when one tight end is used, the side of the field opposite the tight end. In other offensive packages, the side of the field with the fewest offensive players on or just behind the line of scrimmage.
- west coast offense
- an offensive philosophy that uses short, high-percentage passes as the core of a ball-control offense. Widely used but originally made popular by San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh. Usually features a one-back formation.
- wide receiver
- a player position on offense. He is split wide (usually about 10 yards) from the formation and plays on the line of scrimmage as a split end or one yard off as a flanker.
- wing back
- a player position in some offensive formations. Lines up just outside the tight end and one yard off the line of scrimmage. May be a receiver but is more typically used as a blocking back.
X
- X-receiver
- Term used in play calling that usually refers to the split end, or the wide receiver that lines up on the line of scrimmage. For example, "Split Right Jet 529 X Post" tells the X-receiver to run a post route.
Y
- Y-receiver
- Term usually used in offensive play calling to refer to the tight end. For example, "Buffalo Right 534 Boot Y Corner" tells the Y-receiver to run a corner route.
Z
- Z-receiver
- a term used in offensive play calling that usually refers to the flanker, or the wide receiver that lines up off the line of scrimmage. For example, "Panther Gun 85 Slant Z Go" tells the Z-receiver to run a go (also called a fly or streak) route.
- zone defense
- a defense in which players who are in pass coverage cover zones of the field, instead of individual players. Pure zone packages are seldom used; most defenses employ some combination of zone and man coverage. One recent variant, the zone blitz, combines a blitz with a zone package; in some situations, a linebacker will blitz and a lineman will drop into pass coverage.