Entertainment / Football Glossary

2-Point Conversion: When a team that just scored a touchdown starts a play at the opponent’s 2-yard line (3-yard line in college) and crosses the goal line to earn 2 points; when successful, it looks just like . . . View Full Definition

3-3-5 Defense: A variation of the Nickel formation with 3 linemen (2 De & 1 DT), 3 linebackers (2 OLB & 1 MLB), and 5 defensive backs (3 CB, 1 SS & 1 FS). Often called a 3-3 stack. Also called the 'Rule Br . . . View Full Definition

3-4 Defense: A defensive formation with 3 linemen and 4 linebackers. A professional derivative in the 1970s of the earlier Oklahoma or '50' defense, which had 5 linemen and 2 linebackers. The 3-4 outside . . . View Full Definition

4-3 Defense: A defensive formation with 4 linemen and 3 linebackers. Several variations are employed. First used by coach Joe Kuharich[citation needed] and Tom Landry.[1][2]

4-4-4 Defense: Illegal participation (name so derived from the fact that 4+4+4=12 men on the field; each team is limited to 11). Coined by coach and color commentator John Madden.

46 Defense: (pronounced forty-six defense) a formation of the 4-3 defense (four linemen and three linebackers) in which three defensive backs (the two cornerbacks and the strong safety) crowd the line o . . . View Full Definition

50 Defense: A once popular college defense with 5 defensive linemen and 2 linebackers. Also known as the 'Oklahoma Defense,' it is structurally very similar to the 3-4. In the 50-defense, the team uses . . . View Full Definition

A-11 Offense: An offensive philosophy designed to appear as if all 11 players are eligible receivers. The offense exploits a loophole in the American football rulebook to technically make the formation a . . . View Full Definition

Air Raid: An offensive philosophy derived from the West Coast Offense but adapted to the shotgun formation. In this offense the running game is heavily de-emphasized while the quick pass, medium pass, . . . View Full Definition

Air Yards: The yards gained by a pass through the air. It is the distance gained by a pass forward of the line of scrimmage to the spot of the reception. Alternatively, it is the total passing yards mi . . . View Full Definition

All-Purpose Yardage: The sum of all yards gained by a player who is in possession of the ball during a play. This includes rushing and receiving yards gained on offense, yards gained on returns of interceptions . . . View Full Definition

Astroturf: An artificial surface used instead of grass on many football fields.

Audible: A play called by the quarterback at the line of scrimmage to make a change from the play that was called in the huddle.

Automatic First Down: For several of the most severe fouls against the defensive team, a first down is awarded to the offensive team even if the result of the penalty does not advance the ball beyond the line to . . . View Full Definition

Back: A position behind the offensive and defensive linemen. Offensively, mostly used for running plays: Running back, Tailback, Quarterbacks, Halfback, Fullbacks and Wingback. Defensively, genera . . . View Full Definition

Backfield: The area behind the line of scrimmage.

Backs: The running backs; the halfback and the fullback.

Backup: A second string player who does not start the game, but comes in later in relief of a starter.

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