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.

Backward Pass: A pass thrown to the side or backward. Also called 'onside pass' in Canadian football. There is no limit to the number of backward passes or where they may be thrown from. Sometimes incorrec . . . View Full Definition

Ball Carrier: Any player who has possession of the ball.

Ball Security: The ability of a player to maintain control over the football during play and thus avoid a fumble.

Ballcarrier: Any player who attempts to advance the ball during a rushing play, or any player in possession of the ball and attempting to advance it on the ground.

Beat: When a player gets past an opponent trying to block or tackle him.

Blackout: When a regional network TV affiliate is forbidden from showing a local game because it is not sold out.

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. However, in the 3-4 . . . View Full Definition

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