Entertainment / Football Glossary

Option Run: Usually, a type of play in which the quarterback has the option of handing off, keeping, or laterally passing to one or more backs. Often described by a type of formation or play action, suc . . . View Full Definition

Out Of Bounds: The region of the field touching or outside the sidelines and end lines; as soon as a ball carrier or the ball itself touches out of bounds, the play is over.

Outside: Opposite of inside

Package: The group of players on the field for a given play. For example, the Nickel Package substitutes a cornerback for either a linebacker or a defensive lineman (the latter is referred to as a 3- . . . View Full Definition

Pancake: A particularly hard block that leaves the blocked player lying flat on the field. This statistic is not recorded in NFL, but in NFL computer games, they are the statistics used to determine . . . View Full Definition

Pass Defender: A defensive player who covers an opposing receiver.

Pass Interference: When a player illegally hinders an eligible receiver's opportunity to catch forward pass.

Pass Patterns: Pre-determined paths receivers follow to help the passer quickly locate them so he can more easily get them the ball.

Pass Protection: The use of blocking by the offensive line and backs to allow the quarterback time and space to throw the ball.

Pass Routes: Pre-determined paths receivers follow to help the passer quickly locate them so he can more easily get them the ball.

Pass Rush: A surge by defenders to get past blockers and sack the quarterback.

Passer Rating: (also quarterback rating) a numeric value used to measure of the performance of quarterbacks. It was formulated in 1973 and it uses the player's completion percentage, passing yards, touchdo . . . View Full Definition

Passing Play: A play in which a forward pass is made.

Pat: Point After Touchdown.

Personal Foul: A foul that might cause injury; punishable by a 15-yard penalty.

Pick: Use of one player to block a second player. Also used to describe an interception of a pass, e.g. A pass by the offense can be 'picked off' by the defense. A 'pick 6' is a nickname for an in . . . View Full Definition

Picked Off: Intercepted.

Pistol Formation: A hybrid version of the shotgun in which the quarterback lines up about 3 yards behind the center and the running back lines up directly behind the quarterback.

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