Entertainment / Football Glossary

Sticks: The pole attached to the end of the 10-yard chain that is used by the chain crew to measure for a new series of downs — i.e. The line to gain a new 'first down'.

Stiff-Arm: A ballcarrier warding off a would-be tackler by pushing them away with a straight arm.

Straight-Arm: A ballcarrier warding off a would-be tackler by pushing them away with a straight arm.

Strong I: A formation wherein the tailback is lined up deep directly behind the quarterback, and the fullback is lined up offset to the strong side of the formation.

Strong Safety (SS): A kind of safety on defense, as opposed to a free safety. This is a central defensive back; originally, the term indicated that he lined up on the strong side of the field and covered the ti . . . View Full Definition

Strong Side: Simplistically speaking, the side of the field (left or right) that has the most players, but it depends on the formations of the teams. When a team uses one tight end, the strong side is th . . . View Full Definition

Stuff: A tackle of a ball carrier on a running play, behind the line of scrimmage. Compare to sack.

Stunt: A tactic used by defensive linemen in which they switch roles in an attempt to get past the blockers. Both defenders will start with power rushes, with the stunting defender getting more of . . . View Full Definition

Succeeding Spot: Where the next play would start if no penalty was called.

Super Bowl: The championship game of the NFL, played between the champions of the AFC and NFC at a neutral site each January; it is the culmination of the NFL playoffs.

Sweep: A running play in which several blockers lead a running back on a designed play to the outside. Depending on the number of blockers and the design of the play this is sometimes referred to a . . . View Full Definition

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 . . . View Full Definition

Tackle: A player position on both the offensive and defensive lines; there is usually a left and right offensive tackle, and a left and right defensive tackle.

Tackle Box: The area between where the two offensive tackles line up prior to the snap.

Tackle Eligible: A lineman that lines himself up in the position of an eligible receiver.

Tackling: Contacting a ball carrier to cause him to touch the ground with any part of his body except his hands, thereby ending the play.

Tailback (TB): 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.

Take A Knee: A low risk play in which the player in possession of the ball kneels down after receiving the snap, ending the play. Used to run out the clock. (Also called 'take a knee'.) Most commonly, th . . . View Full Definition

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