Glossary

The American Football Conference (AFC) is one of the two conferences of the National Football League (NFL). This conference and its counterpart, the National Football Conference (NFC), currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.

A play where the defensive team sends players rushing towards the line of scrimmage as soon as the ball is snapped to try to sack the quarterback.

The act of preventing a defensive player from getting to the ball carrier; blockers use their arms and bodies but may not hold an opponent.

When a player hits or throws their body against the back of an opponent's leg—this illegal block is a personal foul, punishable by a 15-yard penalty.

Groups into which teams are divided in professional and college football; the NFL is divided into National (NFC) and American (AFC) Conferences.

In the NFL, sub-groups within conferences, such as the Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Divisions; also, a grouping of teams in college football, where Division I houses the largest schools/programs and Division III the smallest.

The offensive team has four (4) chances to gain 10 yards, each chance is called a "down." Additionally, if a player has been tackled and the ball has touched the ground—he is considered "down."

A player chosen by a professional sports team from a pool of college players in an annual draft. The order in which a team gets to choose a draft choice depends on their ranking from the previous season—typically the worse your team is, the earlier you get a draft choice (better players available).

The series of plays a team puts together in an attempt to score. See "Down" to learn how far the team needs to drive.

Refers to a player allowed by the rules to catch a forward pass—all offensive players are eligible except linemen and the quarterback, who must notify the referee if they wish to become eligible and stand at least one yard behind the line of scrimmage before the snap.

If a player (besides the center) is in the neutral zone and contact occurs prior to the snap; a foul punishable by a 5-yard penalty.

The area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines, which a team on offense tries to enter to score a touchdown.

When a kick returner decides only to catch a punt or kickoff and not advance it, protecting himself from being hit by an opponent—he signals for a fair catch by raising one hand in the air and waving it.

A pass thrown by a team closer to the opponent’s goal line—a team is allowed to throw only one forward pass per play, and it must be thrown from behind the team’s line of scrimmage.

A player whose contract with his most recent team has expired, allowing him to sign a new contract with any team that makes him an offer.

When a ball carrier loses possession by dropping the ball or having it knocked away before a play ends—the first player to regain possession of the loose ball is said to make the recovery, and his team becomes the offense.

For example, when the teams who has possession (offense) fumbles the ball and is recovered by the defense (opponent) then it is called a "Turnover."

A foul where a player impedes the movement of an opponent by grasping or hooking any part of his body or uniform. It is punishable by a penalty—10 yards if against the offense, 5 yards (10 yards in college) plus a first down if against the defense.

This is a forward pass that touches the ground before being caught.

A foul called against a quarterback who intentionally throws an incomplete forward pass (the ball away) solely to avoid a sack and cannot be intercepted by defense.

An imaginary line which no player may cross before the snap; each team has its own line of scrimmage, separated by the neutral zone.

The area that contains the ball as it sits on the ground before each play. Also the area between the two lines of scrimmage.

The National Football Conference (NFC) is one of the two conferences of the National Football League (NFL). This conference and its counterpart, the American Football Conference (AFC), currently contain 16 teams each, making up the 32 teams of the NFL.

When a defense brings in a 5th defensive back to replace a linebacker on the field, increasing its pass coverage.

When any part of a player’s body is beyond his line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped; a foul punishable by a 5-yard penalty.

Blocking by offensive players to keep defenders away from the quarterback on passing plays.

A passing play after the quarterback has faked a hand-off.

When a player 10 yards behind the center catches a snap, drops it and kicks it before it hits the ground—an opponent tries to catch and advance it the other way.

The imaginary area between the defense's 20-yard line and its goal line from which the offense is most likely to score points.

A running play; also, a pass rush.

A tackle of the quarterback behind his line of scrimmage.

When a ball carrier is tackled in his own end zone after bringing the ball there under his own power; the defense earns 2 points and receives a free kick from the offense’s own 20-yard line. Also a position for the Defense (See Positions)

A play when the Quarterback throws a short pass to a receiver who is protected by a "screen" of blockers.

When the center while facing forward quickly hands the ball between his legs to a player standing behind him (usually the quarterback) to start each play.

The championship game of the NFL, played between the champions of the AFC and NFC at a neutral site each January/February—it is the culmination of the NFL playoffs.

When the offense faces a third down and is more than a short running play away from a first down: usually third-and-5 or greater.

When a player who gains possession of a ball in his own end zone kneels to the ground and automatically starts the next play at his own 20-yard line. Also awarded if his opponent kicks the ball across the end line.

The involuntary loss of possession of the ball during a play, either by a fumble or by throwing an interception.

For example, when the offense makes a play and loses possession of the ball (by fumbling, having the ball stripped out of their hands, caught by defense, etc.) then the ball is "turned-over" to the other team—therefore, a Quarterback that is having a large number of turnovers in a game is bad.

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 a touchdown.

A team that makes the NFL playoffs by having one of the 2 best records among non-division winners in its conference.