carry to run with the ball.
center in the offensive line, the center player who snaps the ball to the quarterback to start play.
chain gang see box-and-chain crew.
chicken-fight a series of standing blocks made in quick succession against an opponent to keep him away from the quarterback.
chuck to intentionally bump the receiver as he begins his run from the line of scrimmage.
circle pattern a circular pattern run by a receiver to elude a defender.
circus catch any acrobatic or spectacular catch.
cleats football shoes with projections for traction on the soles. Also, the projections themselves.
clipping illegally hitting an opponent without the ball from behind, a foul resulting in a 15-yard penalty.
clothesline to tackle by swinging an arm stiffly into an opponent's head or neck, a foul resulting in a 15- yard penalty.
color commentator a radio or TV sports announcer who analyzes the plays and discusses and criticizes strategy.
comeback a play in which the receiver runs a straight pattern, then turns abruptly back toward the quarterback for a pass.
completion a completed forward pass.
conversion to kick the ball through the goalposts for one extra point after a touchdown.
corner short for cornerback.
cornerback one of two defensive backs positioned at the outside end positions to cover sweep runners and wide receivers for passes.
corner blitz a blitz on the quarterback by one or both cornerbacks.
cross pattern a pass pattern in which two wide receivers run downfield along opposite sidelines, then turn and cross paths.
cut to change direction abruptly.
decline a penalty the option of an offended team to refuse a penalty award when it is not advantageous.
defensive back a cornerback, safety, or other player positioned behind the linebackers who defends against passes and running plays.
defensive end one of two defensive players positioned on the end of the line of scrimmage who rushes the quarterback or defends against sweep plays.
defensive tackle one of two players positioned next to, and inside of, a defensive end on the line of scrimmage.
defensive unit players who specialize in defense.
delay of game an infraction resulting in a 5-yard penalty.
dime defense a defense using six backs.
doping taking illegal substances, such as steroids, to boost performance.
double reverse a play in which a back hands the ball off to a teammate running in the opposite direction, who in turn hands off to another teammate running in the original direction.
down the point when play is stopped or the ball is declared dead. Also, one of four chances to advance the ball 10 yards with each possession.
draw play a play in which the quarterback backpedals as if to pass and thereby draws a rush by the defense, but instead hands off to a back who runs through the gap left open by the rushing defenders.
drive a series of play advancing a team downfield.
duck a slow-floating pass that is easy to intercept. Also known as a dying quail.
eat the ball of a quarterback, to let himself be tackled in a play than risk being intercepted by defenders who are covering the receivers closely.
eligible receivers the six players on the offensive team that are eligible to receive a forward pass, specifically the backs and the two ends.
encroachment having a part of one's body over the line of scrimmage just prior to the snap, an infraction resulting in a 5-yard penalty.
end run a play in which the ballcarrier runs around one end of the line.
ends the two players positioned at either end of the line of scrimmage.
end zone the goal zone at either end of the field.
extra point after a touchdown, one extra point added for successfully kicking the ball through the goalposts.
face mask a bird cage. Also, an infraction in which an opponent is grabbed or tackled by the face mask, a 5- to 15-yard penalty.
fair catch a signal to the officials that the ball receiver wishes to catch the ball without being tackled and is therefore marking the ball down without advancing it.
field goal three points scored by kicking the ball through the goalposts.
first and 10 first down and 10 yards to go to reach another first down.
flag a diagonal pass pattern in which the receiver runs downfield and cuts diagonally toward a corner of the end zone. Also, the flag thrown by an official to signal an infraction.
flak jacket a padded, rib-protecting jacket worn like a vest.
flanker flare a short flip pass to a back still in the backfield and moving toward the sideline.
flea-flicker a lateral or a handoff followed by a surprise pass. Also, a pass followed by a lateral.
fly pattern a pass pattern in which the intended receiver runs at top speed straight downfield.
formation the alignment of the defense or offense at the line of scrimmage.
free safety a defensive back positioned well behind the line of scrimmage, who is responsible for covering midfield for running plays or passes but who is "free" to assist other defenders in covering receivers.
front line the players aligned along the line of scrimmage.
fullback an offensive back who plays behind the quarterback and blocks or carries the ball on hand- offs. A powerful but relatively slow-moving running back.
fumble to drop the ball.
gang tackle to tackle the ballcarrier with more than one tackler.
goal line the line marking the beginning of the end zone, over which the ball must be carried or passed to a teammate for a touchdown.
goalposts the U-shaped upright standing on either endzone through which goals are kicked.
gridiron a football field.
ground the ball to intentionally throw the ball to the ground or out of bounds to avoid being tackled for a loss of yardage behind the line of scrimmage, an infraction resulting in a 10-yard penalty and a loss of a down.
guards the two offensive linemen who flank the center and block.
Hail Mary a long pass, usually into the end zone, that requires "divine intervention" to be completed. Also known as Big Ben. To make a Hail Mary is known as "throwing up a prayer."
halfback the offensive player positioned in the backfield who acts as a receiver or ballcarrier, more commonly known as a running back.
hang time the elapsed time a kicked or thrown ball is suspended in the air.
hike a command to snap the ball to begin play.
hitch a pass pattern in which the receiver runs downfield, then cuts abruptly to the outside for a pass.
hitch and go a pass pattern in which a receiver fakes a hitch, then continues straight downfield for a pass.
huddle the huddling together or meeting of players in which plays are planned between downs.
I formation an offensive formation in which the tailback, halfback, and fullback form a line behind the quarterback.
illegal motion illegal motion of a player set on the line of scrimmage just prior to the snap.