Descriptionary

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.

incompletion a pass not caught.

ineligible receiver a player not permitted to catch a forward pass.

interception a passed ball intended for an offensive receiver but caught by the defense, resulting in an automatic exchange of possession.

kicking team a team's members who specialize in executing punts, field goals, and extra points.

late hit tackling or running into an opponent after the ball has been whistled dead, an infraction result­ing in a 15-yard penalty.

lateral a pass thrown underhanded or overhanded in a backwards or sideways direction.

leg whip to intentionally use one's legs after falling to trip up an opponent.

linebackers the defensive players positioned just behind the line who back up the defensive linemen.

line judge the official who keeps time and watches for encroachment, offsides, and illegal motion at the line of scrimmage.

lineman a player positioned on the line of scrimmage.