war daddy

The phrase may have originated with Harold T. White, a coach at Mississippi's Perkinston Junior College in the 1950s.

(slang, American football, US) A player with extraordinary ability and exceptional toughness.


incompletion

en-noun

incompletion (countable and uncountable, plural incompletions)

From in- + completion or incomplete + -ion

Their strong defense forced three incompletions from the other team.

(countable, American football) A forward pass which is not caught inbounds by the intended receiver.


look off

en-verb

look off (third-person singular simple present looks off, present participle looking off, simple past and past participle looked off)

looks off (present singular third-person)
looking off (participle present)
looked off (participle past)
looked off (past)

I went back to pass, tried to look off the safety, turned and fired it out to Jack. It didn't work. The safety closed on the ball and knocked it down.

2004, Danny Wuerffel with Steve Spurrier and Mike Bianchi, Danny Wuerffel's Tales from the Gator Swamp, page 24:

(transitive, idiomatic, American football) To mislead by directing one's apparent attention away from one's true object of intent.

(intransitive, American football) To look in a way different than the intended direction of play in order to confuse the opposing team.


midmajor

midmajors (plural)
mid-major (alternative)

(American football) A college not affiliated with a conference that is one of the primary partners in the College Football Playoff


kickoff returner

en-noun

kickoff returner (plural kickoff returners)

(American football) A player on the receiving side whose primary job is to catch the football during a kickoff and carry the ball.


punt returner

(American football) A player on the receiving team whose primary job is to catch the football during a punt and carry the ball.


NFLer

(American football) Someone who plays in the NFL.


buttonhook

Yet the Bears never set up the deep patterns with a turn-in or a buttonhook[…]

1988 January 15, Ted Cox, “The Sports Section”, in Chicago Reader:

(American football) A play in which the receiver runs straight downfield, then turns back toward the line of scrimmage.


buttonhook

en-verb

buttonhook (third-person singular simple present buttonhooks, present participle buttonhooking, simple past and past participle buttonhooked)

buttonhooks (present singular third-person)
buttonhooking (participle present)
buttonhooked (participle past)
buttonhooked (past)

(American football) To perform the buttonhook play.


special team

(American football) A group of football players with special assignments for plays other than standard offensive and defensive plays, such as those involving kicking.


strongside

Bradley might push for playing time right away at the strongside linebacker spot.

2007 May 27, The Associated Press, “For a Rookie Linebacker, It’s Like Going to Work”, in New York Times:

(American football) Of or pertaining to the strongside linebacker position, which typically lines up across from the tight end


linebacking

“He has the ability to play all three linebacking positions and we’re happy to add him to our defense.”

2007 March 27, The Associated Press, “Eagles Boost Defense With Deal for Spikes”, in New York Times:

(American football) Playing as a linebacker


outrush

outrush (third-person singular simple present outrushes, present participle outrushing, simple past and past participle outrushed)

outrushes (present singular third-person)
outrushing (participle present)
outrushed (participle past)
outrushed (past)

[…] the Colts outrushed the Patriots, 93-8, in the second half.

2007 November 2, Judy Battista, “Blame the Colts for the New-Look Patriots”, in New York Times:

(American football, transitive) To rush more than the other team.


crackback

Mike Pereira, the league’s director of officiating, said Wade did not commit an illegal crackback block because he was blocking upfield and not back toward the ball.

2007 January 3, The Associated Press, “Saban Needs More Time to Mull Alabama Offer”, in New York Times:

(American football) A block in which the blocker, positioned wide, blocks back towards where the ball was snapped.


Statue of Liberty

(American football) A Statue of Liberty play, which involves a fake in which the quarterback assumes a pose like that of the statue.


look-in

(American football) A quick short pass to a receiver running diagonally toward the center of the field.


run for the roses

en-noun

run for the roses (plural runs for the roses)

Looking back at Ohio State's run for the roses, there might be some who will insist the Buckeyes were lucky to escape defeat at least once. . . . the Buckeyes whipped a jinx in the form of premature Rose Bowl talk.

1954, Lloyd Larson, "Ohio Comes Through Like Real Champ," Milwaukee Sentinel, 23 Nov., part 2, p. 2 (retrieved 24 Aug. 2009)

(idiomatic, American football) A college football game or series of games played with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the championship Rose Bowl game.


slotback

(American football) A particular position in American football, often a running back who lines up near the line of scrimmage and can function as a wide receiver.


pick six

pick sixes (plural)
pick-six (alternative)

(American football, slang) An interception by the defense that is run back the other way for a touchdown.


ballhawk

(American football, basketball) A player who is particularly good at catching interceptions.


intentional grounding

intentional grounding (plural intentional groundings)

(American football) An instance when the quarterback throws the ball into the ground or into the crowds to avoid being sacked and losing field position.


jump cut

jump cuts (plural)
jump-cut (alternative)
jumpcut (alternative)

“The advantage of a guy being his size and having quick feet, it’s unexpected,” said Marcel Shipp, the running backs coach. “Guys come in thinking he’s a big, bruising back. Then he’ll hit a jump cut on you and head down the sideline.”

2015 October 24, Ben Shpigel, “Chris Ivory, a Bulldozing Ballet Dancer, Keeps Defenders on Their Toes”, in The New York Times:

(American football) A sudden switch from running forward to running to the side.


defensive back

(American football, Canadian football) Collective term for the defensive players who are in position farthest from the ball at the start of a play and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes. Includes cornerbacks and safeties in both codes, and defensive halfbacks in the Canadian game.


tee up

en-verb

tee up (third-person singular simple present tees up, present participle teeing up, simple past and past participle teed up)

tees up (present singular third-person)
teeing up (participle present)
teed up (participle past)
teed up (past)

(American football) To place the ball on a tee, ready for kickoff.


shoestring tackle

en-noun

shoestring tackle (plural shoestring tackles)

(American football) A tackle made about the feet or ankles.


PAT

PAT (countable and uncountable, plural PATs)

(American football) Initialism of point after touchdown. (extra point)


presnap

(American football) Before the snap (passing of the football from the center to a back).


postsnap

(American football) After the snap (passing of the football from the center to a back).


touch football

(American football) A variant of American football in which players are touched as opposed to tackled.


end line

(sports, American football, hurling, Gaelic football) In various goal-based sports, the boundary line, running across the goal.

hurling; Gaelic football; hurling; Gaelic football


chip shot

chip shots (plural)
chip-shot (alternative)
chipshot (alternative)

When Ludwig Millfors lined up for a 19-yard chip shot of a field goal with three seconds left in the game, NDSU—and its 13,637 homecoming fans—had reason to feel comfortable.

1992 Oct. 11, "College Football Chip Shot Goes Wide in 2-point Bison Loss, Grand Forks Herald (USA), p. 3D (retrieved 17 Oct 2011)

A 20-yard run by quarterback Kade Harrington put them in Glander's range, and the senior kicker booted a chip-shot 30-yard field goal with 11 seconds left.

2011 October 15, Stephen Whitfield, “Kingwood beats Atascocita on last-second field goal”, in yourhoustonnews.com, USA, retrieved 2011-10-17:

(American football) A relatively easy field goal, made from a short distance.


tap-tackle

tap-tackles (plural)
tap tackle (alternative)

France's own stand-in stand-off Trinh-Duc missed with a drop-goal when well set but then set off on a curving run through a scattered defensive line which carried him deep into enemy territory until Weepu's desperate tap-tackle finally brought him down.

2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport:

(rugby, American football) A tackle made from behind the running ball-carrier, where the tackler dives to touch the player's ankle and trips him up.


tap-tackle

en-verb

tap-tackle (third-person singular simple present tap-tackles, present participle tap-tackling, simple past and past participle tap-tackled)

tap-tackles (present singular third-person)
tap-tackling (participle present)
tap-tackled (participle past)
tap-tackled (past)
tap tackle (alternative)

Farrell drilled home a 46-metre penalty and should have had another when Pollard, attempting to jink his way out of defence, was tap-tackled by Anthony Watson and penalised for not releasing.

2019 November 2, Robert Kitson, “Rugby World Cup: South Africa surge to glory as England fall short”, in The Observer:

(rugby, American football) to tackle with a tap-tackle


sideline cut

In the sideline-and-up pass, both the receiver and the passer are faking the sideline cut.

1958, Donald E. Fuoss, Quarterback generalship and strategy, page 96:

Here, the receiver combines the sideline-flag pattern with a second sideline cut.

1993, Bud Wilkinson, Football: Winning Offense, →ISBN, page 68:

The l, 2, and 4 players run picks; the picks are set to free up the 1 player for a sideline cut.

2006, Jill Prudden, Coaching Girls' Basketball Successfully, →ISBN, page 123:

The second passing option for O5 presents itself when O1 is unable to get open on the sideline cut.

2013, Winning Basketball Fundamentals, →ISBN, page 237:

(American football, basketball) A sudden change of direction and run for the sideline.


game manager

He was a "game manager" who threw five interceptions on the season, a steady, if unspectacular, player surrounded by a solid team.

(American football) A quarterback who makes a minimum number of mistakes on a team that relies on its defense and rushing offense to win games.


take a knee

take a knee (third-person singular simple present takes a knee, present participle taking a knee, simple past took a knee, past participle taken a knee)

takes a knee (present singular third-person)
taking a knee (participle present)
took a knee (past)
taken a knee (participle past)
take the knee (alternative)

The N.F.L. estimates that number could rise to 30 percent, but special-teams coaches say at least 40 percent of kickoffs will end with the returner taking a knee in the end zone.

2011 August 6, Judy Battista, “Take a Knee or Take a Risk”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

(American football, Canadian football) Of any player with the ball, to kneel and place the ball on the ground, thereby ending the play and indicating they do not intend to advance with the ball.


NFC

Initialism
* (unicode): in the Unicode sense, a compound of NF (“Normalization Form”) + C (“Canonical Decomposition, followed by Canonical Composition”).

compound

National Football Conference
w:National Football Conference

(American football) Initialism of National Football Conference.


red dog

en-noun

red dog (countable and uncountable, plural red dogs)

(countable, US, American football) A blitz.


red dog

en-verb

red dog (third-person singular simple present red dogs, present participle red dogging, simple past and past participle red dogged)

red dogs (present singular third-person)
red dogging (participle present)
red dogged (participle past)
red dogged (past)


AAF

Alliance of American Football
w:Alliance of American Football

(American football) Initialism of Alliance of American Football.


fumblerooski

From fumble + -roo (as in switcheroo) + -ski?

(American football) A trick play wherein the quarterback deliberately places or leaves the ball on the ground upon receiving it from the center, technically fumbling it, after which the backs run to the right, deceiving the defense into following them, while the right guard picks up the ball and runs to the left.


trick play

en-noun

trick play (countable and uncountable, plural trick plays)

(American football) A play in American football that uses deception and unorthodox strategies to fool the opposing team.


three-and-out

(American football) The situation where a team is forced to punt the football without having made any first downs.


(American football) Initialism of first down.


flea flicker

(American football) A trick offensive play in which the quarterback laterals the ball to the running back, who then runs a short distance, then laterals the ball back to the quarterback.


take it to the house

en-verb

take it to the house (third-person singular simple present takes it to the house, present participle taking it to the house, simple past took it to the house, past participle taken it to the house)

takes it to the house (present singular third-person)
taking it to the house (participle present)
took it to the house (past)
taken it to the house (participle past)

(American football) To score a touchdown, especially after a long run.


G-men

(US, American football) A nickname of the New York Giants football team.


hash mark

hash marks (plural)
hashmark (alternative)


West Coast offense

en-noun

West Coast offense (plural West Coast offenses)

(American football) An offense that places a greater emphasis on passing than on running.


long game

[T]he Seahawks held Newton to 119 passing yards, as the Panthers kept mainly to the ground and Seattle's secondary shut down the long game.

2013 September 8, “What we saw: Seahawks 12, at Panthers 7”, in Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2014-07-11:

(American football) The aspect of the game in which the strategy is to advance downfield by throwing the ball to a receiving player; the passing game.


feature back

Colton Hansel was the Spartans’ feature back and netted 38 yards on 16 carries.

2014, Linder, Jeff, "Xavier’s district debut is a dandy," Cedar Rapids Gazette, September 13, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20160311181713/http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/xaviers-district-debut-is-a-dandy-20140912

(US, American football) In American football, a back – usually a running back – that gets the most carries and most yardage in a game.


playcalling

(American football) The communication between coach and players of the plays to be used during a game.


play-action pass

play-action pass (plural play-action passes)

(American football) A certain kind of play; see Wikipedia article for details.


flying wedge

(aviation, American football) A formation in which a group travels so that its components form a triangular shape.


Hail Mary pass

Hail Mary pass (plural Hail Mary passes)

From Hail Mary, a prayer for intercession, from Latin Ave Maria, plus pass (“moving the ball from one player to another”). Attested from the 1970s in the context of American football.

With 11:04 left in the game, and a comfortable 38–14 lead, Smith heaved a 62-yard, Hail Mary pass to Carter.

1983, “A Run for the Roses”, in Michigan Ensian, page 120:

Maybe I should just toss up a “Hail Mary” pass deep into their territory, as though I was saying a prayer that one of our players would catch it.

1990, Michael Teitelbaum, Play Book! Football, →OCLC, page 35:

The black sky emptied as about 50,000 rain-soaked University of Colorado football fans exhaled in improbable joy at Folsom Field. This was after the Hail Mary pass caught as time expired, after the game-clinching fumble that squirted out of the end zone in overtime.

2024 October 4, John Branch, “What Does College Football Have to Do With College?”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:

(American football) A long forward pass with little chance of completion, typically used by the losing team when time is running out and no other play is practical, in a desperate attempt to score the winning points.

Hail Mary

American football: pass with little chance of completion


win one for the Gipper

en-verb

win one for the Gipper (third-person singular simple present wins one for the Gipper, present participle winning one for the Gipper, simple past and past participle won one for the Gipper)

wins one for the Gipper (present singular third-person)
winning one for the Gipper (participle present)
won one for the Gipper (participle past)
won one for the Gipper (past)

Attributed to Knute Rockne, coach of the Notre Dame football team, during a 1928 American football game between Notre Dame and the Army. During a half-time talk to his team, who were losing the game, he encouraged the team with the death-bed speech of former player George "The Gipper" Gipp:
: "I've got to go, Rock. It's all right. I'm not afraid. Some time, Rock, when the team is up against it, when things are wrong and the breaks are beating the boys, ask them to go in there with all they've got and win just one for the Gipper. I don't know where I'll be then, Rock. But I'll know about it, and I'll be happy."
Popularized by the 1940 film Knute Rockne, All American, which starred future President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, as George Gipp.

(idiomatic, American football) To do something in memory of another person.


under center

Bill O’Brien’s quarterback preferences aren’t quite as clear, and the Texans don’t have an obvious solution under center, but he’s also exhibited an interest in big-armed mediocrities.

2014, Bill Barnwell, What’s Next for RG3? Breaking Down 10 Possible Destinations:

(American football) Playing at the quarterback position.

(American football) (Of the quarterback) initiating play from immediately behind the center.


Selection Sunday

en-noun

Selection Sunday (plural Selection Sundays)

(US, American football) The Sunday in December on which the college teams that participate in major bowl games are announced.


bowl game

From Rose Bowl Game, played in the Rose Bowl stadium, in turn named for the bowl-shaped Yale Bowl.

(US, American football) A postseason college football competition.

Rose Bowl (stadium)
Rose Bowl Game
Yale Bowl


I formation

From the vertical (as viewed from the opposing endzone) alignment of quarterback, fullback, and running back, particularly when contrasted with the same players' alignments in the T formation.

(American football) A common offensive formation, beginning with the usual five offensive linemen (two offensive tackles, two guards, and a center), the quarterback under center, and two backs in-line behind the quarterback. The base variant adds a tight end to one side of the line and two wide receivers, one at each end of the line.


go deep

en-verb

go deep (third-person singular simple present goes deep, present participle going deep, simple past went deep, past participle gone deep)

goes deep (present singular third-person)
going deep (participle present)
went deep (past)
gone deep (participle past)

On this play, we're going to fake a short pass but go deep to Kelly or Chris.

(American football, Canadian football) To throw a long pass attempt or to get in position to catch one.


run deep

run deep (third-person singular simple present runs deep, present participle running deep, simple past ran deep, past participle run deep)

runs deep (present singular third-person)
running deep (participle present)
ran deep (past)
run deep (participle past)

(American football, Canadian football) Synonym of go deep


punt-out

(American football) A punt made from the goal line by a player of the side which has made a touchdown to one of his own side for a fair catch, from which an attempt to kick a goal may be made.


man in motion

(American football) A single player on offense (always a backfielder) who is moving backwards or parallel to the line of scrimmage at the snap.


piling on

A fighting tactic wherein multiple people attack another.

(American football) An illegal strategy wherein players tackle an opposing player.


move the chains

move the chains (third-person singular simple present moves the chains, present participle moving the chains, simple past and past participle moved the chains)

moves the chains (present singular third-person)
moving the chains (participle present)
moved the chains (participle past)
moved the chains (past)

(American football) To alter the position of the device, a chain holding two sticks ten yards apart, used to initially determine the position of the line crossing which yields a first down for the offense, which may be moved by penalties or by the offense gaining a first down.

(American football, by extension) To convert a play that would result in said chains being moved.


triple option

(American football) A formation that allows the quarterback to pass the ball or to give the ball to the fullback or to one of two running backs.


nickelback

nickelbacks (plural)
nickel back (alternative)

Blend of nickel + cornerback. Modelled on quarterback: both the quarter (“25 cents”) and the nickel (“5 cents”) are American coins, though quarterback was not named for the coin. Coined due to the nickelback's role as the fifth defensive back on the field, thus the connection to the 5-cent nickel.

(American football) A fifth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks and two safeties) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.


dimeback

dimebacks (plural)
dime back (alternative)

Blend of dime + cornerback. Modelled on quarterback: both the quarter (“25 cents”) and the dime (“10 cents”) are American coins, though quarterback was not named for the coin. Coined due to the dimeback being one additional defensive back more than the nickelback, since the 10-cent dime is more than the 5-cent nickel. See more at nickelback.

(American football) A sixth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks, two safeties and a nickelback) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.


Power Five

(American football, dated) The five college football conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC) that traditionally contain the strongest programs, and whose champions are guaranteed berths in one of the six bowl games associated with the College Football Playoff.


special teamer

(American football) A member of a special team.


upback

But long snapper Steve Schmidt hit upback Bryan Crawford with the snap and Jason Arakgi recovered for the Lions at the Argo eight.

2009 September 20, Chris Zelkovich, “Disastrous start too much for Argos”, in Toronto Star:

(American football) A blocking back who lines up approximately 1-3 yards behind the line of scrimmage in punting situations.


INT

en-noun

INT (countable and uncountable, plural INTs)

His near-perfect stat line (25 of 30 passing, 235 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) could have improved if Jamal Agnew had not dropped a would-be touchdown on a deep crossing route late in the second quarter, but here’s a guess that Jacksonville won’t quibble about it.

2022 September 18, Derrik Klassen, “What We Learned From Week 2 of the N.F.L. Season”, in The New York Times:

(American football) Abbreviation of interception.


behind center

(American football) At the quarterback position.


Lombardi

Lombardi. ¶ Walsh. ¶ Shanahan. ¶ Steve from West Valley? ¶ The world is about to find out whether regular fans can take their place alongside the greatest offensive minds in the annals of professional football.

2017 February 14, Jason Chilton, “Salt Lake Screaming Eagles prepare to test their fan-run franchise model in debut game”, in Sports Illustrated:

If coming second is coming nowhere, as all sports-people tend to to be taught (remember the words of Mr Lombardi), then this is most true in those individual sports where careers tend to be brief, and opportunities to win fewest.

1998 June 4, “Superhuman heroes”, in The Economist:

National Football League
National Football League

(American football) used specifically of Vince Lombardi (1913–1970), best known as the head coach of the National Football League's Green Bay Packers.

Looking specifically at the Patriots, […]. They've never had to win three playoff games to play for the Lombardi, showcasing the importance of home-field advantage.

2019 February 3, Corbin Smith, “3 Ways Seahawks Can Reach Super Bowl LIV”, in Sports Illustrated:

The Dolphins are the organization of 17-0. Of Don Shula. Of Dan Marino. It's a franchise with two Lombardi trophies and one that made 21 postseason appearances between 1970 and 2001.

2015 October 6, DJ Gallo, “How the Dolphins went from marquee name to the NFL's sunniest garbage heap”, in The Guardian:

(American football) A trophy awarded each year to the winning team of the National Football League's championship game, named in honor of Vince Lombardi.


blitzer

The Bills disguised their coverage to make the Jets think they were sending a blitzer from Brandon Marshall’s side of the field.

2015 November 13, Ben Shpigel, “For Once, Rex Ryan Enjoys a Jets Fiasco”, in New York Times:

(American football) One engaging in a blitz.


call someone's number

en-verb

call someone's number (third-person singular simple present calls someone's number, present participle calling someone's number, simple past and past participle called someone's number)

calls someone's number (present singular third-person)
calling someone's number (participle present)
called someone's number (participle past)
called someone's number (past)

So on the first play, I asked the quarterback to call my number on an end sweep.

2002, Rich Wolfe, Kurt Warner: And the Last Shall Be First, →ISBN, page 229:

Billy was shocked; he didn't get that call once during spring practice, and now, in the spring game, they want to call his number on the first play.

2011, W. S. Gaines, Blood on a Pew: Overcoming Tragedy Through the Truth of Eternity, →ISBN:

Now he told me that when the coach had diagrammed plays, he would move to the back of the huddle, in the hope that the coach wouldn't call his number.

2015, Mark O'Connell, The Good Father: On Men, Masculinity, and Life in the Family, →ISBN, page 73:

(American football) To be assigned to carry the ball at the start of a play.


checkdown

(American football) A short pass to a running back or tight end made due to the primary receivers being covered.


roverback

Many of the gifts that made [Brad Van Pelt] a football star at defensive roverback— speed and instinct, for example— did little to serve him as a fire-balling pitcher.

2009, Bob Boyles, Paul Guido, editors, The USA Today College Football Encyclopedia, 2009 edition, page 294:

(American football) A defensive back position whose coverage responsibilities are a hybrid of those of a cornerback, safety and linebacker.


turnover on downs

en-noun

turnover on downs (plural turnovers on downs)

(American football) A situation where a team's offense loses possession of the ball due to failure to convert a touchdown, field goal or first down on their four opportunities. This is in contrast to a turnover by interception or fumble.


punt protector

(American football) The upback on the punting team.


personal protector

personal protector (plural personal protectors)


T formation

(American football) An offensive formation in which three running backs line up in a row about five yards behind the quarterback, forming a shape like the letter T.


Dirty Dozen

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Dirty Dozen.wav

(American football) The twelve rookies who made the Dallas Cowboys team in 1975.


call an audible

en-verb

call an audible (third-person singular simple present calls an audible, present participle calling an audible, simple past and past participle called an audible)

calls an audible (present singular third-person)
calling an audible (participle present)
called an audible (participle past)
called an audible (past)

(American football) To change the play at the line of scrimmage by yelling out a new one.


puntless

en-adj

puntless (comparative more puntless, superlative most puntless)

more puntless (comparative)
most puntless (superlative)

That was the first puntless game in NFL playoff history.


line to gain

(American football) The points on the football field needed to pass to convert a first down.


run game

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-run game.wav

Tristan Wirfs should help. His diverse athletic background — his past in wrestling, in particular — informed his approach to playing offensive tackle. An absolute mauler in the run game and a reliable pass-blocker, Wirfs played mostly right tackle at Iowa and ceded only 40 quarterback pressures on 1,138 pass-blocking snaps at Iowa, according to Pro Football Focus.

2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Time:

(American football) The running component of a team's offense, as distinct from passing and kicking.


winged T

(American football) A formation with two halfbacks, where one lines up just behind the line of scrimmage between the split end and the offensive tackle, and the other lines up behind the quarterback and next to the fullback.


crossback

* cross + back
* (Catholic person): Alluding to Catholic priests wearing crosses on the backs of their vestments in church services.

Ruddey made two on a crossback and Reddey was forced along for one., after which Hachah decided to punt, which he did forthwith, the ball alighting in Hart 's arms.

1906, The Lafayette Weekly - Volume 33, page 33:

On the kick-off, Cochran ran the ball back to the thirty-eight-yard line. It took only seventeen plays, most of them off tackle plunges, before Houlahan slid over the line on a crossback for the touchdown.

1919, Columbia Alumni News - Volume 9, page 119:

Go over several movements that the running backs and quarterback can make (i.e., option, crossback plays, quick pitches, sweeps, etc.).

1998, Mike Bobo, Spike Dykes, Principles of Coaching Football, →ISBN, page 94:

(American football) A play in which the player with the ball crosses to one side of the field and then doubles back to the other.


Air Coryell

(American football) An offensive scheme developed by NFL coach Don Coryell.


USFL

United States Football League
w:United States Football League

(American football) Initialism of United States Football League.


AAFL

All American Football League
w:All American Football League

(American football) Initialism of All American Football League.


kickout

In the great Michigan game of 1903, it was he who got the ball on the kickout.

1906, Graff F. Wolfe, The Story of Wall Ka-Zoo, page 112:

Jones caught the kickout on the fifteen-yard line and Hudson kicked goal.

1906, The United States Army and Navy Journal and Gazette, page 276:

Another change requires that on the kickout the opponents line up on the 20-yard line, instead of on the 25-yard line, and that the ball be kicked from some point behind the 20-yard line.

The kickout was fumbled and Barrett lost his chance to try for the goal.

1915, The Cornell Alumni News - Volume 18, page 97:

“We called [the play] 26 Blast on that play and I was reading Jaydon Wright’s kickout block on the end,” Smith said.

2021 April 4, Nicholas Holstein, “FOOTBALL: Youthful Irish gain confidence, experience in win over Chicago Christian”, in Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois):

(rugby, American football) A drop kick by a player on the side to return the ball back into play.


LFL

Lingerie Football League
w:en:Lingerie Football League

(sports, American football) Initialism of Lingerie Football League.

Legends Football League
w:en:Legends Football League

(sports, American football) Initialism of Legends Football League.


zero blitz

(American football) A defensive scheme which involves no deep defenders, person-to-person coverage and a heavy pass rush.


pass rush

Coach Ron Rivera was hired to restore pride and discipline (and winning seasons) to a decaying franchise, and for a defensive-minded coach, buttressing the pass rush with the best defensive end prospect in the class is a reasonable way to start.

(American football) A defensive tactic which involves one or more players charging towards the quarterback either to get a sack or other pressure.


pass rusher

A late-scoring push forced overtime, but even in added time, the team was forced to go for a field goal on their initial drive after a pass rusher forced an overthrow from Purdy. This allowed Mahomes in and the emerging all-time great doesn’t often make mistakes.

2024 February 12, Ben Morse and Steve Almasy, “Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers in OT in Super Bowl LVIII, become first back-to-back NFL champions in 19 years”, in CNN.com:

(American football) A defensive player who engages in a pass rush, who attempts to sack or pressure the quarterback.


scout team

(American football) A group of players on a team, often from the practice squad who emulate the style of play of future opponents so that the starting players can practice against them.


practice squad

(American football) A group of players who are not eligible to play in games, but who participate in practices.


broken field

Quarter-backs this year who have gained considerable notice are Fallis of Haskell Indians and Pooler of Kansas University, they both being very good in a broken field.

1905, Spalding's Official Foot Ball Guide, page 169:

The forward passer receives the ball, runs a yard or two as a feint, and then, with scarcely a look over the broken field, selects a person and a place and throws the ball.

1972, Chronicle of American Physical Education, page 383:

Barely two minutes after the interval the margin was reduced to just a single point after Elliot Daly, under a bit of pressure, knocked on 40 metres from his own line and gave the Wallabies a broken field to play with.

2019 October 19, Robert Kitson, “England into World Cup semi-finals after bruising victory over Australia”, in The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media:

(rugby, American football) A field in which there are defensive players from the other team between the player who has the ball and the goal.


jet sweep

(American football) A play where a wide receiver catches a short pitch, then runs left or right prior to running downfield.


coffin corner

coffin corner (American football)
coffin corner (aerodynamics)

During that second half, Carideo, one of Notre Dame's greatest punters, repeatedly kept SMU bottled up deep in its own territory on “coffin-corner” punts which invariably went out of bounds inside the Mustangs' 10-yard line.

2010, Jack Cavanaugh, The Gipper: George Gipp, Knute Rockne, and the Dramatic Rise of Notre Dame Football:

Kick it hard, kick it deep, and aim for the coffin corner when close enough to the opponents' end zone.

2014 November 7, “Rugby-style kicking helps Chiefs' Colquitt take punting to another level”, in Kansas City Star:

His ability to find the coffin corner pinned countless opponents deep in their own zone, and even when he didn’t have the big numbers that some other CFL punters did, he was always considered to be one of the very best directional punters in the league.

2019 November 28, Daniel Austin, “Rob Maver announces retirement after 10 seasons with Stampeders”, in Calgary Herald:

During his career, Higgins punted 135 times for an average of 43.5 yards, with 40 in the "coffin corner".

2019 December 13, “Higgins gets third All-America honor”, in The Marshall Democrat-News:

(American football) A corner of the field formed by the opponent's goal line and a sideline, into which a punt is often aimed in order to force the opposition to play close to their goal line.


suicide squad

The most violent men in pro football play on the suicide squads.

1971, LIFE, volume 71, number 23, page 3:

(American football, slang) Synonym of special team


RB

(American football) Initialism of running back.


Lombardi-esque

Lombardi-esque (comparative more Lombardi-esque, superlative most Lombardi-esque)

more Lombardi-esque (comparative)
most Lombardi-esque (superlative)
Lombardiesque (alternative)

Players were still passing out “Gator Bowl Champions” hats and celebrating with their Lombardi-esque trophy when Muschamp, speaking to the roughly 10,000 fans lingering in the stands, didn't fully buy into the revelry.

2012 January 3, Greg Luca, “Muschamp minimizes Gator Bowl win as Florida avoids losing season”, in The Independent Florida Alligator:

In the past, each Super Bowl has had its own logo. But this year the NFL is switching to a generic logo based on the Lombardi Trophy. […] while the Super Bowl may be the biggest event on the planet, the Lombardi Trophy still ain't no Stanley Cup, no matter how many Lombardi-esque logos the NFL comes up with.

2011 February 3, Paul Lukas, “Super Bowl XLV primer on aesthetics”, in ESPN.com:

(American football) Resembling or like the Lombardi trophy.


touchdown pass

en-noun

touchdown pass (plural touchdown passes)

Burrow, the Heisman Trophy winner, threw for 5,671 yards and set a Football Bowl Subdivision record with 60 touchdown passes — the final 12 of which came in his last two games, blowouts over Oklahoma and Clemson, to propel L.S.U. to a national title.

2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Time:

(American football) A pass in which the receiver then scores a touchdown.


hog molly

General Manager Dave Gettleman swoons over “hog mollies” — his nomenclature for enormous offensive linemen — and that, no doubt, is a priority for him as he builds around quarterback Daniel Jones. In Andrew Thomas, the Giants have their hog molly.

(American football) A very large and obese player, especially in the offensive line.


running lane

On the field, Brown thwarted triple-teams, mauled quarterbacks and stuffed running lanes.

2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Times:

(American football) An informal division of a football field indicating the channel through which a player will run either to catch a pass or when carrying the ball.


edge rusher

According to Pro Football Focus, Simmons, listed at 6-foot-4 and 238 pounds, played at least 100 snaps at five positions — slot cornerback, edge rusher, linebacker and both safety spots — and finished with 16½ tackles for a loss, eight sacks, eight pass deflections and three interceptions.

(American football) A defensive player who runs on the outside of the field, making a turn at the last minute to get to the offensive player who has the ball.


safety spot

Competing for the safety spot are soph Mike Hincewicz and freshman Gary Marshall, a small player in Davis' mold at 6-0, 155 pounds.

1970, Princeton Alumni Weekly - Volume 71, page 10:

But with Samari Rolle at the other corner and Blaine Bishop at the other safety spot, the team will find a combination that works.

2001, Craig Carter, Pro Football Guide, page 94:

(American football) The position of defensive safety; a position furthest from the line of scrimmage whose responsibility is to defend against passes as well as to be the tackler of last resort.


route runner

“The best route runner I have ever seen,” Vincent said. “When he was with the Rams, then over to Washington, he was real clever. He made everything look alike. You didn't know whether he was running a two-yard route or a 'go.'

2006, Gordon Forbes, Tales from the Eagles Sideline, page 61:

You must have great awareness to be a great route runner.

2012, Merritt J. Norvell, Route Running for Wide Receivers:

He has a slightly-limited route tree as primarily a vertical deep threat. He is a sufficient route runner despite underutilizing his size during the stem phase.

2021, Matt Manocherian, SIS Football Rookie Handbook 2021:

After plucking Courtland Sutton in the second round last year, the Denver Broncos needed to complement him with another receiver, preferably one who can stretch the field now that Pro Bowl wideout Emmanuel Sanders has left for New Orleans.
Jerry Jeudy, a polished route-runner who can line up anywhere in a formation, fits that description.

(American football) A receiver who is good at finding a route through the defensive players on the other team in order to get into position.


receiving yard

In addition to putting up nearly 3,300 receiving yards and 32 touchdown receptions in three college seasons, he was also the main punt returner for the Sooners.

2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in the New York Times:

(American football) Yard gained by the offense on a play in which a receiver caught the ball.


forced throw

As he'd promised, Donny Doyle had been in the Bucks quarterback's face all day, except for the time he'd dropped to cover the running back and made a clean pick of Franks' forced throw.

2007, Phil Truman, Game: Some Have It, Some Don't, page 102:

His film — from last season, especially — also contains instances of lapsed mechanics, forced throws and shaky field vision.

(American football) A throw to a teammate from the player who is running with the ball in order to avoid being tackled.


tackle for loss

tackle for loss (plural tackles for loss)

The Seattle Seahawks, who are defensive minded but have slipped in recent years, chose Jordyn Brooks, a linebacker from Texas Tech. He led the team in tackles in three of his seasons at Tech. He also had 20 tackles for loss and three sacks last year, when he injured his shoulder.

(American football) A tackle that causes a loss of yardage for the opposing running back or wide receiver.


boundary corner

boundary corner (plural boundary corners)

The field corner and boundary corner line up on number 1 strong and number 1 weak, respectively.

2000, Dick tomey, Rich Ellerson, Larry MacDuff, and Johnnie Lynn, “Swarming the Offense”, in American Football Coaches Association, editor, Defensive Football Strategies, page 80:

If Cover 4 is played with the strong safety in a cloud position and the boundary corner as the deep- one-half defender, the boundary corner has similar alignment and responsibility as in Cover 5.

2008, Ron Vanderlinden, Football's Eagle & Stack Defenses, page 34:

Even if the 5-foot-10 Gladney doesn’t stick as a boundary corner because of his size, his coverage skills, tenacity and feistiness make him an ideal candidate to flourish in the slot.

(American football) A defensive position, responsible for covering the deep half of the field on the boundary side.


screen pass

(American football) A short pass to a receiver protected by blockers.


Cincitucky

(American football, slang, by extension) The Cincinnati Bengals.


outyard

en-verb

outyard (third-person singular simple present outyards, present participle outyarding, simple past and past participle outyarded)

outyards (present singular third-person)
outyarding (participle present)
outyarded (participle past)
outyarded (past)

From out- + yard (“unit of length equal to 3 feet”).

af

Although Oklahoma outyarded the Jays 339 to 155, Kansas fought magnificently and earned its 13-13 tie. Royal's punting had begun to jell. He kicked four out-of-bounds against the Crimson and Blue.

1984, Harold Keith, Forty-Seven Straight: The Wilkinson Era at Oklahoma, Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, published 2003, →ISBN, page 28:

(American football) To gain more yards than.


Rose Bowl

(US, American football) The annual NCAA college football championship game typically played on New Year's Day.


hurry-up offense

en-noun

hurry-up offense (plural hurry-up offenses)

(American football) An offensive style in which the offensive team avoids delays between plays, sometimes also avoiding or shortening the huddle to limit or disrupt defensive strategies and flexibility.


flankerback

flankerbacks (plural)
flanker back (alternative)

(rugby, American football) A back whose task is to receive the ball from a scrum.


flexbone

(American football) A formation involving three running backs in which a fullback is lined up behind the quarterback and two slotbacks are lined up behind the line of scrimmage at each end of the offensive line.


upman

(American football) A player of the return team at kickoff


outkick one's coverage

en-verb

outkick one's coverage (third-person singular simple present outkicks one's coverage, present participle outkicking one's coverage, simple past and past participle outkicked one's coverage)

outkicks one's coverage (present singular third-person)
outkicking one's coverage (participle present)
outkicked one's coverage (participle past)
outkicked one's coverage (past)

Sometimes a punter will outkick his coverage, but the majority of the time there's some decision-making involved.

2018, John Powers, Fridays with Bill: Inside the Football Mind of Bill Belichick:

But when the punter outkicked his coverage, White decided to disobey his coach's orders and run with the ball.

2022, Tyler Bridges, Five Laterals and a Trombone:

(American football) To kick the ball so far downfield that one's teammates do not have time to get into position to block or tackle the opponent who catches it.


pad up

pad up (third-person singular simple present pads up, present participle padding up, simple past and past participle padded up)

pads up (present singular third-person)
padding up (participle present)
padded up (participle past)
padded up (past)

He padded up for the Bears in 1997.

(American football, intransitive) To put on pads to ready oneself to play American football; to play for a team.


race-norming

(American football) The practice of adjusting downwards the cognitive ability scores of players of colour.


fly route

(American football) A pattern run by a receiver, straight upfield towards the end zone, with the aim of outrunning any defensive backs and getting behind them, catching an undefended pass while running untouched for a touchdown.


down and distance

en-noun

down and distance (plural downs and distances)

The choice to punt at this down and distance is unusual.

(American football) The game situation described using the current scrimmage down and the yardage required to either the line to gain, or the goal line if no line to gain exists.


bring the wood

en-verb

bring the wood (third-person singular simple present brings the wood, present participle bringing the wood, simple past and past participle brought the wood)

brings the wood (present singular third-person)
bringing the wood (participle present)
brought the wood (participle past)
brought the wood (past)

(American football) To play, especially to tackle, with great force.


jump pass

(American football) A pass to a teammate made while jumping


Clockgate

(US, American football, informal) The controversy around the Michigan vs. Michigan State football game of November 3, 2001, in which the ball was spiked with one second remaining visible on the clock.


WLAF

Scenarios were floated that the CFL and WLAF would merge or that the CFL would revert to a fall schedule and become a farm league for the NFL.

2005, Steve O'Brien, The Canadian Football League, →ISBN:

World League of American Football
w:World League of American Football

(American football) Initialism of World League of American Football.


jump-cut

jump-cut (third-person singular simple present jump-cuts, present participle jump-cutting, simple past and past participle jump-cut)

jump-cuts (present singular third-person)
jump-cutting (participle present)
jump-cut (participle past)
jump-cut (past)
jump cut (alternative)
jumpcut (alternative)

After Lake insisted the sixth-year senior hadn’t impressed enough in practice to contribute in their first two games, McGrew responded with 31 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just six carries Saturday — releasing a guttural growl after jump-cutting and crossing the goal line for a 13-yard score in the first quarter.

2021 September 18, Mike Vorel, “After two frustrating losses, the dam finally breaks in Washington’s 52-3 win over Arkansas State”, in The Seattle Times:

(intransitive, American football) To perform a jump cut.


offensive guard

en-noun

offensive guard (plural offensive guards)

(American football) A lineman for the team in possession of the ball located on either side of the center and inside of the offensive tackles.


All-Pro

All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey had 80 yards on the ground and 80 through the air. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings became the second person in Super Bowl history to throw and catch touchdown passes.

2024 February 12, Ben Morse and Steve Almasy, “Kansas City Chiefs defeat San Francisco 49ers in OT in Super Bowl LVIII, become first back-to-back NFL champions in 19 years”, in CNN.com:

(American football) A professional American football player selected (typically by press organizations) as the best player in a particular position during a given season.


consensus national champion

consensus national champion (plural consensus national champions)

(American football) In regard to national championships in college football, a team that was selected as national champions by both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll.


flag on the play

Here we go at last. It's Iona's ball on their own 10 yard line; they are in punt formation — wait — there's a flag on the play.

1955, Natalie E. White, The Billion Dollar Saint: A Farce in Three Acts, Dramatists Play Service, →ISBN, page 29:

In the modern game there is perhaps no phrase more familiar than "Flag on the play!" It is an instant and unmistakable signal to every player, to the benches, and to the fans, that a penalty is about to be enforced by a game official.

2012, Robert J. Scott, Myles A. Pocta, Honor on the Line: The Fifth Down and the Spectacular 1940 College Football Season, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 146:

(American football slang) A penalty flag.


Oklahoma drill

Oklahoma drills (plural)
Oklahoma Drill (alternative)

Named after the Oklahoma Sooners football team by coach Bud Wilkinson, creator of the technique.

Offensively, Dan Sullivan and Bob Vogel were strong blockers in the Oklahoma Drill and Mike Curtis and Ted Hendricks savage as defensive operators.

1972 July 25, “Colts' Bubba holds firm in contact squabble”, in The Baltimore Sun, page 26:

The 'Oklahoma Drill' used to be one of the highlights of the Steelers' training camp.

1992, Jim O'Brien, Whatever It Takes: The Continuing Saga of the Pittsburgh Steelers II, James O'Brien-Publishing, →ISBN, page 32:

To make it work, Wilkinson needed three interior down linemen who could do the work of four (or more) by exploding off the snap, reading the ball carrier and then, in tight quarters, shedding blocks to make tackles. In other words, he needed players who would excel at the Oklahoma drill.

2015 August 19, David Fleming, “Is the Oklahoma drill a rite of passage or everything to fear about football?”, in ESPN:

(American football) In gridiron football, a practice technique wherein two players run at each other within a narrow corridor with the aim of either tackling the opponent, driving them out of bounds, or scoring a touchdown.

Bud Wilkinson
Oklahoma Sooners football
Oklahoma drill


middle guard

It allows the middle guard of the defense to roam, and with the combined efforts of his teammates he will emerge your leading tackler game in and out.

1956, Jack C. Mitchell, Bernard A. Taylor, Umbrella Defenses, W. C. Brown Company, page 17:

The middle guard faced off consistently against the offensive center, with one or occasionally both hands in the dirt. On running plays, he bore the traditional run-stuffing responsibilities.

2022 April 25, George Bozeka, editor, The 1951 Los Angeles Rams: Profiles of the NFL's First West Coast Champions, McFarland & Company, →ISBN, page 285:

(American football) A defensive player positioned in the middle of the pitch, opposite the offensive center and between the defensive tackles; the nose guard.


nose tackle

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-nose tackle.wav


bump and run

(American football) A strategy used by defensive backs, in which a defender lined up directly in front of a wide receiver attempts to impede him with arms, hands, or the entire body and disrupt his intended route.


kick returner

(American football, Canadian football) A player who catches a kicked or punted ball and attempts to advance it towards the goal.


play-calling

But some bad breaks, good defense from the Chiefs and conservative play-calling meant the 49ers offense stalled and Kansas City was able to rally.

(American football) Alternative form of playcalling


defensive line

(American football, Canadian football) The players of the team not possessing the ball who are positioned at the line of scrimmage.


AAFC

All-America Football Conference
w:All-America Football Conference

(American football) Initialism of All-America Football Conference.


long snapper

Fans rarely see the name of the long snapper, but he's the next most important player on special teams behind the punter or kicker.

2012, Greg Jacobs, The Everything KIDS' Football Book:

Lonnie was the long snapper for both of Adam Vinatieri's clutch field goals in the "Snow Bowl" against the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and for his 48-yard game-winning kick in Super Bowl XXXVI.

2013, Rick Gonsalves, Placekicking in the NFL: A History and Analysis, page 235:

My suggestion was to go ahead and walk-on and try out as a kicker but to tell them that he was also a long snapper.

2019, Don Osborne, Was It All Just for Kicks?:

(American football) A center who is skilled in throwing a long snap.


long snap

When I was playing professionally and I wasn't starting, I'd come in and do the long snaps.

2004, Joseph Blotner, Real Football: a Biography, page 372:

The long snap typically travels anywhere from 12 and 15 yards, depending on the alignment of the punter.

2006, Coach Education, Coaching Football Technical & Tactical Skills:

But Paco's long snap from center was high, and the holder, Joey Gallagher, couldn't get the ball down in time for Adam to kick it!

2011, Ronde Barber, Tiki Barber, Go Long!:

In Baltimore's 33 to 14 rout of New England in the AFC's Wild Card playoff game on January 9, 2010, he got off nine perfect long snaps, 3 for extra points, 2 for field goals, and 4 for punts.

2013, Rick Gonsalves, Placekicking in the NFL: A History and Analysis, page 237:

(American football) An underhand pass from the center to the punter.


long snap

en-verb

long snap (third-person singular simple present long snaps, present participle long snapping, simple past and past participle long snapped)

long snaps (present singular third-person)
long snapping (participle present)
long snapped (participle past)
long snapped (past)

These days every team has someone on the roster whose only job is to long snap.

2007, John Feinstein, Next Man Up: A Year Behind the Lines in Today's NFL:

"I learned by watching my father do it," Zak explained. "I also knew the importance of it, so I learned how to long snap on my own. […]"

Tom always wanted to learn how to long snap.

(American football) To throw a long snap.


safetyman

(American football, dated) safety (position)


passing game

(sports, American football) A type of play involving one player throwing the ball to a teammate.


heel out

heel out (third-person singular simple present heels out, present participle heeling out, simple past and past participle heeled out)

heels out (present singular third-person)
heeling out (participle present)
heeled out (participle past)
heeled out (past)

(American football, dated) To kick a ball backwards.


defensive line of scrimmage

en-noun

defensive line of scrimmage (plural defensive lines of scrimmage)

(American football) The scrimmage line on the defensive side of the football field.


defensive lineman

defensive lineman (plural defensive linemen)

(American football) A player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage when the opposition controls the ball.


open-field

(American football) Of a player, capable of obtaining yardage in a broken field.


Jerry World

(American football) A nickname for AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.


A formation

An arbitrary name, not related to the shape of the letter A.

(American football) A variation of the single-wing formation, differing in placing the quarterback further back from the line and closer to the center, and placing the backfield opposite the "strong" side of the unbalanced line.


passing pocket

(American football) Synonym of pocket (“The area behind the line of scrimmage subject to certain rules regarding intentional grounding”)


Power Four

(American football) The four college football conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC) that currently contain the strongest programs, and whose champions are guaranteed berths in the College Football Playoff.