Definitions

Question 1

Dead Ball

Answer 1

Ball not in play

Question 2

Loose Ball

Answer 2

Live ball not in player possession during a running play; scrimmage or free kick before possession is gained or regained or dead by rule; interval after a legal forward pass is touched and before it becomes complete, incomplete, or intercepted

Question 3

Live Ball

Answer 3

Ball in play - pass, kick, or fumble that has not touched the ground is a live ball in flight

Question 4

Below the Waist

Answer 4

Force of the initial contact is below the waist of an opponent who has one or both feet on the ground - when in question the contact is below.

Blocker may contact above and slide low. If the blocker first contacts the opposing player’s hands at the waist or above, it is a legal “above the waist” block

Question 5

Chop Block

Answer 5

high-low or low-high combo - “low” component is a the opponents thigh or below

Question 6

Block in the Back

Answer 6

Force of the initial contact is from behind and above the waist.

Question 7

Blocking Zone

Answer 7

Rectangle centered on the middle lineman - 5yds laterally and 3 yds longitudinally.

Question 8

Low-Blocking Zone

Answer 8

Extends 7 yds in each direction of the snapper, 5 yds beyond the neutral zone and back to Team A’s end line

Question 9

Player Possession

Answer 9

Player has the ball firmly in his grasp while contacting the ground inbounds

Question 10

Team Possession

Answer 10

A) one of its players has possession (including when he is attempting a punt or place kick), B) while forward pass thrown by a player of that team is in flight, C) during a loose ball if a player of that team last had player possession, D) when the team is next to snap or free kick the ball

Question 11

Catch

Answer 11

Secures control of a live ball in flight with his hands or arms before the ball touches the ground and the player touches the ground in bounds with any part of his body, and then maintains control of the ball long enough to enable him to pitch/hand the ball off, advance the ball or avoid/ward off an opponent.

Player must maintain complete and continuous control of the ball throughout the process of contacting the ground.

Slight movement of the ball is not considered loss of possession - must lose control of the ball for there to be loss of possession.

Question 12

Clipping

Answer 12

Force of the initial contact is from behind and at or below the waist

Question 13

Fumble

Answer 13

To lose player possession by any act other than passing, kicking, or successful handing

Question 14

Muff

Answer 14

Unsuccessful attempt to catch or recover a ball that is touched in the attempt - muffing the ball does not change its status

Question 15

Scrimmage Kick Formation

Answer 15

Formation with at least one player 7 yds or more behind the NZ, no player in position to receive a hand-to-hand snap, and it is obvious that a kick may be attempted.

If Team A is in scrimmage kick formation at the snap, any action by Team A is deemed to be from scrimmage kick formation

Question 16

Forward/Backward Pass

Answer 16

If the ball strikes the ground, a player, an official, or anything else beyond the spot where the ball was released it is forward - all other passes are backwards.

Question 17

Shift

Answer 17

Simultaneous change of position or stance by 2 or more offensive players after the ball is ready for play. shift ends when all players are motionless for 1 full second

Question 18

Passer

Answer 18

Player who throws a forward pass. He is the passer from the time he throws the ball until the pass is complete, incomplete or intercepted; or he moves to participate in the play.

Question 19

Substitute

Answer 19

Replacement for a player or a player vacancy during the interval between downs. Substitute becomes a player when he enter the field of play or EZ and communicates with a teammate or official, enters the huddle, positioned in formations, or participates in the play

Question 20

Defenseless Player

Answer 20

Player who because of his physical position and focus of concentration is especially vulnerable to injury.

Question 21

Out of Bounds

Answer 21

When any part of his body touches anything other than another player or game official on or outside the boundary line

Question 22

Tackle Box

Answer 22

Rectangular area enclosed by the NZ, the 2 lines parallel to the sidelines 5 yds from the snapper, and Team A’s endline