Football Vocab

Question 1

Shotgun:

Answer 1

In the shotgun, instead of the quarterback receiving the snap from center at the line of
scrimmage, he stands farther behind the line of scrimmage, often five to seven yards
back.

Question 2

Offensive Lineman:

Answer 2

A lineman is a player who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage. The linemen of
the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line who block for the
quarterback, while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line who try to tackle
the quarterback

Question 3

Scramble:

Answer 3

A quarterback scramble occurs when the quarterback leaves the area protected by the
offensive line and runs into the other areas of the field. A quarterback can scramble to
avoid a sack, extend a play to give the downfield receivers more time to get open, or to
attempt to gain yardage.

Question 4

Blitz:

Answer 4

Blitzing is a tactic used by the defense to disrupt pass attempts by the offense. During a
blitz, a higher than usual number of defensive players will rush the opposing quarterback,
to try to tackle the quarterback or force them to hurry their pass attempt.

Question 5

Snap:

Answer 5

A snap (also called a “hike”, “snapback”, or “pass from center”) is the backwards passing
of the ball in at the start of play from scrimmage.

Question 6

Tackle:

Answer 6

The primary and important purpose of tackling is to strip an opponent of the ball, to stop
the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they
intend.

Question 7

Offside:

Answer 7

In football, offside is an infraction of the rules in which a player is on the wrong side of
the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. This occurs simultaneously with the
snap. Unlike offensive players, defensive players are not compelled to come to a set
position before the snap.

Question 8

Running Back:

Answer 8

A running back is a member of the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running
back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch a passe
from out of the backfield, and to block.

Question 9

Extra Point:

Answer 9

It occurs immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to
attempt to score one extra point by kicking the ball through the uprights in the manner of
a field goal.

Question 10

Goal Line:

Answer 10

The goal line is the chalked or painted line dividing the end zone from the field of play.

Question 11

Punt:

Answer 11

A punt in football is a kick performed by dropping the ball from the hands and then
kicking the ball before it hits the ground. Usually made when a team isn’t close to a score
or achieving a first down.

Question 12

Touchdown:

Answer 12

A score in football when the offensive team crosses into the end zone. Worth 6 points.

Question 13

Field Goal:

Answer 13

A field goal is a way of scoring in football. To score a field goal the team in possession of
the ball must place kick, or drop kick, the ball through the goal, i.e., between the uprights
and over the crossbar.

Question 14

Fumble:

Answer 14

When a player on the offensive team drops the ball.

Question 15

Interception:

Answer 15

When a player on the defensive team catches the ball on a pass from the quarterback on
the offensive team.

Question 16

Red Zone:

Answer 16

The red zone is the area of the field between the 20-yard line and the goal line. The red
zone has no official meaning during the process of playing the game and is not generally
marked on the field (although some professional stadiums may have special striping for
the 20-yard line).

Question 17

Sack:

Answer 17

When the quarterback is pushed and tackled behind the line of scrimmage before they can
throw the ball.

Question 18

Quarterback:

Answer 18

The play caller on the offensive team. They begin the play.

Question 19

Down:

Answer 19

A measure of play. The offensive team gets 4 before it is a turnover.

Question 20

Completion:

Answer 20

When an offensive player successfully catches the ball.

Question 21

Line of Scrimmage:

Answer 21

A line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the football
field) beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun.

Question 22

False Start:

Answer 22

A false start is an infraction in which an offensive player moves after he has taken a set
position and before the ball is snapped.

Question 23

Huddle:

Answer 23

A huddle is an action of a team gathering together, usually in a tight circle, to strategize,
motivate or celebrate. … The term “huddle” can be used as a verb as in “huddling up.”

Question 24

Center (position):

Answer 24

The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team’s offense.
Player who snaps the ball to the quarterback

Question 25

End Zone:

Answer 25

The end zone is the scoring area on the field.

Question 26

Neutral Zone:

Answer 26

The neutral zone can be described as the length of the football (11 inches/28 centimeters)
from one tip to the other when it is spotted (i.e. placed on a certain spot) on the field prior
to the snap of the ball during a scrimmage down.

Question 27

Pigskin:

Answer 27

What the football is “made of”. Slang name for the football.

Question 28

Secondary:

Answer 28

Defensive backs, also known as the “secondary”, play either behind the linebackers or set
to the outside, near the sidelines.

Question 29

Hail Mary:

Answer 29

A play in which the ball is thrown down the field in desperation.

Question 30

First Down:

Answer 30

The offensive team has 4 downs or plays to either score or gain 10 yards. If they don’t
gain 10 yards, after the fourth try, the opposing team gets possession of the football at the
spot of the tackle. Each down is called by its name or number: First, second, third, and
fourth down. The first down can be reached if you pass the imaginary first down line.

Question 31

Safety:

Answer 31

When an offensive player is tackled in their own endzone. Worth 2 points for the
defending team.

Question 32

Hash Marks:

Answer 32

The hash marks are two rows of lines near the middle of the field that are perpendicular
to the side lines. That is, if the ball is downed in between a hash mark and the nearest
sideline, it must be placed on that hash mark for the next play.