25-second Play Clock
At the end of specific official stoppages and game delays, the offense has 25 seconds to snap the ball to start the next play. If they fail to start the play before the 25-second clock runs out, they receive a 5-yard delay of game penalty.
40-second Play Clock
Teams have 40 seconds between from the end of the previous play to begin the next play. If a team fails to snap the ball before the 40-second play clock runs out, they receive a five-yard delay of game penalty.
Back Judge (BJ)
The back judge focuses on players on the end of the offensive and defensive lines. Lined up deep in the defensive backfield about 25 yards downfield, generally on tight end’s side, the back judge also counts defensive players and keeps track of the game clock and all television breaks.
Catch
A catch occurs when a forward pass is completed (by the offense) or intercepted (by the defense) and a player who is inbounds...
a) secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground and;
b) touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands and;
c) after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, performs any act common to the game (e.g., tuck the ball away, extend it forward, take an additional step, turn upfield, or avoid or ward off an opponent), or he maintains control of the ball long enough to do so.
Center
Lined up in the middle of the offensive line, the center snaps the football between his legs to the quarterback to start each offensive play. He is responsible for telling his fellow offensive linemen who to block.
Chain Crew
The eight home-team employees who use a 10-yard chain that connects two posts to help officials track where the ball should be placed, and what spot a team must reach to earn a first down.
Cleats
The standard “sneaker” type shoes players wear on game day. Teams designate a color for each game, typically black or white, and all players must match that color. Players may choose to wear a brand and style of shoe that has been approved by the league, or he may wear a different shoe if it is the same color as those worn by his teammates. Kickers and punters cannot modify their shoes to gain an unfair advantage when kicking the football.
Coin Toss
Up to six captains per team can participate in the coin toss ceremony (active, inactive, or honorary); only one captain from the visiting team (or a captain designated by the Referee if there is no home team) can declare the choice of the coin toss.
The team that won the toss may then have only one captain declare its option.
The team that lost the coin toss may then have only one captain declare its option.
Cornerback
Cornerbacks line up in the defensive backfield across from wide receivers. In a standard defensive formation, there are two cornerbacks.
Dead Ball
The ball is considered “dead” during stoppages in play, between downs and during timeouts.
Dead Ball Foul
A foul that occurs between when a play is whistled dead until the ball is snapped for the next play, or a taunting foul that occurs at any time.
Defense
The team trying to prevent the offense from scoring.
Defensive Backfield
The area on the defensive line of scrimmage where the linebackers and defensive backs line up. The term refers to the defensive “backs” who line up in the area of the field.
Defensive End
Lined up at each outside end of the defensive line, defensive ends try to force their way into the offensive backfield to pressure or sack the quarterback or to stop the running back.
Defensive Tackle
Typically lined up on the defensive line opposite the guards, defensive tackles push into the offensive line to disrupt or stop a play in the opponent's backfield or try to prevent the offense from gaining yardage on running plays. In a 4-3 defense (four defensive linemen and three linebackers), there are two defensive tackles.
Down
A down is the period of action that begins when the ball is put in play and ends when the ball is declared dead. Most downs start with a snap from scrimmage, but kickoffs and safety kicks start when the ball is struck. An offense has four downs or fewer to advance the 10 yards required to gain a first down, which allows them to maintain possession and earns them another four downs. The initial down in a series of downs is called a first down. Subsequent downs are numbered sequentially — second, third, or fourth.
Down by Contact
A player who possesses the ball is ruled down by contact when he touches the ground with any part of his body — other than his feet, hands or arms — as a direct result of contact with a player of the opposing team. If a player touches the ground with any part of his body other than his feet, hands or arms, but was not contacted by a defender, he may get up and continue to advance the ball. The exception is when a ball carrier intentionally kneels down or gives himself up and stops advancing.
Down Judge (DJ)
The down judge oversees the line of scrimmage, directs the chain crew and watches for offside and encroachment penalties. Lined up on the sideline opposite the press box, the down judge looks down the line of scrimmage, rules on sideline plays on one half of the field, counts the offensive players on field and informs the referee of the current down.
Downfield
The area of the field between the line of scrimmage and the end zone where the offense runs plays to gain yards with the ultimate goal of scoring a touchdown or field goal.
Drop Kick
Rarely used, a drop kick happens when a player drops the ball and kicks it as, or immediately after, it touches the ground. This kick was more common in the league’s early days but has been phased out of the game because of the unpredictability of bouncing the odd-shaped ball before kicking it. The only successful drop kick attempted since 1941 was converted by New England Patriots quarterback Doug Flutie on January 1, 2006.
Eligible Receiver
Eligible receivers include:
- All defensive players
- Quarterbacks
- Punters
- Placekickers
- Running backs
- Tight ends
- H-backs
- Wide receivers
Offensive players who are eligible wear numbers from 1–49 or 80–89, though in certain situations, other players can report as eligible to the referee before a play. Anyone on the field becomes eligible once the ball has been touched by any defensive player or eligible offensive player.
Encroachment
When a defensive player enters the neutral zone and contacts an offensive player or the ball prior to the snap, or interferes with the ball during the snap, it is encroachment and the play is dead immediately.
End Lines
The boundary lines at each end of the field that mark the end of the field at the back of the end zone. These lines run perpendicular to the sidelines and are located 10 yards beyond the goal lines.
End Zone
The scoring areas at each end of the playing field bounded by the goal lines, end lines, and sidelines are known as the end zones. A player must carry the ball into, or catch the ball in, this area to score a touchdown. Each NFL end zone measures 10 yards by 53 ⅓ yards.
Extra Point
After scoring a touchdown, a team can opt to attempt to have its placekicker kick the ball over the crossbar and through the uprights — just like a field goal — to earn one additional point. The ball is snapped from the 15-yardline for the attempt and the kick is equivalent to about a 33-yard field goal.
Facemask
The cage on the front of a player’s helmet that helps protect a player’s face from unnecessary risk of injury. Tackling a player by grabbing his face mask is forbidden and results in a 15-yard penalty.
Fair Catch
A player in position to receive a punt can signal for a fair catch by raising one arm above his head and waving it from side to side. Once the receiver signals for a fair catch, he cannot advance the ball and the play is over when he catches the ball and the opponent may not interfere with or tackle him.
Field Goal
Worth three points, a team scores a field goal when a placekicker kicks the ball from the field of play over the crossbar and between the uprights.
Field Judge (FJ)
The field judge watches the receiver that is split widest on one side of the field for illegal use of hands and blocking fouls, and the defensive back covering him for penalties. Lined up in the defensive backfield, 20 yards downfield on the same side of the field as the line judge, the field judge also watches the sidelines to determine if runners are in or out of bounds and counts the defensive players on the field.
Field of Play
The area between the sidelines and the end zones, which is considered to be “in bounds” and where all the action takes place.
Football
A pebble-grained, leather-cased, natural tan colored prolate spheroid containing a urethane bladder inflated to between 12½ to 13½ pounds. The ball weighs 14 to 15 ounces and is 11 to 11¼ inches with a long circumference of 28 to 28½ inches and a short circumference of 21 to 21¼ inches.
Forward Pass
A forward pass occurs when an offensive player, usually the quarterback, throws the football from behind the line of scrimmage toward an eligible receiver on his team with the intent of advancing downfield toward his opponent’s goal line.
Forward Progress
The point on the field where the forward momentum of a player who is in possession of the football is stopped by a defender or by going out of bounds. A player is awarded the most forward spot the runner reached when the ball is declared dead even if he is pushed backward.
Free Kick
Any kickoff or punt in which one team kicks the ball to the other to start a possession at the beginning of either half, after a score or safety, or after a defensive stop.
Fullback
Typically the larger of the two running backs lined up behind the quarterback, the fullback often serves as an extra blocker for the halfback/tailback on running plays. He can either run with the ball or catch a forward pass on an offensive play, though fullbacks typically carry the ball when a strong running style is needed, like when the offense only needs to gain a few yards for a first down or to score a touchdown.
Fumble
A turnover that occurs when any player who is in possession of the football drops it during a play. Once a player fumbles, either team can recover the football.
Goal Lines
Located at either end of the playing field, the goal lines mark where the field of play ends and where the end zones begin. The team with the ball has the goal of reaching and crossing these lines for a touchdown.
Goalposts
Placed behind the end line and painted a league-approved shade of yellow or equivalent, goalposts consist of a padded post, a crossbar 10 feet off the ground and two 35-foot tall uprights that are 18 feet 6 inches apart and are topped with orange streamers. Placekickers kick the football above the crossbar and between the uprights on field-goal and extra-point attempts.
H-Back/Slot Back
Similar to a tight end, an H-back is used as an extra blocker on running plays and also can catch passes from the quarterback. Where the tight end lines up at the end of the offensive line, an H-back lines up a few yards behind the offensive line in the “slot” between the end of the line of scrimmage and the nearest wide receiver.
Half Time
Between the second and third quarters, there is a 12-minute intermission where both teams leave the field and prepare for the second half of the game.
Handoff
A handoff occurs when a quarterback hands the ball to a teammate, most commonly the tail back, who attempts to advance the football downfield towards his opponent’s end zone.
Hashmarks
Short lines that measure the field in one-yard intervals between the yard lines. Hash marks run the length of the field and are located 70 feet and 9 inches from each sideline and are used by the officials to determine where the ball should be placed.
Helmet
The equipment worn on a player’s head to help protect him from unnecessary risk of injury. Helmets were once made of leather and lacked protection for a player’s face. Today’s helmets are made to the highest safety standards possible. All styles of helmets must be approved by the league.
Holder
The player who catches and sets the football on placekick attempts, the holder catches and sets the ball on one end so that the placekicker can kick the ball through the uprights on a field-goal or an extra-point attempt.
Huddle
The place on the field where players meet to discuss the strategy they will use.
Ineligible Receiver
A player who cannot legally catch a forward pass. This includes offensive players who do not line up for a play on either end of the offensive line or at least one yard behind it when the ball is snapped. Offensive players wearing numbers 50–79, are ineligible unless they report as eligible to the referee. A previously eligible receiver who steps out of bounds prior to or during a pass, even if he reestablishes himself inbounds, is ineligible.
Injury Timeouts
If a player is injured, an official can call an injury timeout so the player may leave the field to get medical attention. Independent Certified Athletic Trainers called ATC spotters can also stop the game if it appears a player is injured and is trying to stay in the game.
Interception
A turnover that occurs when a defensive player catches a forward pass thrown by the offense resulting in a change of possession.
Jersey
The designated shirts a player wears during NFL games. Jerseys must cover all of the pads and protective gear he wears on his torso and upper arms and must display the player’s last name and number.
Jersey numbers
Every player is assigned a number, which has to appear on the front, back and shoulder or arms of his jersey. The NFL assigns numbers to players that align with his playing position to help game officials make sure that every player is lined up properly before each play.
- Quarterbacks, punters, and placekickers: 1–19
- Defensive backs: 1-49
- Running backs, fullbacks, tight ends, H-backs, and wide receivers: 1-49 and 80-89
- Offensive guards and tackles: 50–79
- Defensive linemen: 50–79 and 90–99
- Linebackers: 1–59 and 90–99
Kickoff
A kick that puts the ball in play at the start of each half, at the start of overtime, after each Try, and after a successful field goal.
Lateral
A pass that goes sideways or backwards. Unlike forward passes, a team may lateral as many times as it likes on any play, and laterals can occur anywhere on the field as long as they do not go forward.
Line Judge (LJ)
The line judge watches line of scrimmage for offside and encroachment. Lined up on the sideline opposite the down judge and looking down the line of scrimmage, the line judge counts the offensive players on the field and rules on plays near the sideline on half of the field.
Line of Scrimmage
A virtual line that extends from sideline to sideline that passes through the forward point of the ball after it has been made ready for play. The offense and defense line up on opposite sides of the line and cannot cross it until the ball is snapped for the next play.
Line to Gain
The line to gain is the spot 10 yards downfield from where the ball is spotted for an offense’s first down. If an offense advances the football to the line to gain in their set of downs, they are awarded an additional first down.
Linebacker
Lined up three to five yards behind the defensive linemen, linebackers support the linemen in stopping the runner on rushing plays, drop back into pass coverage on passing plays or they rush the quarterback.
A standard 4-3 defense features three linebackers, each with a unique role.
- The middle or “mike” linebacker, relays the play call from the coaches and tells his teammates where to line up before each play.
- The strong side or “sam” linebacker, lines up opposite the tight end and must be ready to cover him on passing plays or take him on as a blocker on rushing plays.
- The weak side or “will” linebacker lines up opposite the sam linebacker and pursues the plays toward the strong side or contains the play if it is a run toward the side of the offense without the tight end.
Live Ball Foul
A foul that occurs after the ball is snapped until the play is whistled dead.
Long Snapper
The special teams version of a center, the long snapper excels at accurately sending the ball backwards between his legs to the holder on kick attempts or the punter on fourth downs.
Loose Ball
A live ball that is not in any player’s possession that either team can recover.
Loss of Down
Certain types of penalties on the offensive team can result in a loss of down where the offense will not be able to repeat the down and is assessed a yardage penalty. If this type of foul occurs on first down, for example, the yardage penalty will be assessed and the next play will be second down.
Muff
When a player touches a loose ball while unsuccessfully attempting to gain possession. Muffs most frequently occur when a kick or punt returner fails to successfully execute a catch on a free kick or a punt.
Neutral Zone
A virtual area that runs from sideline to sideline bounded by the forward and backward points of the football after it has been made ready for play. The offense and defense line up on opposite sides of the neutral zone and cannot enter it until the ball is snapped for the next play.
Nickel Back
A defensive formation adopted in situations where the offense is expected to pass. A fifth defensive back is brought onto the field to cover opposing wide receivers, usually at the expense of a linebacker.
No-Huddle Offense
When an offense lines up to run a play without first huddling. This is done to either conserve time or catch the defense off-guard and prevent them from making substitutions.
Nose Guard/Nose Tackle
Lined up on the defensive line opposite the center, the nose guard pushes into the offensive line to disrupt or stop a play in the opponent's backfield or tries to keep the offense from gaining yardage on running plays. A nose guard is only used in a 3-4 defense (three defensive linemen and four linebackers).
Offense
The team that is in possession of the ball and is trying to score.
Offensive Backfield
The area behind the offensive line where the quarterback and running backs line up. The term refers to the offensive “backs” — the running back, halfback, fullback and quarterback — who line up in the area of the field.
Offensive Guard
Two guards line up on either side of the center on the offensive line and block oncoming pass rushers on passing plays or try to open running lanes for the running back on rushing plays.
Offensive Tackle
Two tackles line up at each end of the basic offensive line formation outside of the guards. Tackles protect the quarterback on passing plays by blocking the opponent’s pass rushers and try to open lanes for the running backs on rushing plays.
Official Time
The stadium electric clock is the official keeper of game time. The game clock operator starts and stops the clock after a play is ruled dead. If the stadium clock malfunctions, the side judge will serve as the primary timekeeper.
Officials
The third team on the field during an NFL game, the officials are the seven men or women that enforce the rules of the game. Each official has specific responsibilities that account for all players, areas on the field and aspects of an NFL game. Learn the NFL officials’ roles and responsibilities.
Offside
A player is offside when any part of his body is in the neutral zone or beyond the free kick line before the ball is put in play, resulting in a five-yard penalty.
Out Of Bounds
A player is out of bounds when he touches any boundary line or touches anything — except a player, an official, or a pylon — that is on or outside a boundary line.
Pads
The NFL requires every player to wear league-approved shoulder, thigh and knee pads under his uniform. Punters and placekickers may omit thigh and knee pads.
Passer
Any offensive player who attempts a forward pass.
Penalty
When either the offense or defense violates the rules of the game, they are assessed a penalty. The teams and fans know a penalty has been called when an official throws a yellow flag on the field.
Pitch
A long underhanded toss, usually using both hands, from the quarterback to a running back on running plays.
Placekick
A kick when a football is held stationary and upright, either by the “holder” or by a tee.
Placekicker
A specialized player who comes onto the field for field goals and extra point attempts and also kickoffs. A team could use one kicker for all situations, or it could have a more accurate placekicker who kicks the ball through the uprights and a stronger-legged kickoff specialist who kicks the ball deep downfield on kickoffs.
The area formed by the quarterback’s blockers to prevent defensive players from sacking him.
Possession
The team that controls the football and is attempting to advance downfield to score — or the player who is holding the ball during a play — has possession.
Punt
Almost always occurring on fourth down, a punt takes place when an offense is not likely to score or earn a first down. The offensive team will play it safe and punt the ball to its opponent and let its defense try to stop the opponent. A punt is a specific style of kick where the punter catches a snap from the long snapper, drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground.
Punt/Kick Returner
Typically fast and elusive, these players catch the football after his opponent punts or kicks off and then attempts to run the ball toward his opponent's end zone. His objective is either to return it all the way to the end zone to score a touchdown, or to set up his team’s offense as close to the opponent’s goal line as possible.
Punter
A special teams player who enters the game on fourth downs to kick the ball to the other team after his team fails to gain enough yards for a first down and is too far away from the goalposts to attempt a field goal.
Quarterback
The leader of an offense, the quarterback huddles his teammates and lets them know which plays to run. During a play, he receives the snap from the center and then tries to advance the football toward his opponent’s end zone by running with the ball, handing it to a running back or completing a forward pass to a receiver.
Quarters
Regulation time for all NFL games is 60 minutes and each game is divided into four 15-minute quarters.
Referee (R)
The referee, also known as the crew chief, is the leader of the officiating crew on and off the field. Lined up in the offensive backfield about 10–12 yards behind the line of scrimmage, the referee maintains the pace of the game, signals all fouls and counts the offensive players on the field. The referee is differentiated from the rest of the officials by wearing a white cap, is the final authority on all on-field rulings and consults with the Officiating Department in New York on replay reviews.
Runner
Any player who is in possession of, and trying to advance, the football toward his opponent’s goal line.
Running Back
Also called a halfback or a tailback, a running back is typically the primary ball carrier and the faster of the two backs lined up behind the quarterback in a standard formation. He can either run with the ball or catch a forward pass on an offensive play.
Safety (Position)
Lined up about 10–15 yards from the line of scrimmage in the defensive backfield, safeties defend against the pass, provide support on rushing plays and occasionally rush into the offensive backfield to disrupt the play.
Standard defenses feature two types of safeties:
- A free safety usually lines up farther away from the line of scrimmage and follows the ball, reacting to what the quarterback does. He is “free” to double cover another player and help the cornerback if needed.
- A strong safety typically lines up closer to the line of scrimmage opposite the “strong side" of the offense — the side on which the tight end lines up. He helps on passing plays and supports his teammates on rushing plays.
Safety (Score)
Worth two points, NFL defenses can score a safety by tackling the offensive player who has the football behind his own goal line or by making him run or fumble the ball out bounds behind his own goal line. It is also a safety if the offense commits a penalty in its own end zone.
Shift
The movement of two or more offensive players at the same time before the snap.
Side Judge (SJ)
The side judge serves as a backup for the official clock operator and serves as the primary timekeeper if clock malfunctions. Lined up in the defensive backfield, 20 yards downfield on the same side of the field as head linesman, the side judge counts the defensive players on field and signals the referee when time expires at end of each quarter.
Sideline
The area on either side of the field where players not currently playing in the game, medical and technical staff and league employees perform their jobs on game days.
Signals
The number and worded codes called by the quarterback in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage ahead of each play. Signals are also called by the defense, usually by a linebacker.
Snap
The action that starts a play from scrimmage. A snap occurs when the center passes the ball through his legs back to the quarterback, punter, or holder.
Snap Count
The signal called by the quarterback on which the ball is snapped to start a play from scrimmage.
Spot
The place on the field where the previous play ended or a penalty yardage was assessed where the referee places the ball. The spot establishes the line of scrimmage for the next play.
Spots of Enforcement
Where the referee places the ball to establish the line of scrimmage for the next play after penalty yardage is added or subtracted from the previous play.
Substitution
Each team is allowed to play with 11 men on the field. All players may leave or enter the game as long as the ball is dead, but all substitutions must be complete before the next play begins.
Tackle
A tackle occurs when a defensive player forces the player with the ball to the ground or out of bounds to stop the runner from advancing downfield and to end the play.
Tackle Box
The area of the offensive backfield between the two offensive tackles who line up at either end of the line of scrimmage.
Tight End
A tight end lines up on the end of the offensive line outside of the tackle and acts as an extra blocker on running plays or becomes a receiver on passing situations. A standard formation uses one tight end, though some offenses call for two.
Timeout
A game may be legally stopped at any time, either by one of the teams or by an official. Each team is granted three timeouts in each half of a game with which that can strategically stop the clock. Officials can also call timeouts as needed to measure first down yardage, if a player is injured, or when playing time is being used up by an unintentional delay.
Touchback
When a player downs the ball after a free kick behind his team’s own goal line, or the ball is kicked through the back of the end zone, the play is dead and the ball is spotted on the 25-yard line.
Touchdown
The most valuable score in the NFL worth six points. A player scores a touchdown if he carries the ball across the goal line into the other team’s end zone or catches the ball within the opponent’s end zone.
Turnover
When an opposing defense gains possession of the ball from the team on offense, usually by picking up a fumble or intercepting a forward pass.
Turnover on Downs
When an offensive team fails to gain enough yards to earn a first down and another set of downs, they turn over the ball “on downs” and the opposing team gains possession of the ball where the last play ended.
Two-Minute Warning
An automatic official timeout that occurs at the end of the last play that began before the game clock reaches the two-minute mark. The warning only occurs in the second and fourth quarters.
Two-Point Conversion
After scoring a touchdown, an offense can opt to run one play from the defense’s two-yard line to try to earn two additional points. The team earns the points if a runner carries the ball across the goal line or catches the ball within the end zone, just like scoring a touchdown.
Umpire (U)
The umpire maintains control at the line of scrimmage by watching for holding and blocking infractions. Lined up in the offensive backfield about 10–12 yards behind the line of scrimmage opposite the referee, the umpire also reviews players’ equipment, counts the number of offensive players on the field and marks off penalties.
Uniform
An NFL uniform includes all of the equipment a player wears on the field. This includes his helmet, pads and all protective gear, pants, jerseys, wristbands, gloves, stockings, shoes, undergarments and accessories like hand towels that are visible when a player takes the field. Every part of the uniform worn on game day either must be issued by the club or the league, or approved by the league.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Any non-contact act contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Unsportsmanlike conduct results in a 15-yard penalty.
Wide Receiver
Known for their speed and ability to catch the ball, wide receivers line up close to the sidelines on either side of the offensive line and run downfield and catch passes from the quarterback. A standard formation calls for two wide receivers, but some offenses use three or four at a time.
Wilson
Every football ever used in an NFL game since 1941 was hand sewn at the Wilson Sporting Goods factory in Ada, Ohio. The league’s signature football, “The Duke” is named after the late New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, whose nickname was Duke. Wilson provides NFL clubs with at least 24,960 official game footballs each season to use in games and practices.
Yard lines
The markings on the field used to measure distance on the football field. Yard lines are painted at five-yard intervals parallel to the goal lines.