Football Terminology

1. Football Terminology • Definitions • Common Phrases / Terms by: Jeff Nease

2. Definitions • Flanker • Wide Receiver / Wide Out • Split End • Slot Receiver / Slot Man • Tight End

3. In the backfield 24 17 G Flanker 80 74 62 50 68 75 88 32 82 Flanker Flanker Receiver that is wide on either side of the formation. Can be on the line or back.

4. 50 In the backfield 24 17 G Wide receiver or wide out 80 74 62 68 75 88 32 82 Wide receiver or wide out Wide Receiver / Wide Out Receiver that is wide on either side of the formation. Can be on the line or back.

5. 50 In the backfield 24 17 G Split end 80 74 62 68 75 88 32 82 Split End Receiver that is wide on either side of the formation. Always on the line.

6. The Slot 82 50 The Slot In the backfield 80 24 17 G 74 62 68 75 88 32 Slot receiver or slot man Slot Receiver / Slot Man Receiver that is in the “slot” on either side of the formation. Can be on the line or back.

7. 82 50 In the backfield 80 24 17 G Tight end 74 62 68 75 88 32 Tight End Receiver that is next to the tackle on either side of the formation. Always on the line.

8. Common Phrases / Terms • He’s “covered” • They’re “cracking back” • They’re “chopping” me • “Check the ball” • Am I okay?

9. In the backfield 24 17 Eligible by number receiver , ineligible by position G 80 74 62 50 68 75 88 82 32 Eligible end who has “covered” eligible by number receiver He’s “covered” Eligible by number receiver not on the end of the line. An eligible receiver must either be an end or a back.

10. D 80 24 24 17 Receiver blocking back toward the ball. Watch for legality of block G 74 62 50 68 75 88 82 32 They’re “cracking back” Expression used when a wide out is moving back toward the ball against the flow and blocks a linebacker who may not see him coming. The act of cracking back is not illegal as long as the contact is legal. Blocks must be either from the front or side and above the waist.

11. 24 17 May legally block below the waist while ball is in zone Depending on his split, may legally block below waist G 80 74 62 50 68 75 88 82 32 They’re “chopping me” Expression used when a player gets blocked (cut) below the waist. This should not be confused with a chop block. A legal block below the waist may be made by lineman in the zone. A chop block is a delayed block at the knees or below against an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the blocker in the free blocking zone.

12. 82 75 62 50 68 88 24 44 LJ 80 19 73 20 Neutral Zone D D D D D D D “Check the ball” D An opportunity for the offending player to correct his position without drawing a cheap foul 30 “Check the ball” Expression used by officials to alert players that someone is encroaching, or to remind players to be aware of their positioning. This preventative officiating technique should be used before penalizing a team. Try to catch the offensive linemen before they get into their 3 point stance. Talk to the umpire to help with offensive alignments.

13. 82 75 62 50 68 24 44 LJ D 80 19 73 Indicate end is off line by extending arm, hold until snap. If player goes in motion drop arm Am I okay? 88 D D D D D D D 30 Am I okay? Question posed by wide outs to wing officials in reference to their positioning. Inform the player where the back of the ball is or his LOS. If the player is off the LOS, indicate by pointing into the backfield. Refrain from telling (coaching) the player to move up or back.

14. No-Man’s Land • Player Designations - Back • Rule 2, Section 30, Article 3: • “A back is any A player who has no part of his body breaking the plane of an imaginary line drawn parallel to the line of scrimmage through the waist of the nearest teammate who is legally on the line, except for the player under the snapper, who is also considered a back.”

15. No-Man’s Land • Player Designations - Lineman • Rule 2, Section 30, Article 9: • “A lineman is any A player who is facing his opponent’s goal line with the line of his shoulders approximately parallel thereto and with his head or foot breaking an imaginary plane drawn parallel to the line of scrimmage through the waist of the snapper when the ball is snapped.”

16. No-man’s land 88 80 75 62 50 68 24 44 Neutral Zone LJ 19 73 Line parallel to the LOS thru the waist of the nearest teammate who is legally on line Ineligible receiver, illegal formation No-man’s land 82 Line parallel to the LOS thru the waist of the snapper Eligible receiver, legal position Eligible receiver, legal position QB is the only exception 30 No-man’s land Area where a receiver is illegally neither on the LOS or in the backfield. Eligible receivers must be either on the LOS (in the area between their LOS and the plane thru the waist of the snapper) or entirely in the backfield (no part of their body breaking the plane thru the waist of the nearest teammate on the LOS).