Football Terms
(Based on the game of football, class games may be different)
Offense
-Team in possession of the ball
Defense
-Team attempting to stop the ball from moving down the field
Quarterback
-Person who passes or throws the football
Receivers
-Person(s) attempting to catch the football
Center
-Person who hikes the football to the quarterback
Downs
-Attempts made by offensive team to score or move the ball down the field
The offensive team has 4 downs to get 10 yards. If they get ten yards they get a first down. If they do not get ten yards they must give up the ball.
Interception
-Ball caught by a defensive player
When does play begin?
-When the quarterback gives the signal for the center to hike the football
What direction(s) may the quarterback run and still throw the football to the receiver?
-Backwards or sideways
Explain the difference between a throwing play for the offense and a running play for the offense.
-Running plays are done without the quarterback throwing the football. (Hand off or pitch)
-Throwing plays involve the quarterback throwing to a receiver, and then the receiver
Possibly running the ball after the catch.
Line of scrimmage- the point on the field where a play starts. Typically determined by where the last play ended.
Scoring
A touchdown is scored in what part of the playing field?
-End zone-
A touch down (TD) is worth 6 points.
A Point After Touchdown (PAT) is scored when the kicker kicks the ball through the goal post. A PAT is 1 point.
Another way to score a point after a touch down is by a 2-point conversion. The ball is passed and caught into the end zone or run into the end zone.
A Safety is 2 points. It occurs when the offensive team is downed in their end zone.
A Field goal is 3 points. It occurs when the kicker kicks the ball between the goal post.