100 Words Every NFL Fan Should Know

No.	Term	Definition
1.	Audible	QB changes play at line of scrimmage.
2.	Backfield	Area behind line where QB and backs align.
3.	Ball Carrier	Player currently possessing the football.
4.	Blitz	Extra rushers attack quarterback to pressure pass.
5.	Blocking	Using body to impede defender’s path.
6.	Bootleg	QB rolls out after fake handoff.
7.	Breakaway Run	Long run with open field ahead.
8.	Bump-and-Run	Press coverage with contact near line.
9.	Bye Week	Scheduled week off with no game.
10.	Cadence	QB’s signals to start the snap.
11.	Catch Point	Spot where receiver meets the football.
12.	Challenge	Coach requests replay review of ruling.
13.	Chip Block	Brief hit to help tackle versus rusher.
14.	Clock Management	Strategic use of timeouts and tempo.
15.	Complete Pass	Legal forward pass caught in bounds.
16.	Contain	Maintain edge to stop outside runs.
17.	Cover 0	Man coverage with no deep safety help.
18.	Cover 2	Two deep safeties split deep field.
19.	Cover 3	Three deep defenders divide deep zones.
20.	Cover 4	Four deep defenders, often quarters coverage.
21.	Coverage	Defending receivers to prevent completions.
22.	Cutback	Runner reverses direction behind blockers.
23.	Defensive End	Edge lineman rushing passer and setting edge.
24.	Defensive Tackle	Interior lineman controlling gaps and rushing.
25.	Delay of Game	Penalty for failing to snap before play clock.
26.	Dime Package	Defense with six defensive backs.
27.	Down	One play attempt to advance the ball.
28.	Drive	Offensive possession series of plays.
29.	Dropback	QB retreats to pass after snap.
30.	Eligible Receiver	Player permitted to catch a forward pass.
31.	Encroachment	Defense enters neutral zone before snap.
32.	End Zone	Scoring area beyond goal line.
33.	Extra Point	One-point kick after touchdown.
34.	Fair Catch	Returner signals no return; protected from contact.
35.	False Start	Offense moves illegally before snap.
36.	Fumble	Loss of possession after ball comes loose.
37.	Go Route	Straight deep route aiming for big gain.
38.	Goal Line Stand	Defense stops offense near goal line.
39.	Gunner	Coverage player sprinting downfield on punts.
40.	Hail Mary	Desperation deep pass near end of half.
41.	Halfback	Primary running back in many offenses.
42.	Hands Team	Onside-kick unit with best ball handlers.
43.	Hard Count	QB cadence designed to draw offsides.
44.	Hash Marks	Field markings guiding ball placement between plays.
45.	Holding	Illegal grabbing that restricts opponent’s movement.
46.	Huddle	Players gather to receive play call.
47.	Hurry-Up Offense	Fast tempo to conserve time and tire defense.
48.	Incompletion	Forward pass not caught in bounds.
49.	Interception	Defense catches pass intended for offense.
50.	Jet Sweep	Receiver motion handoff running across formation.
51.	Juke	Deceptive move to make defender miss.
52.	Kickoff	Free kick starting each half and after scores.
53.	Kneel-Down	QB takes knee to run out clock.
54.	Lateral	Backward or parallel pass; live ball.
55.	Line of Scrimmage	Imaginary line where ball is snapped.
56.	Linebacker	Second-level defender versus run and pass.
57.	Man Coverage	Defenders assigned to specific receivers.
58.	Mike Linebacker	Middle linebacker; often defensive signal caller.
59.	Misdirection	Play action designed to fool defenders’ keys.
60.	Motion	Pre-snap movement by an offensive player.
61.	Muff	Failed catch of kick; ball becomes loose.
62.	Neutral Zone	Space between offensive and defensive lines.
63.	Nickel Package	Defense with five defensive backs.
64.	No-Huddle	Offense skips huddle to speed tempo.
65.	Offensive Line	Five blockers protecting QB and opening lanes.
66.	Offsides	Player crosses line before snap.
67.	Onside Kick	Short kickoff attempt recovered by kicking team.
68.	Option Play	QB reads defender to keep or pitch.
69.	Pass Interference	Illegal contact restricting receiver’s chance to catch.
70.	Pass Rush	Defensive effort to pressure the quarterback.
71.	Pick-Six	Interception returned for a touchdown.
72.	Picket Fence	Return-team wall of blockers for kick return.
73.	Play-Action	Run fake to create passing opportunities.
74.	Pocket	Protected area around QB for passing.
75.	Punt	Kick on fourth down to change field position.
76.	Quarterback	Offensive leader who throws or hands off.
77.	Quarterback Sneak	Quick QB run straight ahead on short yardage.
78.	Quarters Coverage	Cover 4; four deep defenders split field.
79.	Red Zone	Offense inside opponent’s 20-yard line.
80.	Return	Advancing a kick or punt after catch.
81.	Route Tree	Standard set of receiver route patterns.
82.	RPO	Run-pass option read after the snap.
83.	Running Back	Back who runs, blocks, and catches.
84.	Sack	QB tackled behind line on passing play.
85.	Safety	Deep defender; also two-point defensive score.
86.	Scramble	QB runs after play breaks down.
87.	Screen Pass	Short pass with blockers set up ahead.
88.	Shotgun	QB alignment several yards behind center.
89.	Sideline Catch	Reception near boundary requiring in-bounds control.
90.	Snap	Center passes ball to start the play.
91.	Special Teams	Units for kicks, punts, and returns.
92.	Spike	QB throws ball down to stop clock.
93.	Stiff-Arm	Ball carrier pushes defender away with hand.
94.	Stunt	Coordinated rush exchange between defenders.
95.	Tackle	Bringing ball carrier to ground by contact.
96.	Tight End	Hybrid blocker and receiver aligned near line.
97.	Touchback	Ball downed in end zone; brought to 25/20.
98.	Touchdown	Six-point score by reaching end zone.
99.	Two-Minute Drill	Up-tempo offense near end of half.
100.	Two-Point Conversion	Try from short distance after touchdown for two.