NFL GLOSSARY
NFL Positions
Offense- The players who try to score
Quarter Back- The ball thrower
Offensive Line- The players who protect the QB or try to create holes for the RB
Centre- OL who snaps the ball
Guard- Each side of the centre
Tackle- Each side of the Guard
Running Back- Runs the ball
Full Back- heavier running back to smash short yardage or create a hole for the RB
Tight End- Lines up outside the Tackle. Big bodies used for medium yardage throws or to protect the QB
Wide Receivers- The main pass catchers
No1 WR- Your best WR is fast, good catchers who can play anywhere and can compete for any ball. They are rare
No2 WR- Your next best WR, not as able to play in any position and usually a specialist in one position e.g. Slot WR
Defense- The players who try and stop the Offense scoring
Defensive Line- The players who line up opposite the OL
Tackle- DT usually line up to the side of the OL Centre and are mainly run blockers
Nose tackle- DL man who lines up opposite the Centre
Defensive End- lines up outside the DT. Are usually Pass Rushers. The best Pass Rushers are the elite 3 Technique DE
Line Backers- Line up behind the DL and are used to stop the run or the short pass
Middle Line Backer- Lines up directly behind the LOS- described as the QB of the Defense
Strong Side Line Backer- Lines up on the side of the TE. Is therefore bigger and more of a run stopper
Weak Side Line Backer- Lines up on the side where there is no TE. Is often lighter and guards against the pass
Inside and Outside Line Backers- ILB stop the run, OLB are used to blitz or cover the Slot
Corner Backs- CB cover the sides of the field
Safeties- S are Defensive Backs that are free to roam and add back up
Free Safeties- are lighter, faster, deeper players that are usually the last line of Defense
Strong Safeties- Are heavier harder hitting Safeties that line up in the Box ready to stop the run or Slot WR
NFL Terms
Run Block- Pushes DL out of the way of the ball carrier
Pass Block- OL steps back to put a pocket around the QB
Lead Block- The player who precedes the RB
Pull- OL player moves laterally to block elsewhere
Lateral- A backward pass or Pitch
Toss- RB curves outwards and QB pitches the ball to him
Sweep- A general move laterally by the OL often both G pulling and a FB leading the way for RB
Trap- The furthest G from the run will block and the FB takes his place
Counter- RB fakes his actual direction and the OL moves in his actual direction
Draw- The OL moves in to a Pass Block position but the QB hands off to a RB
Bootleg- QB fakes a hand off to a RB, and moves in the opposite direction
Reverse- Resembles a sweep, but the RB hands off to a WR going in the opposite direction
End Around- WR takes a handoff from the QB
Run Option- QB hands off to RB before he's tackled
Shotgun- QB stands further back from the LOS usually indicating a pass play, but could be a base formation for some teams
Slot- Area from LOS to outside WR. If you line up in that area you are a Slot CB or Slot WR
Box- Area behind the DL
Passing Plays
Go or Fly- A deep route by a fast WR
Post- A deep play where WR angles to the posts after running straight first
Flag or Corner Route- Deep route WR angles to the Corners
Out- Short run then WR runs 90 to the sideline
In or Drag- WR runs straight then 90 in to the centre
Slant- 2 steps forward then WR cuts diagonally across the field in front of S and behind LB
Hook or Hitch- WR runs a predetermined route then stops and waits for throw
Arrow- Receiver runs behind the DL
Option- WR start in one play then change route
Screen Pass- A safe throw where QB throws to WR/RB behind the LOS or slightly downfield
Bubble Screen- WR bunch on one side and whoever gets open gets thrown the ball
Play Action- Fake run play where RB appears to be getting the ball but the QB throws instead
Flea Flicker- Extreme Play Action where RB gets the ball but before crossing the LOS throws it back to the QB who throws downfield
Defensive Plays
Pass Rush- Defense rushes QB with LB
Blitz- DL rushes QB
Zone- DB and LB responsible for an area of the field often for Interceptions or against long pass
3 Technique- DL premier pass rusher who attacks the B Gap between G and T
1 Gap Technique- In 4 man DL the DL attacks one hole to stop the run
2 Gap Technique- DL is responsible for covering A and B Gap. These DL men are usually huge!
Offensive Formations
Run-Pass Option- Play is designed for the run or pass. QB decides as it unfolds
T-Formation- QB behind LOS. 3 RB behind QB. Power T has TE on LOS
I-Formation- QB behind LOS with FB then RB behind QB
Single Set Back- RB 5 yards behind QB. 2 WR with Slot WR hitting the box behind the DL
Shot Gun- QB lines up 5 yards behind C
Pistol- QB slightly closer to LOS than in Shot Gun
Wildcat- RB or WR lines up as QB and QB lines up as WR
Wishbone- WR replaces one or both TE. FB behind QB and RB off to side. QB hands off to FB, pitches to RB or runs himself
Empty Backfield- All WR no TE usually Shot Gun and a deep play
Spread- As above, spreads the field so could favour a RB, but usually a passing play
11 Personnel- 1 RB, 1 TE, 3WR
12 Personnel- 0 RB, 2 TE, 2 WR
13 Personnel- 0 RB, 3 TE, 1 WR
21 Personnel- 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 WR
22 Personnel- 2 RB, 2 TE, 1 WR
Defensive Formations
4-3 Base Defense- 4 DL, 3 LB, 2 CB, 1 SS, 1 FS
4-3 Under- LB shift more to the Strong Side (left D side)
4-3 Over- LB shift more to the Weak Side (right D side)
4-3Umbrella- DE falls back to a crescent shape in pass coverage
3-4 Base Defense- 3 DL, 4 LB. This usually requires speed from DL so are often smaller
4-4 Defense- 4 DL 4 LB, usually designed to stop the run
Nickel Defense- 5 DL with an extra CB brought up known as the Nickel Back or Slot CB
Dime Defense- Removes 2 LB and replaces with extra DB
Umbrella Defense- 3 DL, 3 LB, 2 CB, 2 SS, 1 FS
Cover 1- Man-Man cover for DB apart from FS who plays deep and reacts to play
Cover 2- 2 safeties cover one half of the field deep. CB stay in man cover.
Cover 3- Both CB and FS cover deep 1/3 field each. SS plays as LB in the Box. Good against deep plays and the run, but gives up short yardage- "Bend, but not Break" philosophy
Cover 4- 4 deep DB to stop deep throws usually at the end of each halfEnter your text here...