Players on the field per team: 11
Touchdown: Carrying or catching the ball in the end zone; worth 6 points
Extra point (PAT): A kick after a touchdown worth 1 point
Two-point conversion: A run or pass after a touchdown worth 2 points
Field goal: A kick through the uprights worth 3 points
Safety: Tackling an offensive player with the ball in his own end zone; worth 2 points
Down: One of four tries to move the ball 10 yards
First down: A new set of four downs after gaining 10 yards
Line of scrimmage: The imaginary line where the ball is placed before a play
Snap: The center passes the ball back to start a play
Quarterback: The player who throws or hands off the ball
Running back: The player who runs with the ball
Wide receiver: A player who runs routes to catch passes
Tight end: A player who blocks and catches passes
Offensive line: Five linemen who block for the offense
Center: Offensive lineman who snaps the ball
Guard: Offensive lineman next to the center
Tackle (offense): Offensive lineman at the end of the line
Defensive line: Players who rush the passer and stop runs
Linebacker: Defender behind the line who tackles and covers
Cornerback: Defender who covers wide receivers
Safety (position): Deep defender who prevents long plays
Kicker: The player who kicks field goals and extra points
Punter: The player who kicks the ball away on fourth down
Punt: A kick given up on fourth down to give the other team the ball far away
Kickoff: The kick that starts each half and follows scores
Touchback: The ball is downed in the end zone on a kick; the offense then starts at a set spot that the rules decide
Fumble: Losing control of the ball while running
Interception: A defender catches a pass thrown by the offense
Sack: Tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage
Incomplete pass: A forward pass that hits the ground or goes out of bounds
Completion: A caught forward pass
Handoff: The quarterback gives the ball to a running back
Huddle: Players gather to hear the play call
Audible: A play change called at the line by the quarterback
Blitz: Extra defenders rush the quarterback
Penalty: A rule violation costing yards
Offsides: A player crossing the line of scrimmage before the snap
False start: An offensive player moves before the snap
Holding: Illegally grabbing a player
Pass interference: Illegally contacting a receiver trying to catch a pass
Delay of game: Failing to snap the ball in time
Roughing the passer: Hitting the quarterback late or too hard
Flag: A yellow cloth thrown by referees to mark a penalty
Field length: 100 yards plus two 10-yard end zones
End zone: The scoring area at each end of the field
Goalposts: The yellow uprights where field goals are kicked
Hash marks: Short lines marking where the ball is spotted
Quarter length (NFL): 15 minutes
Number of quarters: 4
Halftime: Break between the second and third quarters
Overtime: Extra time when the score is tied
Timeout: A stop in the clock
Two-minute warning: A stop at 2 minutes left in each half (NFL)
Super Bowl: NFL championship game, first played in 1967
NFL: National Football League, formed 1920
Heisman Trophy: Award for the best college football player
Touchdown celebration: A celebration after scoring; keep it sporting
Flag football: A non-contact version where players pull flags instead of tackling
Tackle football: Players bring down runners with their bodies
Spiral: A pass that spins tightly in flight
Pocket: The protected area where the quarterback stands to pass
Play-action: A fake handoff before a pass
Screen pass: A short pass behind the line with blockers in front
Hail Mary: A very long desperate pass in the last seconds
Gridiron: Another word for a football field

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/sports-football-rules-terms