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American Football Rules and Terms
Scoring, downs, positions and penalties in American football.
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66 cards
- Players on the field per teamTerm11
- TouchdownTermCarrying or catching the ball in the end zone; worth 6 points
- Extra point (PAT)TermA kick after a touchdown worth 1 point
- Two-point conversionTermA run or pass after a touchdown worth 2 points
- Field goalTermA kick through the uprights worth 3 points
- SafetyTermTackling an offensive player with the ball in his own end zone; worth 2 points
- DownTermOne of four tries to move the ball 10 yards
- First downTermA new set of four downs after gaining 10 yards
- Line of scrimmageTermThe imaginary line where the ball is placed before a play
- SnapTermThe center passes the ball back to start a play
- QuarterbackTermThe player who throws or hands off the ball
- Running backTermThe player who runs with the ball
- Wide receiverTermA player who runs routes to catch passes
- Tight endTermA player who blocks and catches passes
- Offensive lineTermFive linemen who block for the offense
- CenterTermOffensive lineman who snaps the ball
- GuardTermOffensive lineman next to the center
- Tackle (offense)TermOffensive lineman at the end of the line
- Defensive lineTermPlayers who rush the passer and stop runs
- LinebackerTermDefender behind the line who tackles and covers
- CornerbackTermDefender who covers wide receivers
- Safety (position)TermDeep defender who prevents long plays
- KickerTermThe player who kicks field goals and extra points
- PunterTermThe player who kicks the ball away on fourth down
- PuntTermA kick given up on fourth down to give the other team the ball far away
- KickoffTermThe kick that starts each half and follows scores
- TouchbackTermThe ball is downed in the end zone on a kick; the offense then starts at a set spot that the rules decide
- FumbleTermLosing control of the ball while running
- InterceptionTermA defender catches a pass thrown by the offense
- SackTermTackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage
- Incomplete passTermA forward pass that hits the ground or goes out of bounds
- CompletionTermA caught forward pass
- HandoffTermThe quarterback gives the ball to a running back
- HuddleTermPlayers gather to hear the play call
- AudibleTermA play change called at the line by the quarterback
- BlitzTermExtra defenders rush the quarterback
- PenaltyTermA rule violation costing yards
- OffsidesTermA player crossing the line of scrimmage before the snap
- False startTermAn offensive player moves before the snap
- HoldingTermIllegally grabbing a player
- Pass interferenceTermIllegally contacting a receiver trying to catch a pass
- Delay of gameTermFailing to snap the ball in time
- Roughing the passerTermHitting the quarterback late or too hard
- FlagTermA yellow cloth thrown by referees to mark a penalty
- Field lengthTerm100 yards plus two 10-yard end zones
- End zoneTermThe scoring area at each end of the field
- GoalpostsTermThe yellow uprights where field goals are kicked
- Hash marksTermShort lines marking where the ball is spotted
- Quarter length (NFL)Term15 minutes
- Number of quartersTerm4
- HalftimeTermBreak between the second and third quarters
- OvertimeTermExtra time when the score is tied
- TimeoutTermA stop in the clock
- Two-minute warningTermA stop at 2 minutes left in each half (NFL)
- Super BowlTermNFL championship game, first played in 1967
- NFLTermNational Football League, formed 1920
- Heisman TrophyTermAward for the best college football player
- Touchdown celebrationTermA celebration after scoring; keep it sporting
- Flag footballTermA non-contact version where players pull flags instead of tackling
- Tackle footballTermPlayers bring down runners with their bodies
- SpiralTermA pass that spins tightly in flight
- PocketTermThe protected area where the quarterback stands to pass
- Play-actionTermA fake handoff before a pass
- Screen passTermA short pass behind the line with blockers in front
- Hail MaryTermA very long desperate pass in the last seconds
- GridironTermAnother word for a football field
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