Football Terms: A Glossary for New Fans
Updated November 9, 2026. Rules are based on the 2026 NFL rulebook.
Football has a language of its own. These are the words you are most likely to hear during a broadcast.
- Audible
- A play change the quarterback calls at the line after seeing how the defense has lined up.
- Backfield
- The area behind the line of scrimmage, where the quarterback and running backs line up.
- Blitz
- When a linebacker or defensive back joins the rush to reach the quarterback faster.
- Bye
- A week with no game. Each team has one in the regular season, and the top playoff seed gets one in the first round.
- Clock management
- Using timeouts, sideline passes and pace to save or burn time at the end of a half.
- Completion
- A forward pass that is caught by a teammate.
- Down
- A single play in a set of four. See how downs work.
- Drive
- One continuous possession by the offense, from the time it gets the ball until it scores or gives the ball up.
- End zone
- The 10-yard scoring area at each end of the field.
- Fair catch
- When a returner waves a hand to signal a catch with no return, and in exchange cannot be hit.
- Field goal
- A kick through the uprights, worth three points.
- First down
- Reaching the line to gain, which earns the offense a new set of four downs.
- Fumble
- When a ball carrier loses the ball before the play is over. Either team can recover it.
- Hail Mary
- A long, low-percentage pass thrown into a crowd at the end of a half or game.
- Handoff
- When the quarterback gives the ball directly to a teammate.
- Huddle
- The brief gathering where the offense or defense gets the next play call.
- Incomplete pass
- A forward pass that hits the ground or goes out of bounds. The clock stops.
- Interception
- A pass caught by a defender, which gives that team the ball.
- Kneel down
- When the quarterback takes a knee right after the snap to run out the clock.
- Line of scrimmage
- The imaginary line across the field where the ball sits before a play.
- Line to gain
- The yard line the offense must reach for a first down, shown on TV as a yellow line.
- Onside kick
- A short kickoff the kicking team tries to recover. Since 2026, teams can declare one at any time in a game.
- Play action
- A fake handoff meant to draw the defense forward before a pass.
- The protected space the offensive line forms around the quarterback on passing plays.
- Punt
- A kick, usually on fourth down, that sends the ball deep to the opponent.
- Red zone
- The area between the opponent's 20-yard line and its goal line.
- Sack
- Tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before a pass can be thrown.
- Safety
- Both a defensive position and a two-point score. See the scoring guide.
- Scramble
- When a quarterback leaves the pocket and runs to avoid pressure.
- Screen pass
- A short pass behind a wall of blockers, after the defense has been lured toward the quarterback.
- Shotgun
- A formation in which the quarterback takes the snap several yards behind the center.
- Snap
- The handing or tossing of the ball back from the center to begin a play.
- Touchback
- When a kick or a turnover ends in the end zone and the ball is brought out to a set yard line.
- Turnover
- Losing the ball to the other team through an interception, a fumble, or failing on fourth down.
- Two-minute drill
- A fast, no-huddle offense used at the end of a half.
- Wild card
- A playoff team that did not win its division.
Ready to see these in action? Browse the latest game pages, or start with how football works.