Football Vocabulary
Across
- 5. The four defensive players who defend against the pass and line up behind the linebackers and wide on the corners of the field opposite the receivers.
- 8. The human wall of five men who block for and protect the quarterback and ball carriers. Every line has a center (who snaps the ball), two guards, and two tackles.
- 10. When the 11 players on the field come together to discuss strategy between plays.
- 11. a kick worth 3 points that can be taken from anywhere on the field
- 13. A 10-yard-long area at each end of the field. You score a touchdown when you enter the end zone in control of the football.
- 15. A score, worth two points, that the defense earns by tackling an offensive player in possession of the ball in his own end zone.
- 17. A pass that’s caught by a defensive player, ending the offense’s possession of the ball.
- 18. When the player returning a punt waves his extended arm from side to side over his head. After signaling for a fair catch, a player can’t run with the ball, and those attempting to tackle him can’t touch him
- 20. The series of plays when the offense has the football, until it punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the ball
- 21. A score, worth six points, that occurs when a player in possession of the ball crosses the plane of the opponent’s goal line, when a player catches the ball while in the opponent’s end zone, or when a defensive player recovers a loose ball in the opponent’s end zone.
- 22. A kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it falls toward his foot
- 23. the act of giving the ball to another player, usually between the quarterback and running back
Down
- 1. The act of losing possession of the ball while running with it or being tackled.
- 2. The group of offensive players — the running backs and quarterback — who line up behind the line of scrimmage
- 3. teams The 22 players who are on the field during kicks and punts. These units have special players who return punts and kicks, as well as players who are experts at covering kicks and punts.
- 4. A forward pass that falls to the ground because no receiver could catch it, or a pass that a receiver dropped or caught out of bounds.
- 6. The unofficial area from the 20-yard line to the opponent’s goal line. Holding an opponent to a field goal in this area is considered a moral victory for the defense
- 7. A free kick (meaning the receiving team can’t make an attempt to block it) that puts the ball into play.
- 9. To advance the ball by running, not passing.
- 12. An imaginary line that extends from where the football is placed at the end of a play to both sides of the field. Neither the offense nor the defense can cross the line until the football is put in play again
- 14. a kick taken after a touchdown. Worth only 1 point
- 15. The action in which the ball is hiked (tossed between the legs) by the center to the quarterback, to the holder on a kick attempt, or to the punter.
- 16. When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage.
- 19. The act of receiving a kick or punt and running toward the opponent’s goal line with the intent of scoring or gaining significant yardage.
- 20. A period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead (meaning the play is completed)
- 23. Marks The lines on the center of the field that signify 1 yard on the field.