Football Glossary
Glossary explained in plain English for parents learning Football.
| Term | Plain-English Meaning | Example | Also Known As |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down | One try for the offense to run a play and move the ball. | The offense gains four yards on first down and lines up for second down. | Try |
| Series | A set of downs the offense uses to reach the first-down marker or score. | The team earns a new series after reaching the marker. | Set of downs |
| First down | A fresh set of downs earned by reaching the required marker or by some penalties. | The runner crosses the marker, so the offense gets a first down. | New set |
| Line of scrimmage | The imaginary line through the ball where each play begins. | Both teams line up on their own side of the line of scrimmage. | LOS |
| Neutral zone | The space around the ball between the offensive and defensive lines before the snap. | A defender enters the neutral zone early and draws a whistle. | Zone |
| Snap | The action that starts the play when the center gives the ball to another offensive player. | The center snaps the ball to the quarterback. | Start |
| Handoff | A legal exchange where one offensive player gives the ball to a teammate. | The quarterback hands the ball to the running back. | Give |
| Completion | A forward pass that is legally caught by an offensive player. | The receiver catches the pass inbounds for a completion. | Catch |
| Incomplete pass | A forward pass that is not caught legally and usually ends the down. | The ball hits the ground, so the pass is incomplete. | Incomplete |
| Touchdown | A score when a player legally carries or catches the ball in the opponent's end zone. | The running back crosses the goal line for a touchdown. | TD |
| Extra point | A try after a touchdown for additional points, depending on league rules. | After the touchdown, the team lines up for an extra-point play. | Try;PAT |
| Field goal | A scoring kick through the uprights when the league uses field goals. | The team attempts a field goal before halftime. | Kick |
| Safety | A score for the defense when the offense is stopped with the ball in its own end zone, if the league uses this rule. | The ball carrier is tackled in the end zone and officials signal a safety. | Two-point safety |
| Fumble | A loose ball after a player loses possession before the play is over. | The runner drops the ball after contact and players try to recover it. | Loose ball |
| Interception | A pass caught by the defense instead of the offense. | A defensive back catches the pass and possession changes. | Pick |
| Turnover | A change of possession caused by an interception, fumble recovery, failed final down, or local rule. | The defense recovers the fumble for a turnover. | Takeaway |
| Offside | A player is on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. | A defender lines up across the ball before the snap. | Offsides |
| Encroachment | A defensive player enters the neutral zone and makes illegal contact or causes a reaction before the snap. | A defender jumps early and contacts the offensive line. | Neutral-zone foul |
| False start | An offensive player moves early in a way that simulates the start of the play. | A lineman flinches before the snap and the whistle blows. | Early movement |
| Holding | A player illegally grabs or restricts an opponent. | A blocker grabs a defender's jersey and officials call holding. | Grab |
| Pass interference | Illegal contact or obstruction that prevents a fair chance to catch a pass. | A defender grabs a receiver before the ball arrives. | PI |
| Delay of game | A penalty for taking too long to snap or restart after officials are ready. | The offense stays in the huddle too long and gets a delay call. | Delay |
| Personal foul | A serious contact or safety-related foul beyond normal legal play. | A late hit after the whistle draws a personal foul. | Safety foul |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct | Disrespectful or unsafe behavior by a player, coach, or sideline. | Officials call unsportsmanlike conduct after taunting. | Conduct foul |
| Field position | Where the ball is on the field and how that affects play choices. | Near its own goal line, the offense may call safer plays. | Ball location |
| Special teams | The group of plays involving kicks, punts, returns, field goals, or extra points when used. | The punt team comes on for fourth down. | Kicking game |