All the terms and rules you need to know ahead of Super Bowl 2022

American football can be a confusing sport, with more than its fair share of unfamiliar terms and rules. But with the Super Bowl 2022 on the horizon, now is the perfect time to brush up on your NFL termonology.

So, from fouls to formations, we have created a thorough guide which you can consult at any time to hgelp you understand the game.

Glossary of American football terms

The basics

Block: When a player stops another using their body.

Carry: When a player attempts to run with the ball.

Chain: The 10-yard long set of chains used to measure downs.

Cover: An attempt by a defensive player to stop a receiver from catching a pass.

Dead ball: When the ball is no longer in play.

Down: The part of the game between the moment the ball is snapped and when it becomes dead. The offensive team has four downs to move the ball at least 10 yards down the field.

Down by contact: When any part of a ball carrier's body other than the feet, hands or arms touches the ground as a result of contact from an opposing player, or when a ball carrier is already on the ground and is touched by an opposing player. When a player is judges to be down by contact the ball goes dead.

Drive: A term used to describe the offensive team moving down the field in a single possession, made up of at least one series.

Flag: A yellow cloth thrown by officials to indicate a foul. Coaches also have red flags which they can throw to challenge a call.

Free kick: The kick made to put the ball into play as a kickoff or after a safety.

Fumble: When the ball carrier accidentally loses possession of a live ball. When an opponent causes this to happen, it is called a forced fumble.

Handoff: When a player hands the ball to another player.

Huddle: When the on-field members of a team come together to discuss the next play.

Incomplete pass: A forward pass which no player catches.

Interception/pick: When a pass is caught by an opposing player.

Kickoff: The free kick which starts each half, or restarts the game after a touchdown or field goal.

Pass protection: Offensive players including the linemen, tight ends and backs blocking opposing players from getting to the quarterback. 

Passing yards: The number of yards a passer has thrown the ball from the line of scrimmage, plus how far the receivers have taken it after the catch.

Play clock: Used to measure the amount of time allowed between plays. It counts down from 40 seconds once the ball goes dead, or 25 if after a timeout or other forced stoppage.

Punt: When the punter is snapped the ball, lets it drop and kicks it downfield before it hits the ground. Used on fourth down when the offensive team is outside field goal range.

Quarter: One of four 15-minute periods which make up the game.

Reception: When a player catches the ball beyond the line of scrimmage.

Rush: A running play.

Sack: When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.

Series: A sequence of downs ending in a new first down, score or loss of possession.

Snap: The pass back or hand-off from the center, usually to the quarterback, which starts a play.

Three-and-out: When a team fails to gain a new first down after the first three plays of a drive, and is forced to punt.

Turnover: When one team loses the ball to the other during a play.

Two-minute warning: A free time out given to both teams when there are two minutes left in the half.

Yards from scrimmage: The number of yards a team has progressed the ball from the line of scrimmage.

Players

Center (C): The player in the middle of the offensive line who snaps the ball to the quarterback and blocks opposing defenders from getting to him.

Cornerback (CB): A defensive player who lines up across from a wide receiver near the line of scrimmage, with the aim of intercepting or breaking up a pass, or containing a rusher.

Defensive back (DB): A collective term for cornerbacks and safeties.

Defensive end (DE): A defensive player who lines up on the end of the defensive line whose main aim is to sack or pressure the opposing quarterback.

Defensive tackle (DT): A defensive player who lines up on the inside of the defensive line whose main job is to contain rushing plays.

Eligible receiver: Any offensive player who may legally catch a forward pass. 

Free safety (FS): A defensive player who lines up deep behind the line of scrimmage and is tasked with defending against passes and tackling in coverage.

Front seven: The collective term for the defensive linemen and linebackers.

Fullback (FB): An offensive player who lines up deep behind the quarterback, and tends to be used more as a blocker than a rusher.

Guard (G): An offensive lineman who lines up inside the right or left tackle. There will be one guard on each side of the line.

Halfback (HB): Another name for a running back or fullback.

Holder: The player who holds the ball upright for a place kick.

Interior offensive line: A collective term for the center and guards.

Kicker (K): The player who kicks field goals and takes kickoffs.

Kick returner: A player who specialises in catching kickoffs and running the ball back up the field.

Linebacker (LB): A defensive player who will stand behind the defensive linemen, who should be able to tackle, rush the passer and drop back to help with pass protection.

Lineman: Can refer to either an offensive or defensive lineman - one of the players who will line up near the ball along the line of scrimmage.

Long snapper (LS): A specialist player who snaps the ball back to the kicker for field goal attempts or punts.

Nickel back/nickel corner: A fifth defensive back usually brought in for added pass protection.

Nose tackle: A player on the defensive line who lines up opposite the center on a three-man line.

Punter (P): A specialist player who punts the ball downfield for the offensive team.

Quarterback (QB): The offensive player who lines up behind the center, takes the snap and then will direct the play.

Running back (RB): An offensive player who lines up behind or beside the quarterback and is used to either run the ball from the backfield, block to protect the quarterback or catch the ball as a receiver. Also called a tailback (TB).

Safety (S): A type of defensive back. You can have a strong safety (SS) whose job is mainly to stop the run and defend against backs in the passing game, and lines up of the 'strong' side of the field, where the tight end is. There is also a free safety (FS) who tends to cover the quarterback, but will often end up covering receivers in pass protection and occasionally blitzing.

Scatback: A running back who tends to be fast and elusive.

Secondary: A general term used to describe the cornerbacks and safeties in the backfield.

Slot receiver: A wide receiver who lines up in the slot - between the receivers standing out wide and the offensive line.

Special teams: The unit of players that is on the field during kickoffs, field goal attempts, punts and free kicks.

Tight end (TE): An offensive player who lines up at the end of the offensive line, and can either be used as a blocker or an additional receiver.

Wide receiver (WR): An offensive player who lines up wide of the line of scrimmage and is used primarily to catch the ball.

X-receiver: The wide receiver who lines up as a split end on the line of scrimmage.

Y-receiver: The third receiver, who is either the slot receiver or tight end.

Z-receiver: The wide receiver who lines up off the line of scrimmage.

The field

Backfield: The area of the field behind the line of scrimmage. Also refers to players on offense who line up behind the line of scrimmage, so the quarterback, running back and fullback.

Box: The area on the defensive side of the ball directly opposite the offensive line about five yards away.

Coffin corner: The area in the corner of the field between the 10-yard line and the end zone. Punters will aim to kick the ball out of bounds here to give their opponents a disadvantageous starting position.

End zone: The area between the end line and the goal line, where a touchdown can be scored.

Flat: The area on the defensive side of the ball between the line of scrimmage and 10 yards back, and 15 yards inside each sideline.

Gain line: Where the offensive team need to get the ball to to get a new set of downs.

Goal: The space above the crossbar and between the posts, where the kicker is aiming for to score points.

Goal line: The line which marks the start of the end zone.

Line of scrimmage: The line horizontally across the pitch where the ball starts at the beginning of a play. Each team's line is denoted by the end of the ball closest to their own end zone.

Neutral zone: The space between the lines of scrimmage.

Pocket: The area behind the offensive line where the quarterback lines up, and tends to pass from. Also the area the offensive line are trying to protect.

Red zone: The area between the 20-yard line and the goal line.

Sideline: The edge of the field.

Slot: The area between a receiver lined up wide and the offensive line.

Strong side: Usually the side where the tight end lines up, or where there are the most offensive players.

Weak side: The side with the fewest offensive players.

Formations

3-4 defense: A defensive formation made up of three linemen and four linebackers.

4-3 defense: A defensive formation made up of four linemen and three linebackers.

Pistol: Where the quarterback lines up roughly three yards behind the center to receive the snap, with the running back directly behind him.

Shotgun: Where the quarterback lines up five to eight yards behind the center to receive the snap.

Split-T: An offensive line formation where the gap between the guards and tackles is around twice that of the guards and center.

Spread offense: When an offense has several receivers spread across the field, making sure the defensive team must cover the whole width of the pitch.

T-formation: Where three backs line up behind the quarterback, making a T shape.

Under center: When the quarterback lines up right behind the center to take the snap.

Wildcat: A formation in which either the quarterback or running back can take a direct snap. The quarterback will sometimes also be lined up as a receiver.

Point scoring

Chip shot: Used to refer to a short-distance field goal - usually under 25 yards.

Extra point: The one-point score made when the kicker successfully converts the kick taken after a touchdown is scored.

Field goal: A three-point score made when a kicker successfully kicks the ball between the posts.

Kick six: A field goal which is blocked and returned for a touchdown.

PAT/point after touchdown/try: The single point scored by the kicker when converting after a touchdown.

Pick six: When a defensive player intercepts a pass and returns it for a touchdown.

Safety: When an offensive player is tackled in his own end zone, forced out of bounds in his own end zone, or forced to fumble out of his own end zone. Worth two points.

Touchdown: When a player enters the end zone in possession of the ball or gains possession of the ball inside the end zone. Worth six points.

Try: The opportunity a team gets to score either one or two extra points after a touchdown. The team may either attempt a field goal with the line of scrimmage on the 15-yard line for one point or a two-point conversion with the line of scrimmage on the two-yard line.

Two-point conversion: A try where the line of scrimmage is set at the two-yard line and the offensive team must get the ball into the end zone as they would if they were attempting to score a touchdown. Worth two points, unsurprisingly.

Plays

Audible: When a quarterback makes a play call at the line of scrimmage, adjusting the original call made in the huddle.

Blitz: When one or more defensive linemen and/or linebackers who would usually remain behind the line of scrimmage rush to get to the opposing quarterback.

Bootleg: When a quarterback fakes handing the ball off to a running back, then runs to the opposite side of the pretend ball carrier and either passes or continues to run.

Bubble screen: When the quarterback throws to a receiver lined up wide on either side on the line of scrimmage immediately after the snap.

Buttonhook (also hook route, dig route): A route where a receiver runs straight upfield, then turns sharply and runs directly back towards the line of scrimmage.

Cake block/pancake block: When a blocker pushes someone to the ground with their block.

Checkdown: A short pass made by the quarterback to a running back to tight end to avoid getting sacked.

Comeback route: When a receiver runs straight upfield, then turns and back and runs toward the sideline at a 45-degree angle with the aim of running out of bounds.

Crossing route: When a receiver runs across the field of play widthwise. Drag and slant routes are both crossing routes.

Cut block: When an offensive player blocks a defensive player legally below the waist, with the aim of making them fall over.

Direct snap: When the center snaps it to a player other than the quarterback.

Draw play: When a quarterback drops back as if to pass, but instead runs or hands the ball off to a back.

End around: When the quarterback hands the ball off to a wide receiver, who carries the ball down the opposite side of the field to where they lined up.

Hail Mary: When a quarterback takes a long shot towards a group of receivers in or near the end zone, usually at the end of the game when his team is trailing.

Kneel: When a player receives the snap and kneels, which ends the play but keeps the clock running. Most often used by a team in the lead to run out the remaining seconds at the end of a game. Also called victory formation.

Lateral: A backward pass - the offensive team can make as many of these during a play as they wish.

Onside kick: When the kicker deliberately kicks the ball short in the hope their own players can recover it. Usually used when a team is behind late in the game.

Play action: When the quarterback fakes either a pass or a hand off to try to deceive the defense.

Post pattern: A route where the receiver will run eight to ten yards, fake a turn back to the quarterback, then continue to run deep and towards the middle of the field.

Pump fake: When a quarterback fakes a pass but keeps hold of the ball.

Punt return: When a player catches a punt and runs it back down the field to improve field position for his offense. A punt return can also be taken all the way for a touchdown.

Quarterback sneak: When the quarterback attempts to score a touchdown or gain a first down from a very short yardage situation by taking the snap and running/diving right behind his center.

Read option: A running play set up so the quarterback has the choice of either handing the ball off to a back or running himself.

Reverse: When the running back takes the ball from the quarterback, runs one way across the field, but then hands off or pops it to a receiver running in the opposite direction.

RPO/run-pass option: A play set up so the quarterback has the option of either handing off to a runner, passing the ball or running himself.

Scramble/quarterback scramble: When a passing play is planned, but the quarterback ends up have to run from the pocket to avoid being sacked. They may then pass or decide to try and run to gain yardage.

Screen pass: A short pass to a receiver - usually a back - who has a 'screen' of blockers in front of him.

Slant route: Where the receiver will run straight downfield, then cut 45 degrees back towards the quarterback.

Spike: When the quarterback throws to ball to the ground right in front of them straight after a snap, losing a down. This does not count as intentional grounding, and is used to run down the clock at the end of games.

Sweep: A designed running play where the running back will one to run side covered by a number of blockers.

Throwaway: When the quarterback deliberately throws the ball out of bounds to avoid a sack.

Touchback: When a player touches the ball down on the ground or drops to one knee inside their own end zone after a kickoff or punt. This results in the receiving team starting with the ball in their own 25-yard line.

Wheel route: A route where a receiver - usually a running back, runs parallel to the line of scrimmage in the backfield before turning and running upfield.

Zone read: When a quarterback lines up alongside the running back, takes the snap and motions to hand the ball off. Whether he hands the ball off or keeps it himself depends on how he reads the defense.

Fouls

Automatic first down: For some defensive fouls - such as pass interference - the offense is awarded a brand new set of downs, so is effectively given an automatic first down.

Chop block: When an offensive player blocks an opponent below the knee when a teammate is already blocking them above the waist. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards.

Clipping: When a player blocks an opponent from behind below the waist. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards.

Dead ball foul: A foul committed before or after an active play.

Defensive holding: When a defensive player grabs onto an opponent's body or uniform and does not made an attempt to catch the ball. Penalty: Loss of five yards, automatic first down.

Delay of game: When the offensive team doesn't put the ball into play before the play clock runs out. Penalty: Loss of five yards.

Encroachment: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped. Penalty: Loss of five yards.

Face mask: When an opponent grab's an opponent's face mask on their helmet. Penalty: Loss of 15 yards.

False start: When an offensive player - normally a lineman - moves before the ball is snapped. Penalty: Loss of five yards.

Illegal formation: When the offense doesn't have exactly seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage for at least one count before the ball is snapped. Penalty: Loss of five yards.

Illegal motion: When a player on offense is moving forwards at the time of the snap. Penalty: Loss of five yards.

Intentional grounding: When the quarterback deliberately throws the ball to the ground while inside the pocket without giving anyone the opportunity to catch it in order to conserve time or avoid a sack. Penalty: Loss of down and loss of 10 yards from the spot of the foul, or a safety if the foul occurs inside the end zone.

Offensive holding: When a player on offense blocks a defender by grabbing hold of their body or uniform. Penalty: Loss of 10 yards.

Offside: When a player encroaches over the restraining line before or just as the ball is put into play. Penalty: Loss of five yards, replay of down.

Pass interference: When a player prevents an opponent from getting to the ball by holding or illegally blocking them. It can be caused by both the offensive and defensive team. Penalty for offensive pass interference: Loss of 10 yards. Penalty for defensive pass interference: Automatic first down from the spot of the foul/from the one-yard line if the foul occurred inside the end zone/half the distance to the goal if the line of scrimmage was already inside the one-yard line.

General terms

All-purpose yardage: The sum of all yards gained by a player during a game, including rushing and receiving on offense, yards made returning interceptions and fumbles on defense, and returning punts, kickoffs and missed field goals on special teams.

Bust: A term used to describe a promising draft pick - usually a first rounder - who flops in the NFL.

Bomb: A way to describe a long pass downfield.

Camp fodder: A player signed to a roster during the offseason purely to make up the numbers - they have no chance of actually making the final team.

Cut/cutback: When a runner makes a quick change of direction.

Completion percentage: The percentage of passes completed by a quarterback during a game/over a certain stretch.

Dual-threat quarterback: A quarterback who is adept at both passing and running the ball.

Fair catch: When a player makes a signal before catching a kickoff or punt, resulting in the ball going dead as soon as the catch is made.

Fourth down conversion: When the offensive team completes a play on fourth down that gets them a new set of downs. Normally teams will opt to punt or attempt a field goal on fourth down.

Game manager: A quarterback known for being conservative and making safe plays, relying more on the players around them to win the game.

Gridiron: A general term for the game of American football. Can also be used to refer to the field of play.

Gunslinger: A quarterback with a strong arm who likes to take risks and throw the ball deep downfield.

Hurry-up offense: When the offensive team tried to move down the field as quickly as possible, often abandoning the huddle to save time.

Hut: What a quarterback will shout to trigger his players to move.

Icing the kicker: When a team calls a time out just before the ball in snapped to the opposing kicker, in order to make them line up to kick again.

Juke: Evading a tackler with the use of quick feet or deceptive movement.

Man coverage: When every eligible receiver is covered by a specified linebacker or defensive back.

Muffed punt: When there is an "uncontrolled touch" of the football after it is punted.

Passer rating/quarterback rating: A score given to quarterbacks out of 158.3 which judges their performance based on completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions.

Prevent defense: When a defensive team makes use of deep coverage so as not to give up big passing plays, but leaving them more open to short yardage plays. Usually used when a team is protecting a lead late in the game.

Split: The distance between the feet of two adjacent offensive linemen.

Stuff: When the running back is tackled behind the line of scrimmage.

Three-point stance: When a lineman has two feet and one hand on the ground at the line of scrimmage.

Total offense: Combined passing and rushing yards.

Tweener: A versatile player who plays two or more positions.

Unbalanced line: When an offensive line lines up with a different number of players on each side of the ball.

West Coast offense: An offense which makes use of lots of short, easy passes with the aim of keeping hold of the ball and avoiding risks.

Zone coverage: When defensive players are assigned a certain area of the backfield to cover.

This guide has been updated ahead of the Super Bowl 2022.

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