Football Terms

A reference guide to common American football terms. Whether you're a new fan learning the game or a seasoned viewer looking up an unfamiliar phrase, this glossary covers the essential vocabulary of the NFL and college football.

• Audible (Football) An audible in football is when the quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage by calling out a new set of signals after reading the defense's formation.
• False Start A false start is a pre-snap penalty in football called when an offensive player makes a movement that simulates the start of a play before the ball is snapped, resulting in a 5-yard penalty.
• Field Goal A kick through the uprights worth three points, typically attempted on fourth down.
• Fumble When a ball carrier loses possession of the ball before being down, which can be recovered by either team.
• Hail Mary Pass A Hail Mary pass is a long, desperate forward pass thrown near the end of a game with little chance of success, typically used as a last-ditch effort to score a touchdown.
• Holding (Football) Holding is one of the most common penalties in football, called when a player illegally grabs or restrains an opponent who does not have the ball, resulting in a 10-yard penalty on offense or a 5-yard penalty on defense.
• Interception When a defensive player catches a forward pass thrown by the quarterback, immediately giving the defense possession.
• Nickel Defense The nickel defense is a defensive formation in football that uses five defensive backs instead of the standard four, adding an extra cornerback or safety to defend against pass-heavy offensive formations.
• Onside Kick An onside kick is a deliberate short kickoff that gives the kicking team a chance to recover the ball, typically used as a last-resort strategy when a team is losing late in the game.
• Overtime Shootout (Football) Overtime in football is an additional period played when a game is tied at the end of regulation, with different rules in the NFL, college football, and high school football to determine a winner.
• Pass Interference A penalty called when a defender illegally impedes a receiver's ability to catch a forward pass.
• Punt A kick used to surrender the ball to the opposing team on fourth down, pushing them as far back as possible.
• Quarterback Rating Quarterback rating (passer rating) is a formula-based statistic that measures a quarterback's performance by combining completion percentage, yards per attempt, touchdown percentage, and interception percentage into a single number.
• Red Zone The area of the field between the opponent's 20-yard line and the goal line, where scoring opportunities are highest.
• Safety (Football) A safety in football is a scoring play worth two points that occurs when a ball carrier is tackled in their own end zone, or when the offense commits certain penalties in the end zone.
• Snap The act of the center passing the ball to the quarterback to begin each play.
• Touchdown Scoring six points by carrying or catching the ball in the opposing team's end zone.
• Wildcat Formation The wildcat formation is an offensive football formation where a running back or wide receiver takes the snap directly instead of the quarterback, allowing the offense to create misdirection and run-blocking advantages.
• Blitz A defensive strategy where extra players rush the quarterback beyond the standard four pass rushers.
• Sack When a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage while they still have the ball.
• Two-Minute Warning An automatic stoppage of play when two minutes remain in each half of an NFL game.