(rugby) A type of kick performed by the scrum-half (or very rarely acting scrum-half). From the base of a ruck, maul or scrum, the scrum-half will stand sideways onto the opposition with his kicking foot further from them, and kick the ball high into the air so as to hopefully prevent the opposition charging down the kick.
(uncountable, American football, Canadian football) Falling, rolling, or throwing one's body on the back of an opponent's legs after approaching from behind.
(American football, Gaelic football, hurling) Any of the defensive players who are in position on each side farthest laterally from the ball and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes.
(American football) A pattern where the receiver appears to be running a fly pattern but after a set number of steps or yards quickly stops and turns around, looking for a pass.
(American football, Canadian football) To reject a penalty against the opposing team, usually because the result of accepting it would benefit the non-penalized team less than the preceding play.
(American football, Canadian football) Collective term for the defensive players who are in position farthest from the ball at the start of a play and whose principal responsibility is to defend against passes. Includes cornerbacks and safeties in both codes, and defensive halfbacks in the Canadian game.
(Canadian football) A defensive back whose primary jobs are to cover the slotback on passing plays and prevent running plays from going to the outside.
(American football) After winning the opening coin toss, to postpone until the start of the second half a team's choice of whether to kick off or receive (and to allow the opposing team to make this choice at the start of the first half).
(American football) A sixth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks, two safeties and a nickelback) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.
(American football) A single play, from the time the ball is snapped (the start) to the time the whistle is blown (the end) when the ball is down, or is downed.
(American football) The game situation described using the current scrimmage down and the yardage required to either to the line to gain, or the goal line if no line to gain exists.
Alternative spelling of drop-back [(American football) The act by a player in the backfield of dropping back from the line of scrimmage after the hike of the ball.]
(American football) A defensive player who runs on the outside of the field, making a turn at the last minute to get to the offensive player who has the ball.
A running play in American football in which the player carrying the ball attempts to avoid being tackled by evading the defending players from the opposing team
(American football) A uncontested catch on a kicking play, after the receiver waves his hand to indicate that he will not run with the ball, assuring that he will not be tackled on catching it.
(soccer) Initialism of fullback. [(American football) An offensive back whose primary jobs are to block in advance of the halfback on running plays and for the quarterback on passing plays.]
(rugby) The first player to receive the ball, from a scrum-half (or acting scrum-half). This is often the fly-half, but may be a different player if the fly-half is unavailable, or a forward who will drive.
(American football) A trick offensive play in which the quarterback laterals the ball to the running back, who then runs a short distance, then laterals the ball back to the quarterback.
(American football) A formation involving three running backs in which a fullback is lined up behind the quarterback and two slotbacks are lined up behind the line of scrimmage at each end of the offensive line.
(American football) A pattern run by a receiver, straight upfield towards the end zone, with the aim of outrunning any defensive backs and getting behind them, catching an undefended pass while running untouched for a touchdown.
(Canada, uncountable) Canadian football: a game played on a field of 110 yards long and 65 yards wide in which two teams of 12 players attempt to get an ovoid ball to the end of each other's territory.
(American football) The fourth down in a series that has a maximum of four downs; often used to punt the ball downfield or attempt a field goal (If not punted or converted, the opposing team takes possession wherever the ball is).
Alternative spelling of fullback [(American football) An offensive back whose primary jobs are to block in advance of the halfback on running plays and for the quarterback on passing plays.]
(British Commonwealth, dated in US) Alternative form of fullback [(American football) An offensive back whose primary jobs are to block in advance of the halfback on running plays and for the quarterback on passing plays.]
(American football) An offensive back whose primary jobs are to block in advance of the halfback on running plays and for the quarterback on passing plays.
(American football) A trick play wherein the quarterback deliberately places or leaves the ball on the ground upon receiving it from the center, technically fumbling it, after which the backs run to the right, deceiving the defense into following them, while the right guard picks up the ball and runs to the left.
Abbreviation of forward. [(rugby) One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).]
(sports) To run far from the person throwing a ball in order to receive a long pass; (especially American football, Canadian football) to run down the field away from the quarterback to receive a long or Hail Mary pass.
(American football) Either of two offensive positions between the centre and each of the offensive tackles, whose main responsibilities are to protect the quarterback, and open up "holes" through which offensive players can run.
(American football) A long forward pass with little chance of completion, typically used by the losing team when time is running out and no other play is practical, in a desperate attempt to score the winning points.
(American football) The situation where the quarterback attempts to draw the defense offside through a deceptive snap count sequence, sometimes accompanied by subtle body movements which simulate the initiation of the play.
(rugby) Alternative form of hit up [(rugby) The act of taking a pass from the dummy half and running straight into the opposition's defensive line without looking to pass.]
(American football) an incidence of a defensive player forcing the quarterback to act faster than the quarterback was prepared to, resulting in a failed offensive play.
(American football) An offensive style in which the offensive team avoids delays between plays, sometimes also avoiding or shortening the huddle to limit or disrupt defensive strategies and flexibility.
(American football) A common offensive formation, beginning with the usual five offensive linemen (two offensive tackles, two guards, and a center), the quarterback under center, and two backs in-line behind the quarterback. The base variant adds a tight end to one side of the line and two wide receivers, one at each end of the line.
(American football) An instance when the quarterback throws the ball into the ground or into the crowds to avoid being sacked and losing field position.
(American football) Initialism of linebacker. [(American football) The defensive players who are in position behind the defensive linemen and in front of the safeties and cornerbacks and whose principal responsibilities are to tackle runners and to defend against shorter passes.]
(American football) Either of two imaginary lines across the football field touching one of the two apices of the football which point toward either the defensive side or the offensive side before the center is allowed to touch the ball before each play.
(American football) The defensive players who are in position behind the defensive linemen and in front of the safeties and cornerbacks and whose principal responsibilities are to tackle runners and to defend against shorter passes.
Alternative form of nickelback [(American football) A fifth defensive back (in addition to two cornerbacks and two safeties) who is deployed for additional pass coverage.]
(American football, Canadian football) The five players comprising the center, the left and right offensive guards, and the left and right offensive tackles who are positioned around the ball at the line of scrimmage.
(American football) To kick the ball so far downfield that one's teammates do not have time to get into position to block or tackle the opponent who catches it.
(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, but closer than in a shotgun formation, with a running back lined up behind him.
(American football) The area behind the line of scrimmage subject to certain rules regarding intentional grounding, illegal contact, etc., formally extending to the end zone but more usually understood as the central area around the quarterback directly protected by the offensive line.
(American football) A moderate to deep passing route in which a receiver runs 10-20 yards from the line of scrimmage straight down the field, then cuts toward the middle of the field (towards the facing goalposts) at a 45-degree angle.
(Australian rules football) A person (from one or the other team) who runs out onto the field during the game to take verbal instructions from the coach to the players. A runner mustn't interfere with play, and may have to wear an identifying shirt to make clear his or her purpose on the field.
(American football) An informal division of a football field indicating the channel through which a player will run either to catch a pass or when carrying the ball.
(American football) An instance of a player being sacked or tackled in the end zone, or stepping out of the end zone and off the field, resulting in two points to the opposite team.
(American football) The position of defensive safety; a position furthest from the line of scrimmage whose responsibility is to defend against passes as well as to be the tackler of last resort.
In American football or Canadian football, a play that begins with a snap from the center while opposing teams are on either side of a line of scrimmage.
(soccer) Action done by the person with the ball to protect the ball from the defender; the person concerned keeps his body between the ball and the defender.
(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, often with a running back set to one or both sides of him.
(American football) A particular position in American football, often a running back who lines up near the line of scrimmage and can function as a wide receiver.
(American football slang) To slam the football to the ground, usually in celebration of scoring a touchdown, or to stop expiring time on the game clock after snapping the ball as to save time for the losing team to attempt to score the tying or winning points.
(sports) A long pass in American football or rugby in which the ball is given a brisk spin (about its longitudinal axis) as it is thrown so that it travels in a smooth arc without tumbling or wobbling.
(American football) An offensive formation in which three running backs line up in a row about five yards behind the quarterback, forming a shape like the letter T.
(American football, Canadian football) Of any player with the ball, to kneel and place the ball on the ground, thereby ending the play and indicating they do not intend to advance with the ball.
(American football, Canadian football) Abbreviation of touchdown. [(American football, Canadian football) A six-point score occurring when the ball enters possession of a team's player in the opponent's end zone.]
(American football) A rapid rate of play by the offense resulting from reducing the amount of time which elapses after one play ends and the next starts.
(American football) The set of yardage markers used by a chain crew to indicate the ten yards between the line of scrimmage from the previous first down and the line to gain, which the offense must reach in their series of four downs in order to retain possession of the ball.
Alternative form of touchdown [(American football, Canadian football) A six-point score occurring when the ball enters possession of a team's player in the opponent's end zone.]
(American football) The result of a play (usually a kickoff or punt) in which the ball passes out the back of the end zone or a team otherwise gains possession of the ball in their own end zone.
(American football) A situation where one team surrenders the ball to the other team after failing to convert a touchdown, field goal or first down in four opportunities. This is in contrast to a turnover by interception or fumble.
(American football) An option, for a team that has scored a touchdown, to gain two points by getting the ball into the end zone by a running or pass play, in lieu of a kicked extra point.
(American football) An offensive football player whose position on the line of scrimmage is farthest from the ball and whose function is to principally to catch passes.
(American football) A formation with two halfbacks, where one lines up just behind the line of scrimmage between the split end and the offensive tackle, and the other lines up behind the quarterback and next to the fullback.
(American football) A defensive scheme which involves no deep defenders, person-to-person coverage and a heavy pass rush.
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