NFL Terminology Reference Table

Formation philosophy that aligns multiple wide receivers to stress the defense horizontally and lighten the tackle box.

Passing concept that opens with a convincing run fake to draw defenders forward before targeting receivers downfield.

System built on rhythm passes, short horizontal concepts, and yards after catch to replace traditional runs.

Vertical passing offense emphasizing deep routes, motion, and stretching the field at all levels.

Play in which the quarterback reads a designated defender after the snap and decides to hand off or throw based on leverage.

Run-blocking approach where linemen step laterally, block areas instead of specific defenders, and create cutback lanes.

Gap-blocking approach featuring double teams and pullers leading the back through a designated hole.

Gap play that shows flow one direction before pullers and the back cut back behind down blocks to the opposite side.

Delayed handoff that sells pass protection before the back or quarterback takes off through a vacated middle.

Quick pass thrown behind the line while blockers release downfield to form a convoy in front of the receiver.

Pass play featuring two shallow crossers creating traffic to free receivers running underneath.

Pass design stacking intermediate in-breaking routes at different depths to stress linebackers and safeties.

Quarterback fakes a handoff and rolls outside the pocket, often with a moving pocket and layered routes.

Handing the ball to a fast receiver in motion across the formation to race around the edge.

Receiver loops behind the backfield to take a handoff toward the opposite edge, often following fake action the other way.

Quarterback lines up several yards behind the center to enhance vision, spacing, and quick passing angles.

Hybrid alignment with the quarterback a few yards behind center and the running back directly behind the quarterback.

Package where a running back or receiver takes the direct snap with misdirection and option elements built in.

Short, quick throw to an underneath receiver when primary options are covered or pressure arrives.

Receiver adjusts to a quicker route based on a pre-snap or post-snap blitz read to become the quarterback's immediate outlet.

Man coverage with no deep safety help while extra rushers pressure the quarterback.

Single-high safety provides deep help while corners and linebackers play man coverage underneath.

Zone coverage with two safeties splitting the deep field and cornerbacks rerouting receivers before dropping to the flats.

Variation of Cover 2 where the middle linebacker drops deep to protect the seam between the safeties.

Zone coverage with a single-high safety and two corners dividing the deep thirds while underneath defenders drop to four zones.

Four deep defenders each take a quarter of the field with matchup principles underneath.

Hybrid coverage combining quarters on one side and Cover 2 on the other to balance strengths.

Coverage that starts like Cover 4 but converts routes into man assignments based on receiver releases.

Pressure package where blitzers attack while linemen drop into shallow zones to replace vacated areas.

Two linebackers threaten or rush through both A-gaps to overload the interior of pass protection.

Cornerbacks align close to receivers, striking at the line to disrupt timing before running with them in man coverage.

Two defenders divide leverage on a single receiver, usually playing high-low or inside-out angles to remove him.

Safety rotates down from a split-safety look to jump crossing routes or in-breaking throws.

Defender is tasked with mirroring a mobile quarterback or backfield threat instead of rushing or dropping deep.

Defender maintains outside leverage to keep the ball carrier from bouncing outside and turn the play back inside.

Coordinated movement where defensive linemen loop and exchange gaps after the snap to confuse blockers.

Defensive lineman is responsible for penetrating and controlling one assigned gap.

Defensive lineman controls the blocker in front and is responsible for both gaps on either side.

Alignment with three down linemen and four linebackers that offers flexibility in disguising blitzes.

Alignment with four down linemen and three linebackers providing strong edge presence and simple gap fits.

Defensive line covers every interior offensive lineman, clogging inside gaps to stop downhill runs.

Pre-snap look where defenders stand and move around the line to disguise where the rush will come from.

Kickoff deliberately struck short so the kicking team can recover after it travels at least ten yards.

Punt angled toward the sideline near the goal line to trap the opponent deep in their own territory.

Returner signals by waving an arm to catch a kick without advancing while defenders must not make contact.

Result when a kick enters the end zone and the receiving team downs it, bringing the ball out to a predetermined yard line.

Low, bouncing kickoff designed to prevent a dangerous return by forcing up-backs to handle the ball.

Soft, high punt intended to land inside the 20-yard line and be downed quickly by the coverage unit.

Punting unit lines up as normal but runs or passes for a first down instead of kicking.

Field goal unit shifts into a passing or running play instead of attempting the kick.

One-point try kicked from a fixed distance after a touchdown.

Offense runs a play from the two- or three-yard line after a touchdown to score two points instead of kicking.

Players sprint downfield after the kickoff to maintain lane integrity and tackle the returner.

Return team forms wedges or lanes to spring the returner after fielding the kickoff.

Unit that sprints downfield to surround the returner and down the ball after a punt.

Return team blocks and sets up walls for the returner to advance the ball after fielding a punt.

Specialist responsible for delivering accurate snaps on punts and placekicks.

Player stationed behind the line on punts to set protections and block interior rushers.

Specialist on the punt team who sprints down the sideline to be the first defender at the returner.

Preplanned sequence of opening plays designed to test defensive tendencies and build rhythm for the offense.

Offense skips the traditional huddle, lining up quickly to control tempo and limit defensive substitutions.

Hurry-up offense executed with limited time, prioritizing sideline routes, clock stoppages, and quick decisions.

Game-closing approach focused on running the ball, staying in bounds, and exhausting the remaining clock.

Philosophy built on sustained drives, efficient short passes, and consistent runs to dominate possession time.

Defensive philosophy willing to yield yards between the 20s but tightening near the red zone to force field goals.

Holistic approach where teams rehearse specific down, distance, clock, and field scenarios to make optimal decisions.

Philosophy of aligning offense, defense, and special teams plans so each phase supports the others.

Game plan emphasis on winning the average starting field position through punts, coverage, and conservative calls.

Choices such as fourth-down attempts or two-point tries made using win probability models and data analysis.

Strategic use of timeouts, play-calling, and pace to preserve or drain game clock.

Offensive leader who receives the snap, directs the play, and throws or hands the ball on most downs.

Ball carrier lined up in the backfield who runs, catches checkdowns, and assists in pass protection.

Power back or blocker aligned in the backfield who leads runners through gaps and pass protects.

Pass-catching specialist aligned near the sideline tasked with stretching the field vertically and horizontally.

Receiver aligned between the outside wideout and offensive line, attacking short and intermediate seams.

Hybrid position combining blocking responsibilities with pass-catching duties along the line of scrimmage.

Premier pass protector on the quarterback’s blind side responsible for blocking elite edge rushers.

Edge protector on the strong side, handling power rushers and anchoring the run game.

Interior lineman positioned between center and tackles, executing pulls, combos, and pass protection.

Linemen who snaps the ball and makes protection calls while blocking interior defenders.

Primary pass rusher aligned on the tackle’s outside shoulder to pressure the quarterback.

Defender aligned over guards or tackles inside, tasked with stopping the run and pushing the pocket.

Massive defender aligned head-up on the center to control both A-gaps in many schemes.

Interior linebacker who sets the front, calls adjustments, and plays downhill in run support.

Linebacker aligned on the weak side tasked with chasing plays and covering running backs.

Linebacker aligned to the tight end or strong side, taking on blocks and covering flats.

Extra defensive back who enters in sub-packages to cover slot receivers and blitz from the interior.

Sixth defensive back used in obvious passing situations to provide additional coverage depth.

Deep coverage safety with range to patrol the middle or deep half and provide help over the top.

Safety aligned closer to the box responsible for run support, tight end coverage, and blitzing.

Perimeter defender tasked with covering wide receivers and defending the sideline.

Offensive player other than the center moves or simulates the snap before the ball is snapped.

Player is lined up beyond the line of scrimmage at the snap without making contact to cause encroachment.

Defensive player enters the neutral zone and makes contact before the snap, killing the play immediately.

Offense fails to snap the ball before the play clock expires or otherwise unnecessarily delays the game.

Offense fails to align at least seven players on the line of scrimmage or improperly covers an eligible receiver.

Two or more offensive players shift simultaneously and fail to become set for at least one second before the snap.

Motioning player is moving toward the line of scrimmage at the snap or another player was not set for a full second.

Ineligible lineman advances more than one yard downfield on a forward pass before the ball is thrown.

Quarterback throws a forward pass without a realistic chance of completion to avoid a sack while still in the pocket.

Offensive player illegally grabs or restricts a defender to impede movement, typically by clutching outside the frame.

Defender illegally grabs or restricts a receiver beyond five yards before the ball is thrown.

Defender makes significant contact with a receiver beyond five yards while the quarterback still has the ball.

Defender significantly hinders a receiver’s opportunity to catch a forward pass before the ball arrives.

Offensive player illegally impedes a defender beyond one yard downfield to create separation before the pass arrives.

Personal foul for excessive or late contact on the quarterback after releasing the ball or with prohibited techniques.

Defender makes forcible contact with the punter or placekicker after the kick, endangering the specialist.

Defender makes incidental contact with the kicker without violent force, usually brushing the plant leg.

Personal foul for violent contact after the whistle or against a defenseless player.

Player uses gestures or words to bait or demean an opponent in an unsportsmanlike manner.

Player grabs and pulls or twists the opponent’s helmet mask, endangering the neck.

Defender grabs inside the back or side of the collar and pulls a runner down from behind or the side.

Two blockers engage a defender, with one high and another at or below the knee, creating a dangerous high-low hit.

Player pushes an opponent in the back above the waist, usually during returns.

Blocker delivers a forcible blow to an opponent's blind side with unnecessary force.

Blocker hits an opponent from behind at or below the waist, which can cause leg injuries.

Player strikes or pushes the opponent’s head or neck area with the hands in a manner not permitted by rules.

Team fails to complete substitutions before the snap or has more than eleven players in the huddle.

Team has more than eleven players in formation or fails to remove an exiting player before the snap.

Distance a receiver gains after securing the catch, highlighting open-field elusiveness and play design.

Legacy NFL formula combining completion rate, yards per attempt, touchdowns, and interceptions per attempt into one score.

Ratio of completed passes to total pass attempts, measuring accuracy and timing within the offense.

Average yards gained per pass attempt including completions and incompletions, balancing volume with efficiency.

Passing metric that incorporates yards, touchdowns, interceptions, and sack yardage to better capture overall efficiency.

Total ground yardage gained by rushing attempts, including quarterback scrambles.

Average yards gained per rushing attempt, reflecting run efficiency independent of volume.

Rushing metric measuring yards gained after a defender first makes contact with the ball carrier.

Percentage of dropbacks ending in sacks, reflecting pass protection and quarterback decision-making.

Share of opponent dropbacks where the quarterback is hurried, hit, or sacked.

Difference between takeaways generated and giveaways committed, indicating possession advantage.

Percentage of third-down attempts that result in a new first down or touchdown.

Percentage of red-zone drives (inside the opponent 20) that end in touchdowns rather than field goals or turnovers.

Analytics metric measuring how much a play changes a team’s expected points based on down, distance, and field position.

Percentage of plays that gain the yardage needed to stay ahead of schedule (40% on first down, 60% on second, 100% on third or fourth).

Area between the opponent’s 20-yard line and goal line where the field compresses and play-calling changes.

Down-and-distance scenario where the offense only needs a touchdown to score, often inside the 10-yard line.

Third down requiring seven or more yards, tipping the offense toward passing concepts.

Third down needing three yards or fewer, allowing balanced run-pass options.

High-leverage decision where the offense needs less than a yard for a new first down.

Offense begins a drive inside its own 10-yard line, requiring careful play-calling to avoid safeties or turnovers.

Automatic stoppage with two minutes remaining in each half that functions like an extra timeout.

Hurry-up drive executed with limited time before halftime or game end, prioritizing clock stoppages and sideline throws.

Clock-draining situation late in the game where the leading offense aims to run out time.

Extra period used when regulation ends tied; NFL rules provide alternating possessions with modified sudden death.

Offense lines up in tight protection so the quarterback can take a knee and run out the clock safely.