As football season “winds down” and play-offs begin, many folks, who have not been too interested in regular season games, seem to pay more attention as the stakes are higher and the games more competitive. Also, being a football fan is sometimes “the thing to do!” So, if you do not really know many of the TERMS, the following article will attempt to give brief descriptions of some “calls” you may see or hear. Keep in mind that this is a “layman” doing the describing of a few of very many terms!
END ZONE(S): 10-yardlong areas at both ends of the field past the goal lines. These areas are still parts of the playing surface.
FUMBLE: Losing possession of the football while running with it or as a result of being hit or tackled.
TOUCHBACK: Player receives a kick-off or punt inside of (behind) his own goal line and then kneels down with the ball instead of trying to “run it out” onto the field of play.
SAFETY: Scoring play worth 2 points that occurs when a ball carrier is tackled inside his own endzone.
FIELD GOAL: Kicking the football from its “set” position on the ground over the cross bar of the goal post and between the upright poles from any position on the playing field scores 3 points.
INTERCEPTION: Pass caught by a defensive player, ending the possession of the ball by the offensive team.
SACK: This occurs when a defensive player tackles the offensive passer, usually the quarterback, behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage.
FACE MASK PENALTY: Grabbing the face mask of another player while attempting to tackle or block him.
SNAP: Hiking (tossing between the legs) the football by the center to the quarterback or kick holder or punter to put the ball into “play.”
ENCROACHMENT PENALTY: When a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped.
DOWN: Period of time that begins when the football is put “into play” and ends when the play is ruled “dead” or finished. The offensive team has 4 “downs” to advance the ball 10 yards and must surrender possession of the ball to the opposing team if it does not gain the 10 or more yards.
FAIR CATCH: The “catch” of a kicked or punted football by a player who gives a “fair catch signal” and does not attempt to advance the football. He may not be tackled!
FIRST DOWN: First play of the series that attempts to move the ball 10 or more yards. Each time a team successfully gains the 10 yards in 4 or fewer plays, the series begins again with a new “first down.”
OFFENSE: Team that has possession of the ball and attempts to score a touchdown or field goal.
CENTER: Player who snaps (hikes) the ball, usually to the quarterback, kick holder, or punter.
QUARTERBACK: Player who “calls the plays” in the huddle and then passes, hands-off, or runs with the ball.
Referees, Judges, etc.: Men or women in uniforms differing from the players. It is their “function” to enforce the rules and penalize the infractions, usually by “losses of yardage.”
(Most of the time, they only please ½ of the people in the stadium!)
O. K. Now you have a start or a refresher! If this does not cover something you hear in the stands, just nod your head and grin or shake your head and frown and pretend you know what is going on!
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