If you think a word or phrase should be added to this listing, or if you feel that one of our definitions is in error, please e-mail the editor at info@bigblueinteractive.com.

Abbreviations :

• QB - Quarterback
• RB - Running Back
• H-B - H-Back
• HB - Halfback
• FB - Fullback
• TE - Tight End
• WR - Wide Receiver
• OL - Offensive Lineman
• OC - Offensive Center
• OG - Offensive Guard
• OT - Offensive Tackle
• DE - Defensive End
• DT - Defensive Tackle
• NT - Nose Tackle (One-Technique)
• UT - Under Tackle (Three-Technique)
• OLB - Outside Linebacker
• MLB - Middle Linebacker ("Mike")
• SLB - Strongside Linebacker ("Sam")
• WLB - Weakside Linebacker ("Will")
• CB - Cornerback
• SS - Strong Safety
• FS - Free Safety
• WS - Weak Safety
• PK - Placekicker
• P - Punter

Glossary:

3-4 Defense: Base defense that employs three down linemen and four linebackers. In this style of defense, the down lineman play two-gap defense, meaning that they plug the gap between two offensive linemen and aim to neutralize those two blockers, allowing the linebackers to go unblocked and make the majority of the tackles. A 3-4 defense is a stronger defense against the run, but requires very strong and stout defensive linemen.

4-3 Defense: Base defense that employs four down linemen and three linebackers. The 4-3 was devised in the 1950’s by New York Giants Head Coach Steve Owen. The defense needs ends who are strong pass rushers as well as physically tough against the run. The 4-3 also operates best with a quality middle linebacker. The 4-3 defense is a one-gap style that allows for smaller, swifter down linemen.

Accrued Season: Six or more regular-season games on a club’s active/inactive, reserved-injured, or "physically unable to perform" lists. Important for determining a player’s free agent status.

Anchor: The ability to hold one’s ground and not be moved.

Audible: Usually referred to when a quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage. However, defenses can audiblize as well.

Bird-Dog: A quarterback’s tendency to keep his eyes glued on an intended receiver throughout his pattern, rather than looking away from him and toward different receivers. Bird-dogging tends to tip off the defensive players as to where the pass will be thrown.

Blast: A running play often referred to as a dive. Every team has the blast in its playbook; it’s the simplest of carries. Usually led by the fullback, the running back takes a quick handoff from the quarterback and hits a hole between an offensive guard and tackle or guard and center.

Blind-Side: Also known as the backside. The side of the backfield on which the quarterback has less-than-optimal vision when setting to throw; the side opposite his throwing arm.

Blitz: Sending one or more linebackers or defensive backs to rush the passer.

Body-Catches: When a receiver cradles the ball against his body rather than snatching it cleanly out of the air with his hands.

Bootleg: When a quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back and runs in the opposite direction in order to find running room or a receiver.

The Box: The box is the imaginary area near the line of scrimmage where the defensive linemen and linebackers line up prior to the offensive putting the ball into play. Usually, a team puts seven defenders, known as the front seven, in that box. But a team can put an eighth man - the strong safety - in the box. By placing eight defenders against six blockers - five offensive linemen and a tight end - the odds are pretty good that the running back will have trouble finding open territory.

BPA:  "Best player available" - a term used during the draft to identify the highest rated player available regardless of team need.

Break: When a receiver cuts.

Break Down: Get into the proper position to make a tackle or block.

Bull Rush: Straight-ahead, power rush.

Bump-and-Run Coverage: Man-to-man coverage where the defensive back jams the receiver at the line of scrimmage and then runs with him down the field. Opposite of man-off coverage.

Clipping When an offensive player blocks an opponent from behind, htting him in the back of the legs or in the back. The infraction costs the offense 15 yards. However, clipping is legal within three yards of the line of scrimmage.

Chop Block: The legal variety is used within three yards of the line of scrimmage to slow down the opposition’s pass rush. A lineman blocks down low with his shoulders and arms, attempting to take the defender’s legs from underneath him and stop his momentum. If this play occurs three yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage, the blocker is penalized 15-yards.

Combination Block: Also referred to as a double team. Bock on one defender carried out in unison by two offensive linemen.

Comeback Route: Teams use this pass effectively when the receiver is extremely fast and the defensive player gives him a 5-yard cushion, fearing his speed. On the comeback, the receiver runs hard down field, between 12 and 20 yards, and then turns to face the football. The comeback route generally is run along the sideline. To work effectively, the quarterback usually throws the ball before the receiver turns. It’s a timed pass - the quarterback throws to a spot where he expects the receiver to stop and turn.

Compensatory Draft Pick: There are two types of compensatory draft picks: (1) those forthcoming from a team that signs a restricted free agent away from his current team, and (2) those awarded by the league as a form of compensation for the loss of unrestricted free agents. In the former case, the pick comes from the signing team. In the later,under terms of the NFL Collective Bargaining agreement, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents than it acquires in a year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The number of picks a team receives equals the net loss of compensatory free agents up to a maximum of four. The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through seventh rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost. Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time, and performance. The formula was developed by the NFL Management Council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. A club could receive a compensatory pick even though it did not suffer a net loss of compensatory free agents. For example, a compensatory free agent lost could rank higher than one signed (by a specified point differential based on salary, playing time, and performance).

Corner Route: Route where the receiver drives the defender off the ball by running directly towards the end zone and then breaks the pattern to the outside corner.

Counter: A misdirection run by design and intended to go against the pursuit of the defense. For example, the quarterback can fake a lateral toss to one back who is heading in one direction parallel to the line of scrimmage. He’s the decoy. The quarterback then tuns and hands off to the remaining runner in the backfield, generally the fullback, who runs toward the middle of the line, hoping to find an opening between either guard and the center.

Counter-Trey: A running play made famous by the Washington Redskins of the early 1980’s, but now used by most teams. A misdirection running play where a running back will take a false step towards one direction, before heading in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, the offensive linemen on the side of the false step will pull to the true direction of the play.

Cover One: Defensive coverage where the free safety is 12-14 yards deep, the two cornerbacks are in press coverage, and the strong safety is about 5 yards deep over the tight end. Cover one is generally a man-to-man scheme and vulnerable to a running play.

Cover Two: Two-deep zone coverage. In Cover 2, the safeties play further back, while the linebackers and cornerbacks play zone coverage underneath the safeties. Each person underneath covers about 1/5th the width of the field for about 7 yards deep. Past that depth, the two safeties split the field and each cover half against the deep pass. The Tampa or Indianapolis Cover 2 is a coverage scheme out of the 4-3 that was pioneered by Tony Dungy. While the normal Cover 2 has each linebacker or cornerback covering about 1/5th the width of the field while the safeties are responsible for each deep half, the Tampa 2 pulls the middle linebacker into deep zone coverage as well, similar to a Cover 3. What this does is allows the safeties to have to cover less ground, so they can cover the traditional soft zone past the corners more effectively. Since the middle linebacker drops into coverage to watch the center of the field, the four men underneath each cover about 25% the width of the field each. Speed at linebacker is so important here because they need to cover more ground than linebackers are normally used to covering.

Cover Three: Three-deep zone coverage. This coverage usually has the two corners and the free safety deep (10-14 yards off the line of scrimmage). The strong safety is 5 yards off the line, over the tight end. This is a stout defense versus the run, but very soft versus a good passing team. A quarterback can throw underneath passes unless the linebackers are very strong in coverage.

Cover Four: Four-deep zone coverage or "quarters." All four defensive backs are off the line of scrimmage - aligned approximately 12 yards deep. The cover four is a good pass defense against the long ball because the secondary players are told never to allow a receiver to get behind them. Running plays and the short passing game often work well against this kind of coverage.

Crossing Route: This is an effective pass against man-to-man coverage because it’s designed for the receiver to beat his defender by running across the field. The receiver generally runs about 10 yards down the field and then cuts quickly straight across the field. The play is designed for the quarterback to pass to the receiver on the run as the receiver crosses his field of vision.

Curl: Also referred to as a turn-in route. An 8- to 14-yard pass where the receiver stops and then turns immediately, making a slight curl before facing the quarterback’s throw. The receiver usually takes a step or two toward the quarterback and the ball before the pass reaches him. The curl tends to be a high-percentage completion because the receiver wants to shield the defender with his back. This is a common route for tight ends.

Cut Block: Block below the knees.

Cut-Off Block: Generally used on running plays, which are designed to allow a defensive player to come free across the line of scrimmage. After that happens, an offensive lineman deliberately gets in the way of this on-rushing defender. This block is sometimes called an angle block because the offensive lineman hits the defensive player from the side, or from an angle.

Delay Route: A route run by a tight end or running back where the player first "acts" as if he were blocking, then runs a pattern as a receiver.

Dime Coverage: Coverage with six defensive backs instead of the standard four. Two linebackers are usually removed in favor of two extra defensive backs in this coverage.

Dog: Blitz.

Double-Team Block: Double-teaming is two linemen ganging up on one defensive player. It’s more common on pass plays when the center and a guard work together to stop the penetration of a talented inside pass-rusher. However, the double-team also works well on running plays, especially at the point-of-attack or at the place where the play is designed to go.

Double Zone Coverage: Coverage which has five defenders in the undercoverage (cornerbacks and linebackers) with two safeties playing the deep halves of the field. The cornerbacks look inside to determine run or pass. The WR’s are double-teamed on the routes downfield, with the cornerbacks bumping them inside and the safeties picking them up deep. This defense also allows for strong run force from the cornerbacks.

Double Zone With Man Coverage Underneath: Also known as double man coverage. This coverage looks the same as double zone coverage except that the cornerbacks are up tight on the wide receivers in bump-and-run position. The cornerbacks will usually take an inside position on the wide receivers. The safeties once again provide deep help. This type of defense can often leave the flats vulnerable.

Down Block: A block thrown from the outside across a defender’s feet to cut off his pursuit angle.

Draw: A running play where the offensive personnel fake a passing play, delay, and then run the ball up the middle of the formation. Because the offensive linemen draw back like they’re going to pass-protect, the opposing defensive line often come charging on the pass rush and are easily pushed aside at the last moment. Draws are often quite effective in "obvious" passing situations.

Drive Block: This one-on-one block is used most often when a defensive lineman lines up directly over an offensive lineman. The blocker usually explodes out of a three-point stance and drives his hips forward, delivering the block from a wide base while keeping his head up and his shoulders square. The blow should be delivered with the forearms and not the head, with the head kept to the side of the opponent where the hole for the ball carrier should be.

Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA): ERFA’s are players who have completed less than three seasons of accrued service and whose contracts have expired. They may negotiate or sign only with their prior club, if the prior club tenders the player at least a one-year contract at or above the minimum applicable. If the club does not tender, the player is free to sign with any club and no compensation is required.

Fade Route: Route where the receiver quickly breaks to the outside and looks for the ball over his inside shoulder. Often used near the goal line. A route best used by taller receivers who can outleap their opponent and fight for the ball.

Flanker: The wide receiver who lines up on the strongside, closest to the sideline. Often referred to as the "Z" receiver.

Flashes: Shows ability sporadically.

Flats: The area of the field between the hash marks and the sideline and in close proximity to the line of scrimmage. A pass, generally to a running back, in this particular spot is described as a flat pass.

Flea Flicker: A trick play where the quarterback hands off to a running back and then the running back tosses the ball back to the quarterback for a pass play.

Fly Route: Also known as the streak, go, or takeoff. Speed route where the receiver tries to outrun his defender straight up the field. This pass is often designed to loosen up a defense by forcing the defense to think about the long throw. In turn, this should help to open up the short passing and running games.

Franchise Player: A club can designate one franchise player in any given year. The salary level offer by a player’s old club determines what type of franchise player he is. An "exclusive" franchise player - not free to sign with another club - is tendered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position at the end of the upcoming Restricted Free Agent signing period, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. However, if the player is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position at the end of the previous season, or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, he becomes a ìnon-exclusiveî franchise player and can negotiate with other clubs. His old club can match a new club’s offer, or receive two first-round draft choices if it decides not to match.

Free Agent: See restricted free agent, unrestricted free agent, exclusive rights free agent, and rookie free agent.

Front Seven: The defensive linemen and linebackers.

Green Zone: How Tom Coughlin defines the Red Zone. See "Red Zone."

Gunner: The wide men on the punt coverage unit. These two should be the first down the field and are often double-teamed by the punt return unit.

H-Back: An H-Back usually serves as a "move tight end" in a two-TE formation and is often put into motion. He is usually inserted into the line-up in lieu of one of the running backs. His main role is to block and catch.

Hash Marks: The two rows of lines near the center of the field that signify 1 yard on the field. Before every play, the ball is marked between or on the hash marks, depending on where the ball carrier was tackled on the preceding play. On a professional field, the hash marks are four inches wide and are located 70 feet, 9 inches for the sidelines.

Hang Time: The length of time that elapses from when the ball comes off a kicker’s foot until it touches a player on the ground.

Heavy: A two-tight end, one-wide receiver offensive formation often used in short yardage situations.

Hitch Route: Similar to a curl route, but run at a shorter depth - around six yards.

Hook Route: This is a common pass play designed mostly for a tight end, who releases down field and then makes a small turn, coming back to face the quarterback and receive the ball. A hook is similar to a wide receiver running a curl, although it’s a shorter pass (8-12 yards). It is a timing route - the quarterback usually releases the ball before the tight end starts his turn.

Horizontal Attack: To stretch a defense from sideline to sideline.

"Hot" Receiver: When a linebacker or defensive back blitzes, often the man who he was responsible to cover will be wide open. This man is generally known as the "hot" receiver. If the quarterback can read the blitz quickly enough, a big play may result because of this.

Hybrid: See "’tweener."

"I" Formation: In the "I" formation, the tailback (the halfback in the "I" is referred to as the tailback) can place himself as deep as 7 yards from the line of scrimmage. By stepping this far back, the runner will be in full stride when he nears the line of scrimmage. Also, the depth allows him to have complete vision of his blockers and the defensive players’ first reaction to the run. This formation is called the "I" because the quarterback, fullback, and tailback form an "I", with the fullback between the quarterback and tailback.

In Route: Route where the receiver drives up field and then breaks horizontally towards the center of the field. In routes can be run anywhere from 12-20 yards in depth.

Injured Reserve: When a player is injured and expected to miss the rest of the current or upcoming season, he is usually placed on injured reserve. A player on injured reserve cannot be signed by another team, but he also no longer counts against the roster until the next offseason. Players on injured reserve count against the salary cap.

Jumbo: A three-tight end, no wide receiver formation used in short yardage situations. In many cases, an extra offensive linemen will in fact be used instead of a tight end.

Key: Either a specific player or a shift in a particular offensive formation that serves as a clue to a defensive player. From studying a team tendencies, he immediately knows which play they will attempt to run and to what direction.

Line of Scrimmage: The imaginary boundary between the two teams prior to the snap of the ball. The offense’s and defense’s scrimmage lines are defined by the tip of the ball closest to them and stretch from sideline to sideline.

Long Snap: The center snap to a punter or holder for a placekicker.

Long Strider: A player who takes long steps instead of quick ones, and thus, tends to move slower into and out of his breaks.

Man-Off Coverage: Man-to-man pass coverage when a defender is backed off the line of scrimmage, as opposed to tight bump-and-run coverage.

Man-on-Man Blocking: The straight-ahead style of blocking a defender who plays directly over you and driving him out of the hole. Most defenses use four linemen, so man-on-man blocking is common on pass plays, with each offensive lineman choosing the opponent opposite of him, and the center helping out to either side.

Man-to-Man Coverage: Also simply called man coverage. Coverage where the defensive backs and linebackers are called upon to cover specific players rather than certain areas of the playing field. The defenders are supposed to cover their respective opponents until the completion of the play. Opposite of zone coverage.

Man-to-Man with Free Safety: Also called man free. This coverage allows tight man-to-man coverage with the free safety helping deep. The cornerbacks will often position themselves to the outside in this coverage, knowing they have help deep from the safety. In straight man, the free safety does not serve as a safety valve as the defense is most likely blitzing.

Mirror: Shadow; stay in front of.

Motion: When an offensive player (wide receiver, tight end, running back) is called upon to move laterally along the line of scrimmage after the team lines up but before the ball is snapped. Motion is often used to help the offense read defensive coverages, avoid bump-and-run coverage, and/or create mismatches. Motion cannot be forward, and only one player is allowed to move at a time.

Naked Bootleg: A running play where all the blockers run in one direction and the quarterback carries the ball in the other direction.

Nickel Coverage: Coverage with five defensive backs instead of the standard four. A linebacker is usually removed in the nickel for the extra defensive back.

Non-Football Injury or Illness (NFI) List: A player who fails the preseason physical of his club because on an injury unrelated to football may be placed on the Non-Football Injury or Illness (NFI) list if the injury renders him unable to play football. A player will not be entitled to receive his salary on NFI (but the club can elect to pay him) and will be prohibited from practicing with the club until the three (3) week period beginning the day after the club’s 6th regular season game. If the non-football related injury occurs after the player passes the club’s preseason physical, the player may also be placed on NFI but is not able to return to practice or play with the club at any time during the season.

North-South Runner: Player who tends to run towards the goal line rather than laterally.

Off-Tackle Run: Strong-side running play where the halfback heads toward the end of the line to take advantage of the hole supplied by the tackle, tight end, and fullback. The runner can take the ball either around the tight end or outside the tackle. The fullback is usually charged with blocking the outside linebacker.

Offer Sheet: When a restricted free agent receives and agrees to sign a contract with another team, the player must submit a certificate with the contract terms to his prior team. The prior team has seven days from the time it receives the offer sheet to exercise or not exercise its right of first refusal.

Offset "I" Formation: In the offset "I" formation, the running back remains deep, 5 -7 yards from the quarterback. When the running back is this deep, the majority of the time the team plans to run the ball. The fullback or blocking back can be as close as 3 yards to the line of scrimmage, but is offset to either side by a few yards. The other back wants to be close to his target - the defender he must block. Also, he’s deep enough should the play require him to go in motion to either side.

One-Gap Defense: Depending on the play called and the philosophy of the defensive coordinator, a defensive lineman could be responsible for either one or two gaps ñ though most defenses use do not use one-gap or two-gap line schemes exclusively. In a one-gap scheme, the defensive lineman attacks a particular hole (i.e., gap) in the offensive front and is responsible for any action directed at that gap. Against the run, the defensive lineman is expected to tackle the back who goes through that hole or force the back to move laterally into the arms of another defender. One-gap style defenders are usually quicker, more athletic, and speedy, but not as big and stout.

One-Technique: A misnomer as the term does not really apply to an actual technique, but rather the position of the defensive tackle at the line of scrimmage. In the 4-3 defense, the one-technique tackle lines up between the center and guard and is on the receiving end of a lot of double-teams in the running game. Because of this, one-technique tackles are usually big, strong, and stout, but less athletic. The other tackle (or three-technique tackle) is usually the quicker, more active penetrator. A one-technique tackle in a 4-3 defense is sometimes called a nose tackle even though most fans think of a traditional nose tackle being in a 3-4 defense.

Option: A type of running play often seen in college games, but rarely at the professional level. An option play normally has a quarterback sweeping in one direction as the ball carrier with the "option" to lateral the ball to a fellow teammate running back who is sweeping even wider than the quarterback.

Organized Team Activity (OTA): OTA’s are voluntary practice sessions held during the offseason usually between the rookie mini-camp in May and the veteran mini-camp in June. OTA’s are basically teaching sessions and serious contact between players is not allowed. Players do not practice in full pads and practices cannot last longer than 90 minutes.

Out Route: Often referred to as a square out. Pass route where the receiver drives up field and then cuts his pattern directly towards the sideline. The square-out is a timing play because the quarterback must deliver the pass before the receiver reaches the sideline and steps out-of-bounds. The quarterback must really fire this pass - if the ball hangs, it could be easily intercepted. A square out run at depth is often referred to as a deep out; a shallow square out (approximately five yards past the line of scrimmage) is often referred to as a quick out.

Pancake Block: A block where the offensive player literally knocks his opponent off his feet and onto his back.

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List: A player who fails his club’s pre-season physical at the start of training camp may be placed on the club’s Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. A player on PUP is eligible to receive his salary, but is ineligible for games and practices; he is, however, allowed to attend team meetings. For a three week period beginning with the day after the club’s 6th regular season game and ending on the day after the 9th regular season game, a player on PUP may practice with his club and/or be restored to the club’s 53 man roster (provided it is done before the day after the 9th regular season game).

Pick Play: When two receivers cross. The goal is to have one receiver intentionally block the path of a defensive player who is trying to cover the other receiver - thus allowing that receiver to become wide open. Pick plays are illegal, but seldom called.

Pitch: A running play generally made from a two-back formation. The quarterback takes the snap and fakes a handoff to the first back, who’s headed toward the line of scrimmage; then he tosses the ball to the laterally to the other runner, who has begun to move to the outside. The runner can either take the pitch outside or cut back toward the inside.

Play-Action: A pass play that begins with the quarterback faking a handoff to a running back while he’s dropping back to pass. The quarterback hopes that the defense falls for the fake and doesn’t rush him and fails to cover his targets. Play action is especially effective when used by a strong running team.

Playing Off: Coverage where the defensive back provides a cushion of space between his receiver and himself before the start of the play. Opposite of bump-and-run coverage.

Post Corner Route: Also known as the dig route. Route similar to the post route, except for after a receiver makes his post move, he then will then break to the corner of the end zone. This route often "catches" a free safety playing too far inside in anticipation of a true post pattern.

Post Route: This is a long pass in which the receiver runs down the hash marks toward the goal posts. Most teams use the hash marks as a guiding system for both the quarterback and the receiver. This play is called when one safety is deep and the offense believes it can isolate a fast receiver against him. The quarterback needs to put enough loft on the ball to enable the receiver to catch the pass in stride.

Post-Snap Read: The attempt by offensive and defensive players to determine what their opposition will do AFTER the play starts. The players will look for keys (or clues) from their opponent. Players often adjust their tactics based on the post-snap read.

Practice Squad: After the final preseason cutdowns and before the regular season starts, each NFL team may establish a practice squad of nore more than eight players. These players do not count towards the roster limit, but they may be free to sign with any team at any point. Practice squad player salaries also count towards the salary cap. Free agents signed to the practice squad can only be players who do not have an accrued season of free agency credit or who were on the active/inactive list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons. If another club signs a Practice Squad player to its 53 man roster, it does not have to provide any sort of compensation to the player’s former club. Also note that a team can add and release players from the practice squad as often as it desires and the eight-man limit does not have to be maintained.

Pre-Snap Read: The attempt by offensive and defensive players to determine what their opposition will do BEFORE the play starts depending on their opponents formation and keys. Players will often adjust their tactics based on the pre-snap read.

Press Coverage: See bump-and-run coverage.

Prevent Coverage: Also called prevent defense. Coverage used in sure passing situations, especially during the last two minutes of a half. The defense is set to take away the deep pass first and, secondly, to keep all other passes in front of the coverage. Prevent defenses requires dime or quarter coverage.

Pull: When an offensive lineman is called upon to run to the outside of the formation in order to block for an outside running play. Guards are often called upon to pull.

Qualifying Offer: A salary level predetermined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the league and its players. Qualifying offers must be tendered to restricted and exclusive rights free agents in order for them to remain protected. If not, they then become unrestricted free agents.

Quality Control Coach: A quality control coach breaks down and analyzes tapes of an upcoming opponent, is involved in self-scouting (when a team studies its own tendencies, successes and failures) and is involved in several research projects. During the season, while most of the coaching staff is working on that week’s opponent, the quality control coaches are studying the teams the Giants will play the following week or two. After studying many different cutups - down and distance, formations, all screen passes, etc., they prepare a report for the other coaches. In that sense, the quality control coaches start the process of scouting opponents. In the offseason, they study and analyze both the Giants and their opponents, breaking them down to literally hundreds of segments - runs on third-and three, shotgun passes, two tight end formations. That research tells the Giants where they - and their opponents - are both strong and weak, and where they need to focus their attention.

Quarter Coverage: Coverage with seven defensive backs instead of the standard four. All three linebackers or two linebackers and a defensive lineman are usually removed in favor of the extra three defensive backs in this coverage.

Reach Block: When an offensive lineman reaches for the next defender, meaning that he doesn’t block the opponent directly in front of him but moves for an opponent to either side. The reach block is common on run plays when the play calls for a guard to reach out and block and inside linebacker.

Red Zone: The area of the field from the twenty yard line to the goal line when (1) the offensive team is in its opponent’s territory, or (2) when the defensive team is defending in its own territory.

Restricted Free Agent (RFA): RFA’s are players who have completed three accrued seasons of service (but not four or else they are unrestricted) and whose contracts have expired. The current team can match any offer and thus retain the player’s rights. If the old club does not match the offer, it can possibly receive draft choice(s) compensation depending on the level of its qualifying offer (tender). In order to remain a restricted free agent, a player must receive a qualifying tender from his team. Teams can pick one of four tender amounts (the specific dollar amount for each of the four tender options is established each offseason). The options include: (a) a 1st- and 3rd-round tender, (b) a 1st-round tender, (c) a 2nd-round tender, and (d) a minimum tender. Players tendered at the minimum level carry compensation equivalent to the round in which they were originally drafted. Players who were originally rookie free agents carry no compensation if a minimum qualifying offer is tendered. If a player is tendered at the highest level (1st- and 3rd-round tender) and the team chooses not to match the offer from another team, the team signing the player would have to give the original team its 1st- and 3rd-round draft picks.

Reverse: A misdirection running play where the running back receives the handoff from the quarterback and then runs laterally behind the line of scrimmage. The ball carrier then meets up with a receiver running toward him and then hands the ball to that receiver. The offensive line blocks as if the ball were intended for the halfback so that the defensive players follow him. After the receiver comes in motion and has the ball, he runs in the opposite direction, or against the flow of his own blockers. The play’s success usually depends on the backside defender over-pursing and being out of position. If not, the play will probably be stopped for a loss or no gain.

Rookie Free Agent: A player who was eligible to be drafted but was not and who is therefore free to sign with any club after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Rookie Pool Allocation: The rookie pool is set by the NFL for each team after the NFL Draft. The pool is the maximum in aggregate cap space that clubs can spend on their draft choices and undrafted free agents. A team’s rookie allocation is part of, not in addition to, its salary cap. The formula for deriving each team’s rookie pool is basically a function of how many overall choices a franchise makes and where those picks are slotted in each round.

Salary Cap: The salary cap is the maximum each club may spend on player salaries in a capped year. In 2006, the salary cap is $102 million per club. The cap is in effect 365 days a year. From the start of free agency to the day before the season begins, a club’s top 51 salaried players count towards the cap, plus pro-rated signing bonuses, incentives, etc., but not base salaries of other players on the roster up to 80. Thereafter, all salaries on a club’s roster count towards the cap.

Seam Pass: A pass that attacks the vertical space or holes between defensive backs in the intermediate- to deep-middle of the secondary. A seam pass is thrown to the tight end or wide receiver running straight down the hash marks.

Screen Pass: A forward pass in which at least one blocker runs wide to a specific side of the field and then blocks upfield for a running back or other receiver once he catches the short pass from the quarterback. A screen pass is effective against defenses who aggressively rush the quarterback and play man-to-man coverage in the secondary.

Second Level: Downfield blocking.

Separate: The ability of a receiver to put distance between himself and the defender on a pass pattern.

Shotgun: When the quarterback sets up in the backfield instead of under the center before the snap of the football. Most often used in obvious passing situations.

Sight Adjustment: When a receiver, running back, or tight end changes his called pass pattern due to the type of coverage being employed by the secondary or the recognition of a blitz. Sight adjustments are common in the West Coast Offense.

Slant Run: Instead of running straight toward the line of scrimmage, the runner slants his angle outside after he is handed the ball. A slant is used to take advantage of defenses that over-pursue, allowing the offensive linemen to be more effective by pushing the defenders to one side.

Slant Route: Quick route where the receiver breaks sharply to the inside of the defense, angling toward the sideline while running through the middle of the field.

Slide Block: When the entire offensive line slides down the line of scrimmage - a coordinated effort by the line to go either right or left. This technique is good when the quarterback prefers to roll or sprint out, running outside the tackle while attempting to throw the football. In that case, the line slides with the quarterback to give him extra protection to that side. Slide blocking is also sometimes used with a cutback run.

Slot Receiver: A third wide receiver who lines up between the split end or flanker and the offensive tackle or tight end, respectively. Often referred to as the "Y" receiver.

Split-Back Formation: In the split-back formation, the runners are aligned behind the two guards about 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage. Teams use this formation because it’s difficult for the defense to gauge whether the offense is running or passing. With split backs, the backfield is balanced and not aligned toward one side or the other, making it harder for the defense to anticipate what the play will be. The formation generally is a better passing formation because the backs can swing out of the backfield to either side more quickly as receivers.

Split End: The wide receiver who lines up on the weakside. Often referred to as the "X" receiver.

Split Route: Route where the receiver drives deep between a cornerback and the safety to his side of the field. The receiver takes a normal split and, on the snap, releases inside and prints to a point midway between the cornerback and safety.

Spy: Use is a defensive player (typically a linebacker) designated to shadow a quarterback who has running ability in order to restrict the quarterback’s ability to gain important yards with his feet.

Stack the Point: To hold the point of attack and not get pushed back.

Stemming: Stemming describes the action of the defensive backs when they move around after appearing to be settled in their alignments prior to the offense’s snap of the ball. By stemming, they attempt to fool the quarterback and force him into making a bad decision about where to throw the football. The most successful stemming ploy by the secondary is to give the quarterback the impression that they’re playing in man-to-man coverage when they’re really playing a zone.

Straight-Line Player: One who is effective running in a straight line but has trouble making cuts.

Street Free Agent: Players waived and who pass through waivers during a season or after a season. Considered unrestricted free agents.

Strongside: The side of the formation that the tight end lines up on. With a right handed quarterback, the strongside is usually the right side of the formation.

Stunt: A maneuver by two defensive linemen in which they alter their course to the quarterback, hoping to confuse the offensive linemen and maximize their strengths. In most stunts, one defensive lineman sacrifices himself in hopes of his teammate either going unblocked or gaining a physical advantage in his pursuit. For example, a defensive end could slant inside while the defensive tackle drops and circles around the end.

Supplemental Draft: Another annual draft held after the regular draft. The supplemental draft is intended for those players who were not eligible, for whatever reason, for the regular draft, but who are eligible to enter the NFL before the next regular NFL draft in the following year. The players included in the supplemental draft are usually guys who graduate early and decide to relinquish their amateur status and forego their fifth year of eligibility. There could be other reasons a player is eligible for the supplemental draft, such as getting kicked off his team (for disciplinary reasons), getting caught dealing with a agent (and thereby losing NCAA-eligibility status), etc. The draft order is determined using a weighted lottery similar to the NBA’s. Teams with worse records the prior year are more likely to receive high picks. Teams do not have to pick any players. The draft lasts seven rounds and is conducted via e-mail or phone. At the beginning of each round, every team indicates which players it wants to pick in that round. If no players are chosen, the next round begins. For each player a team selects, it loses a pick in the same round in the regular draft the following year.

Sweep: A running play where two or more offensive linemen leave their stances and run toward the outside of the line of scrimmage (see "pull"). The ball carrier takes the handoff from the quarterback and runs parallel to the line of scrimmage, waiting for his blockers to lead the way around the end. The run is designed to attack the defensive end, outside linebacker, and cornerback on a specific side. The fullback often also leads for a sweep.

Swim Move: Pass rushing technique where defensive player (usually a defensive lineman) knocks a blocker off balance with one arm and then uses his other arm to "swim" past his opponent.

Swing Pass: Pass to a running back out of the backfield who cuts towards the sidelines at the snap of the ball and then heads up field after catching the pass from the quarterback. This is generally a touch pass thrown in the flat (the area outside the hash marks and close to where the numbers on the field are placed).

Take On and Shed: A defensive player’s ability to take on a blocker and defeat him, as opposed to running around him.

Three-Deep Man Coverage: Same as three-deep zone coverage, except the covermen are playing man-to-man defense rather than zone defense.

Three-Deep Zone Coverage: Coverage with three deep zone defenders (two cornerbacks and the free safety) with four short zone defenders (three linebackers and the strong safety).

Three-Technique: A misnomer as the term does not really apply to an actual technique, but rather the position of the defensive tackle at the line of scrimmage. In the 4-3 defense, the one-technique tackle lines up between the center and guard while the three-technique tackle lines up off the shoulder of the other guard. Three-technique tackles are usually quicker, more active, and athletic penetrators than their stronger, stouter one-technique counterparts. A three-technique tackle is often called an under tackle.

Transition Player: A club can designate one transition player in any given year. His club must offer a minimum of the average of the top 10 salaries of last season at the player’s position or 120 percent of the player’s previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. A transition player designation gives the club a first-refusal right to match within seven days an offer sheet given to the player by another club after his contract expires. If the club matches, it retains the player. If it does not match, it receives no compensation.

Trap: A trap is a sucker run that, like the draw, is intended to take advantage of the defensive players’ willingness to attack the offense and works well against aggressive defensive linemen and linebackers. On a trap, an offensive lineman deliberately allows a defensive player to cross the line of scrimmage untouched; then another offensive lineman will hit him from the opposite side or where he’s not expecting it. The intent is to create a running lane in the area that the defender vacated. Once the defender surges upfield, across the line of scrimmage by a yard or two, an offensive lineman blocks him from the side. The trap block is also called an influence block and is a complicated maneuver and requires a lot of practice and a higher level of mobility in the trapping offensive lineman. Good passing teams tend to be good trapping teams because defenders usually charge hard upfield, hoping to reach the quarterback.

Triangle Numbers: Size, speed, and strength.

Trips Left or Right: Three receivers lined up to the left of the formation or three receivers lined up to the right of the formation.

‘Tweener: A player who projected position in the NFL falls in a gray area between two positions.

Two-Deep Zone Coverage: Zone coverage where the two safeties have responsibility for the deep halves of the field. In this coverage, the cornerbacks and linebackers are responsible for covering the underneath areas in their respective zones. The cornerbacks will try to funnel their receivers inside on this type of coverage, where there is help. This type of coverage puts a lot of pressure on the safeties and leaves the deep middle of the field vulnerable to the seam pass.

Two-Gap Defense: Depending on the play called and the philosophy of the defensive coordinator, a defensive lineman could be responsible for either one or two gaps ñ though most defenses do not use one-gap or two-gap line schemes exclusively. In a two-gap scheme, the defensive lineman is responsible for two holes (i.e., gaps) in the offensive front. His job is not really to penetrate like a one-gap defender, but play more disciplined football by holding his ground, reading where the play is heading, and clogging the more important gap. Two-gap style defenders are usually bigger, stronger, and more stout at the point-of-attack, but less athletic.

Upside: Ability to improve; potential.

Under Tackle: See three-technique.

Undercoverage: Pass coverage intended to protect against the short passing game. Usually linebackers and the strong safety will be considered part of the undercoverage, but in certain defensive packages, the cornerbacks can also be called upon to cover the flats.

Underneath: Usually refers to attacking the undercoverage (see above), in front of the defensive backs.

Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA): UFA’s are players who have completed four or more accrued seasons of service and whose contracts have expired. An UFA is free to sign with any team once the free agency period begins. If the current team loses the player, the league may award compensation in the form of a draft pick. See "Compensatory Draft Pick" for details. In the case of a lost unrestricted free agent, the compensatory pick would come form the league, not the signing team.

Veer: A quick-hitting run in which the ball is handed to either running back, whose paths are determined by the slant or charge of the defensive linemen. The term veer comes from the back veering away from the defense.

Vertical Attack: To stretch a defense from the line of scrimmage to end zone.

Waiver System: Generally, any released player with four (4) or less credited seasons is placed on waivers at 4 PM on the date he is officially released, if said release is before 4 PM. Any team can submit claims for any of the recently waived players (note a released player with more than 4 credited seasons is deemed to be "released" rather than "waived"). When a player is claimed by more than one team, then the team with the worst record in the previous NFL regular season will be awarded the player (and assume the provisions of his contract). If the records of two or more clubs who claim the same player are identical, then additional tie breakers are used to determine to which team the player is allocated. Note if a team is awarded a player, then the club will most likely have to release a player currently on their roster in order to not exceed the previously noted 53 man roster limit.

Weakside: The side of the formation opposite the end that the tight end lines up on.

West Coast Offense: Offensive philosophy that believes a team can keep possession and move the ball down field with a multi-dimensional passing game. Spread the field both vertically and horizontally, present the defense with different looks, make more receivers available in a given area than can be covered, and get the ball to the open receiver. Often uses the passing game to set up the running game.

Zone Blitz: A zone blitz is a defensive concept that tries to confuse opposing offenses by blitzing linebackers and/or defensive backs while at the same time dropping defensive linemen into coverage, filling the vacated zone. When a zone blitz works for a defense is when it confuses the opposing quarterback ñ slowing his decision-making process or causing him to make a poor decision. It also can confuse the offensive front’s blocking schemes to the point where some offensive linemen may be blocking no one while others are facing more defenders than they can successfully block. When a zone blitz does not work is when the opposing offense successfully picks up the rushers and the quarterback makes a timely, correct decision. In those cases, a defense may get caught in a mismatch where you have a defensive lineman trying to cover a niftier receiver such as a halfback in his zone.

Zone Blocking: Just like it sounds; each offensive lineman protects a specific area or zone. Even if the defensive player leaves this area, the blocker must stay in his zone because the play or ball may be coming in that direction and the quarterback wants to see that area uncluttered. Blocking in a zone is generally designed to key on a specific defensive player who is disrupting the offensive game plan.

Zone Coverage: Coverage where the defensive backs and linebackers are called upon to cover certain areas of the field, rather than certain players. In virtually all zone coverages, two defensive backs play deep (12-15 yards off the line of scrimmage) and align near the hash marks. Opposite of man-to-man coverage.

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