Descriptionary

rush to advance the ball downfield by a running play rather than a passing play.

sack to tackle the quarterback.

safety a score of two points awarded to the defen­sive team when a ballcarrier on offense is downed on or behind his own team's goal line. Also, a defensive back.

scrambler a quarterback adept at scrambling.

scrambling the eluding of tacklers by the quarter­back behind the line of scrimmage.

screen pass a pass to the side of the line of scrimmage.

scrimmage a practice game.

secondary the defensive backfield made up of the cornerbacks and safeties. Also, the area where these players are positioned.

shank to kick the ball off the ankle or side of the foot instead of the instep.

shiver to thrust the forearms up sharply to deflect an opponent's block.

shoestring catch a catch made at shoe level.

shotgun offense a spread-out formation in which the quarterback stands several yards behind the cen­ter to receive the snap in order to set up a pass play.

signals the quarterback's code used at the line of scrimmage to call the snap.

slant a diagonal pass pattern.

sled a padded steel frame on skids, used in blocking practice.

slot in the offensive line, the space between a tackle and an end.

slot formation a formation in which a running back is positioned in the slot between the tackle and the split end.

snap the center's passing of the ball between the legs to the quarterback to start play at the line of scrimmage.

spike after scoring a touchdown, the ritual of slam­ming the ball to the ground.

spiral the smooth, nontumbling spin of a well- thrown ball. Also, to throw a spiral.

split end a pass receiver positioned far to the out­side of the line of scrimmage. More commonly known as a wide receiver.

split the uprights to kick the ball through the goal­posts for a field goal or extra point.

squib kick a low, tumbling kick difficult to field without fumbling.

straight-arm to hold one's arm out stiffly to block a potential tackler.

strip the ball to knock or poke the ball out of the ballcarrier's hands and cause a fumble.

strong safety the safety lined up opposite the strong side of an offensive line.

strong side the side on which the tight end is posi­tioned.

stutter step a faked step in one direction; a short, deceiving step or momentary change in running rhythm to throw off the timing of a pursuer.

submarine to duck below a lineman's block.

sudden death overtime.

sweep to run to one side behind a wave of blockers.

tackle to knock or pull the ballcarrier down to the ground to stop play.

tackling dummy a stuffed bag used in tackling practice.

tailback in an I formation, the back positioned far­thest behind the quarterback.

TD a touchdown.

T formation a formation in which the backs assume the configuration of a T, with the fullback positioned far behind the quarterback and between the two half­backs.

thread the needle to throw a perfectly placed pass between two or more defenders into the hands of a receiver.

throw for a loss to tackle a passer behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage.

tight end an offensive lineman positioned at the end of the line of scrimmage near the tackle.

touchback an occurrence in which the ball is kicked into the opposite team's end zone and downed; it automatically brings the ball out to the receiving team's 20-yard line.

touchdown a goal or score of six points, made by successfully running or passing the ball into the opponent's end zone.

turnover a loss of possession of the ball due to a fumble or an interception.

umpire an official positioned behind the defensive line who assists the referee and is also responsible for inspecting players' equipment before a game.

unnecessary roughness kicking, hitting or butting, or tackling an opponent after the play is dead, all 15- yard penalties.

uprights the goalposts.

weak side the side of the line without the tight end.

wide receiver a pass receiver positioned on the end of the line. Also known as an end, split end, or flanker.

wishbone a formation, similar to the T, in which the halfbacks are positioned on either side and slightly behind the fullback.

zebra any of the officials, so nicknamed for their black-and-white striped shirts.

zone coverage a strategy in which each defender plays a zone instead of a man, as distinguished from man-to-man coverage.

frisbee

arcuate vanes the slightly raised diagonal ribs on a Frisbee.

Bernoulli principle the principle of physics by which air flowing over the top of a Frisbee's curved areas is slowed, producing lift.

cheek the inside face of the rim or lip.

crown see cupola.