Flag Football

Printable Information:

Offensive Positions:

*Quarterback - the leader of the team. Calls players into the huddle, yells the signals at the line of scrimmage, and receives the ball from the center. Then he hands the ball off to a running back, throws it to a receiver, or runs with it.

*Running back- a player who runs with the football; also referred to as tailbacks, halfbacks, and rushers

*Center- the player who snaps the ball to the quarterback. He handles the ball on every play

Fullback - a player who's responsible for blocking for the running back and also for pass-blocking to protect the quarterback; short yardage runners

*Wide receiver- a player who uses his speed and quickness to elude defenders and catch the football. Teams use as many as 2-4 on every play

Tight end - a player who serves as a receiver and also a blocker. This player lines up beside the offensive tackle to the right or left of the quarterback

*Backfield - the group of offensive players--the running backs and quarterback--who line up behind the line of scrimmage

Offensive line - the human wall of five men who block for and protect the quarterback and ball carriers. Every line has a center, two guards, and two tackles

Defensive Positons:

Safety - the players who line up the deepest in the secondary--the last line of defense. There are free safeties and strong safeties, and they must defend the deep pass and the run.

Linebackers - these players line up behind the defensive linemen and generally are regarded as the team's best tacklers. Most teams employ either 3 or 4 on every play. They often have the role of defending the run and the pass

Corner back - the players who line up on the wide parts of the field, generally opposite the offensive receivers.

Secondary - the four defensive players who defend against the pass and line up behind the linebackers and wide on the corners of the field opposite the receivers

*Down - a period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead. The offense gets four ___ to advance the ball 10 yards. If it fails to do so, it must surrender the ball to the opponent.

*Drive - the series of plays when the offense has the football, until it punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the ball.

*End zone - a 10 yard long area at each end of the field. When you enter, a touchdown is scored. If you are tackled in your own while in possession of the football, the other team gets a safety

Extra point - a kick, worth one point, that is typically attempted after every touchdown.

*Fair catch - when the player returning the punt waves his extended arm from side to side over his head. After signaling this, a player can't run with the ball, and those attempting to tackle him can't touch him

Field goal - a kick, worth three points, that can be attempted from anywhere on the field, but is usually attempted within 40 yards of the goal post.

*Fumble - the act of losing possession of the ball while running with it or being tackled. Members of the offense or defense can recover. If the defense recovers it, it is called a turnover

*Hand off - the act of giving the ball to another player; usually occurs between the quarterback and a running back

Hash marks - the lines on the center of the field that signify 1 yard on the field

*Huddle - when the 11 players on the field come together to discuss strategy between plays.

*In-completion - a forward pass that falls to the ground because no receiver could catch it, or a pass that a receiver dropped or caught out of bounds

*Interception - a pass that's caught by a defensive player, ending the offense's possession of the ball

*Kick-off - a free kick (the receiving team can't attempt to block it) that puts the ball into play. it is used at the start of the first and third quarters and after every touchdown and successful field goal

*Line of scrimmage - an imaginary line that extends from where the football is placed at the end of a play to both sides of the field. Neither the offense nor the defense can cross it until the ball is put into play again

*Punt - a kick made when a player drops the ball and kicks it while it falls towards his foot. Usually made on the fourth down when the offense must surrender possession of the ball to the defense because it couldn't advance ten yards

Red zone - the unofficial area from the 20 yard line to the opponent's goal line. Holding an opponent to a field goal in this area is considered a moral victory for the defense

*Return - the act of receiving a kick or punt and running toward the opponent's goal line with the intent of scoring or gaining yardage.

*Rushing - advancing the ball by running, not passing.

*Sack - when a defensive player tackles the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of yardage

*Safety - 2 points

*Snap - the action in which the ball is hiked by the center to the quarterback, to the holder on a kick attempt, or to the punter. it occurs when the ball is officially in play and action begins.

Special teams - the 22 players who are on the field during kicks and punts. These units have certain players who return punts and kicks, as well as players who are experts at covering kicks and punts

*Touchdown - a score, worth six points, that occurs when a player in possession of the ball crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line, when a player catches the ball while in the opponent's end zone, or when a defensive player recovers a loose ball in the opponent's end zone

Encroachment - when a defensive player crosses the line of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped. It results in a 5 yard penalty.

*False start - when an interior lineman on the offensive team moves prior to the snap of the ball, or any offensive player makes a quick abrupt movement prior to the snap of the ball. It results in a 5 yard penalty.

*Defensive holding - when a defensive player tackles or holds an offensive player other than the ball carrier. It results in a 10 yard penalty.

*Offensive holding - when an offensive player uses his hands, arms, or other parts of his body to prevent a defensive player from tackling the ball carrier. It results in a 10 yard penalty.

*Offside - when any part of a player's body is beyond the line of scrimmage or free kick line when the ball is put into play. Penalty is 5 yards.

*Pass interference - a judgement call made by an official who sees a defensive player make contact with the intended receiver before the ball arrives, thus restricting his opportunity to catch the forward pass. either 15 yard penalty or other team gets the ball with an automatic first down.

*Personal foul - an illegal, flagrant foul considered risky to the health of another player. Penalty is 15 yards

*Roughing the kicker - when a defensive player makes contact with the punter, provided the defensive player hasn't touched the kicked ball before contact. This is a 15 yard penalty and an automatic first down.

*Roughing the passer - when a defensive player makes direct contact with the quarterback after the quarterback has released the ball. This is a 15 yard penalty and an automatic first down.

*********You should familiarize yourself with all the terms because they will be used throughout the unit. The Terms with the * next the names will be on the test, and will be used the most. **********