Football Terms Test Questions and Answers Solved Correctly Graded A+
audible - Answers When the quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage by calling out
prescribed signals to his teammates.
backfield - Answers The group of offensive players — the running backs and quarterback — who line up
behind the line of scrimmage.
blitz - Answers A defensive strategy in which a linebacker or defensive back vacates his customary
position or responsibility in order to pressure the quarterback. The object of a blitz is to tackle the
quarterback behind the line of scrimmage (also known as a sack) or force the quarterback to hurry his
pass, thus disrupting the offensive play. (Prior to World War II, this defensive strategy was called a red-
dog, but the name was changed to blitz after the German Army's blitzkrieg tactics.)
bomb - Answers A long pass play in which the quarterback throws the ball to a receiver more than 35
yards past the line of scrimmage.
bump and run - Answers A technique used by defensive backs to slow down receivers. The defender
bumps the receiver at the start of the play and attempts to keep his hands on him, as rules permit within
5 yards of the line of scrimmage, before running downfield with him.
carry - Answers The act of running with the ball. In statistical charts, a runner's rushing attempts are
listed as carries.
center - Answers The offensive player who hikes (or snaps) the ball to the quarterback at the start of
each play. The term comes from the fact that this player is flanked on either side by a guard and a
tackle; he's the middleman (or center) in a contingent of five offensive linemen or blockers. He handles
the ball on every play and also snaps the ball to the punter and holder.
coffin corner - Answers The area between the opponent's end zone and 5-yard line. Punters try to kick
the ball into the coffin corner so that the offense takes over the ball deep in its own territory.
completion - Answers A forward pass that's successfully caught by an eligible receiver.
cornerback - Answers A defensive player who lines up on one of the wide sides of the field, usually
opposite an offensive receiver. Called a cornerback because he's isolated on the "corner" edge of the
defensive alignment.
count - Answers The numbers or words that a quarterback shouts loudly while waiting for the ball to be
snapped. The quarterback usually informs his teammates in the huddle that the ball will be snapped on
a certain count.
counter - Answers A running play designed to go against, or counter to, the expected direction of the
defense's pursuit.
, defensive back - Answers A member of the defensive secondary. Defensive backs form the line of
defense whose job is to prevent receivers from making catches and then gaining lots of yards after the
catch. Safeties, cornerbacks, and nickel backs are defensive backs.
defensive end - Answers A defensive player who lines up at an end of the defensive line. His job is to
contain any run plays to his side and prevent the quarterback from getting past him. On passing plays,
he rushes the quarterback.
defensive line - Answers The defensive players who play opposite the offensive linemen. The defensive
line is made up of ends, tackles, nose tackles, and under tackles. Defensive linemen disrupt the offense's
blocking assignments and are responsible for clogging certain gaps along the line of scrimmage when
they aren't in a position to make the tackle themselves.
defensive tackle - Answers A defensive player who lines up on the interior of the defensive line. His job
is to stop the run at the line, or to shoot through the offensive line and make a tackle in the backfield. If
he can't make a play, he needs to prevent the opponent's center and guards from running out and
blocking the linebackers.
dime formation - Answers When the defense uses six defensive backs rather than the usual four. The
dime formation is used in obvious passing situations.
double foul - Answers A situation in which each team commits a foul during the same down. down: A
period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead (meaning
the play is over). The offense gets four downs to advance the ball 10 yards. If it fails to do so, it must
surrender the ball to the opponent, usually by punting on the fourth down.
down lineman - Answers A defensive lineman.
draft - Answers The selection of mostly collegiate players for entrance into the National Football League
(NFL). The draft occurs in late April. The NFL team with the preceding season's worst record selects first,
and the Super Bowl champion selects last. Each team is awarded one selection during each of the seven
rounds.
draw - Answers A disguised run that initially looks like a pass play. The offensive linemen retreat like
they're going to pass-protect for the quarterback. The quarterback drops back and, instead of setting up
to pass, he turns and hands the ball to a running back.
drive - Answers The series of plays during which the offense has the football. A drive ends when the
team punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the football.
encroachment - Answers The name of the penalty that occurs when a defensive player crosses the line
of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped. Encroachment is subject
to a 5-yard penalty.
audible - Answers When the quarterback changes the play at the line of scrimmage by calling out
prescribed signals to his teammates.
backfield - Answers The group of offensive players — the running backs and quarterback — who line up
behind the line of scrimmage.
blitz - Answers A defensive strategy in which a linebacker or defensive back vacates his customary
position or responsibility in order to pressure the quarterback. The object of a blitz is to tackle the
quarterback behind the line of scrimmage (also known as a sack) or force the quarterback to hurry his
pass, thus disrupting the offensive play. (Prior to World War II, this defensive strategy was called a red-
dog, but the name was changed to blitz after the German Army's blitzkrieg tactics.)
bomb - Answers A long pass play in which the quarterback throws the ball to a receiver more than 35
yards past the line of scrimmage.
bump and run - Answers A technique used by defensive backs to slow down receivers. The defender
bumps the receiver at the start of the play and attempts to keep his hands on him, as rules permit within
5 yards of the line of scrimmage, before running downfield with him.
carry - Answers The act of running with the ball. In statistical charts, a runner's rushing attempts are
listed as carries.
center - Answers The offensive player who hikes (or snaps) the ball to the quarterback at the start of
each play. The term comes from the fact that this player is flanked on either side by a guard and a
tackle; he's the middleman (or center) in a contingent of five offensive linemen or blockers. He handles
the ball on every play and also snaps the ball to the punter and holder.
coffin corner - Answers The area between the opponent's end zone and 5-yard line. Punters try to kick
the ball into the coffin corner so that the offense takes over the ball deep in its own territory.
completion - Answers A forward pass that's successfully caught by an eligible receiver.
cornerback - Answers A defensive player who lines up on one of the wide sides of the field, usually
opposite an offensive receiver. Called a cornerback because he's isolated on the "corner" edge of the
defensive alignment.
count - Answers The numbers or words that a quarterback shouts loudly while waiting for the ball to be
snapped. The quarterback usually informs his teammates in the huddle that the ball will be snapped on
a certain count.
counter - Answers A running play designed to go against, or counter to, the expected direction of the
defense's pursuit.
, defensive back - Answers A member of the defensive secondary. Defensive backs form the line of
defense whose job is to prevent receivers from making catches and then gaining lots of yards after the
catch. Safeties, cornerbacks, and nickel backs are defensive backs.
defensive end - Answers A defensive player who lines up at an end of the defensive line. His job is to
contain any run plays to his side and prevent the quarterback from getting past him. On passing plays,
he rushes the quarterback.
defensive line - Answers The defensive players who play opposite the offensive linemen. The defensive
line is made up of ends, tackles, nose tackles, and under tackles. Defensive linemen disrupt the offense's
blocking assignments and are responsible for clogging certain gaps along the line of scrimmage when
they aren't in a position to make the tackle themselves.
defensive tackle - Answers A defensive player who lines up on the interior of the defensive line. His job
is to stop the run at the line, or to shoot through the offensive line and make a tackle in the backfield. If
he can't make a play, he needs to prevent the opponent's center and guards from running out and
blocking the linebackers.
dime formation - Answers When the defense uses six defensive backs rather than the usual four. The
dime formation is used in obvious passing situations.
double foul - Answers A situation in which each team commits a foul during the same down. down: A
period of action that starts when the ball is put into play and ends when the ball is ruled dead (meaning
the play is over). The offense gets four downs to advance the ball 10 yards. If it fails to do so, it must
surrender the ball to the opponent, usually by punting on the fourth down.
down lineman - Answers A defensive lineman.
draft - Answers The selection of mostly collegiate players for entrance into the National Football League
(NFL). The draft occurs in late April. The NFL team with the preceding season's worst record selects first,
and the Super Bowl champion selects last. Each team is awarded one selection during each of the seven
rounds.
draw - Answers A disguised run that initially looks like a pass play. The offensive linemen retreat like
they're going to pass-protect for the quarterback. The quarterback drops back and, instead of setting up
to pass, he turns and hands the ball to a running back.
drive - Answers The series of plays during which the offense has the football. A drive ends when the
team punts or scores and the other team gets possession of the football.
encroachment - Answers The name of the penalty that occurs when a defensive player crosses the line
of scrimmage and makes contact with an opponent before the ball is snapped. Encroachment is subject
to a 5-yard penalty.
