backfield
Behind the scrimmage
The backfield is the area of a football field behind the line of scrimmage, or collectively, the players who line up there—typically the quarterback and running backs on offense, or the safeties and cornerbacks on defense.
The team's backfield was decimated by injuries.
A handoff or pass that goes backward happens in the backfield.
Lesser in rank
- safetyFreedom from harm
- cornerbackDefensive back covering receivers
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
zone · man-to-man · press · bump-and-run · interception · turnover · contain · spy
Direct physical exchange
- carryMove while supporting
- rushQuick sudden movement
- sweepBrush clean with broom
- drawCreate with pencil
pitch · option · dive · counter · toss · cutback · hole · gap
Congested vehicle queue
- I-formationOffensive football alignment
- T-formationOffensive football alignment
- shotgunLong gun firing shot
- pistolCompact one-handed firearm
Opening play in football
secondary
Lesser in rank
- safetyFreedom from harm
- cornerbackDefensive back covering receivers
- coverageExtent of inclusion
blitz · zone · man-to-man · press · bump-and-run · interception · turnover · contain · spy
handoff
Direct physical exchange
draw · pitch · option · dive · counter · toss · cutback · hole · gap · downhill
tailback
Congested vehicle queue
- I-formationOffensive football alignment
- T-formationOffensive football alignment
- shotgunLong gun firing shot
kickoff
Opening play in football
bootleg
Illegally produced goods
flat · protection · pocket · dropback · audible · read · progression · release · outlet · safety-valve
chip
Small broken-off piece
trap · assignment · scheme
- Sports zonesend zone, red zone, neutral zone, blue line, crease
- footballfootball, touchdown, end zone, goal, pass
- field markingsyard line, yard lines, goal line, end line, sideline
- back linedefender, sweeper, libero, rearguard, stopper
- court markingsthree-point line, free throw line, baseline, center line, sideline
- rugby pitchin-goal, touchline, halfway line, goal posts, goalposts
backfieldline of scrimmage
Football's pre-snap boundary
offensive line · the line · front line · defensive line · trenches