American Football Plays - Offensive Otherwise Noted

Offensive Otherwise Noted

• Basic I formation:

Also, the following terms will be used in describing plays as is:

• run block -- An active type of blocking, where the player steps forward in an attempt to push a defensive player out of the path of the ball carrier.
• pass block-- A passive type of blocking, where the player steps backward to establish a pocket around the quarterback to give the quarterback a chance to pass.
• lead block-- A situation where one player precedes the ball carrier along his intended path in order to clear any defensive players that have not already been blocked.
• pull -- When a member of the offensive line takes a step back from his usual place in a line and moves laterally in order to block somewhere else. Pulling can be done on pass and run plays.
• pocket -- The protected area around a quarterback established by the offensive line in order to give him adequate time and sight lines in order to complete a pass
• hole -- A gap in the line where a ball carrier aims on a running play. These can be predesignated holes defined by the spacing between players before the snap, or they can be established by moving players around and establishing the holes after the snap (in a play called run-to-daylight).
• snap The act of the center passing the ball from a resting position on the ground to a player behind the line of scrimmage, usually (but not always) the quarterback.
• pass -- Also called a forward pass. A ball that leaves a player's hand and moves towards the opponents goal line.
• lateral -- Also called a backward pass, pitch, or pitch-out. A ball that leaves a player's hand and moves parallel to or away from the opponent's goal line.
• handoff -- A ball that is handed directly from one player to another without leaving the first player's hands first.