Football Plays
Flag*
A flag or corner route is a deep play where wide receivers run straight down the field a long distance (102-150 feet), and then angle out towards the end zone and sideline.
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.
Post*
A post is a deep play where wide receivers run straight down the field a short distance (10-15 yards), and then angle in towards the center of the field (toward the goal 'posts', or like a 'flag post')
Slant*
A receiver takes two steps or more downfield then cuts diagonally across the field behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties.
Screen pass
A screen pass is a pass that is normally thrown to a receiver or running back behind the line of scrimmage. It is thrown behind the line of scrimmage so that the pulling linemen can get their blocks established.
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.
gap
A space between blockers. Defenders can shoot the gap.
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.
Draw
Also called a delay. In a draw play, the offensive line drops into pass blocking positions, and the quarterback takes a drop as though he were going to pass. He then hands the ball off to his running back (or keeps it himself) and runs forward past the rushing defenders. The idea is that the defenders will be tricked in advancing on the quarterback as though it were a pass play, and this will vacate the area just beyond the line of scrimmage for the runner to take advantage of
Counter
Also called a misdirection. In this play, the runner begins by taking a step or two away from his intended path, then doubling back and heading in the opposite direction. Often defenders are clueing on the first move of the running back. The defenders committed to the first step, but the play moves in the opposite direction.
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.
Hook/Hitch*
An eligible receiver runs a predetermined number of steps or yards upfield before stopping and turning back in slightly to face the Quarterback, in the hopes that the defender cannot react and disrupt the pass before positive yardage is made.
Option
An option play is a play in which the quarterback holds the ball and runs to either side of the offensive line, waiting for an opportunity to run upfield and advance the ball. At the same time, the running back follows, allowing the quarterback the 'option' of pitching the ball just before he is tackled.
Out*
An out route will usually feature the receiver running 7 to 10 yards downfield and then making a 90 degree turn towards the sideline.
Sweep
In a sweep play, the fullback begins by running towards the sideline before heading forward. This motion allows for some of the offensive linemen, often one or both guards, to pull from their normal positions and establish a lane for the running back to run through. A lead blocking fullback often leads him through the lane.
Toss
In a toss play, the RB "curves out" towards the sideline on either side and the QB pitches ("tosses") the ball to the RB.
Trap
In a trap, a guard on the back side of the play will pull and lead block for the running back Often, the full-back will take the place of the guard, and block the opening allowed by this.
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.
Bootleg
The quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back and continues running with the ball opposite from the direction the running back was headed.
Play-action
The quarterback takes the snap and drops back to fake a handoff to the running back. The quarterback then rapidly pulls the ball back from the faked handoff, trying to hide it from the defense. The running back continues to move upfield as if he has the ball in his hands. The offensive line starts to run block, but then quickly goes into pass protection. The receivers appear to block at first, then go into their routes.
Reverse
This play resembles a sweep, but before the running back crosses the line of scrimmage, he hands the ball off to a wide receiver going in them reverse (opposite) direction of where the running back was going. If the defense was drawn to the side of the field the running back was going towards, the receiver can outrun the defense to the other side of the field and make a big gain.
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.
Zone
Zone defense is when defensive players (typically defensive backs and linebackers) are responsible for a specific area on the field during pass coverage. Zones are usually more effective against long passes. When playing in a zone defense, a defensive player is able to observe what the quarterback is attempting to do, anticipate where a pass may be thrown, and perhaps intercept the pass. Zone defenses tend to produce interceptions of passes or outstanding collisions with receivers after they have made pass receptions.
go or fly route *
a deep route used typically when the receiver has a speed advantage over the defensive back. In the route, the receiver will run as fast as possible in order to get deeper than the defensive back allowing the quarterback to throw the ball in a spot where only the receiver can get to it.
In or Drag route *
is the opposite of the Out route. As its name suggests, the route will usually feature the receiver running 7 to 10 yards downfield and then making a 90 degree turn towards the center of the field.
naked bootleg
relies on the defense buying the fake handoff and moving to tackle the running back rather than the quarterback.
bubble screen
there are 3 receivers bunched together to one side, and after the snap the ball is almost instantly thrown to the one farthest behind the line of scrimmage.
Off tackle
this is typically the most common run play. Rather than aiming for a hole in the line, the running back aims for the spot just outside the tackle. This type of play allows for more improvisation by the running back once he is past the line, since there is often more open field in this area than in any run up the middle.
play-action pass
which is essentially the opposite of the draw play, the quarterback hopes to fake the defenders into thinking the offense is going to run the ball. The effects of this play is to slow down the pass rush of the defense and it forces the defensive backs to make a decision between covering a receiver or coming up to help stop the run.
