The Index
Football Glossary
205 concepts, defined the way they are coached — what it is, why it matters, and what your program probably calls it. Every entry is written by a coach, and the AI-ssistant Coach answers out of this same file rather than from memory.
Free to read, no account. 70 of them can be seen on the 22-man field — 21 running as a play in the live simulator, the rest as an alignment you can walk around. And 11 carry reps on public all-22 that a coach reviewed before labelling — 13 in total, done right and done wrong.
205 concepts
- 40-yard dashSpecial teams · Situation · ALLalso called forty
- 5-10-5 pro agility shuttleSpecial teams · Situation · ALLalso called pro agility, short shuttle
- Alley fitDefense · Assignment · S ILBalso called alley, fill the alley, force from depthshown on the field
- Anchor a double teamDefense · Technique · DT NTalso called hold the point, anchor
- Arc blockOffense · Technique · TE T Halso called arc, arc release, loop to the corner
- Attack the QB's outside shoulder on the meshDefense · Technique · DE OLB EDGEalso called crash the mesh, attack the pull keyruns in the simulator
- Back-shoulder throwOffense · Technique · QB WRalso called back shoulder, back hip, stop and come back
- Backfield alignmentOffense · Formation · RB FB QBalso called offset, strong set, weak setshown on the field
- BackpedalDefense · Technique · CB Salso called pedal, backpedal and read
- Bail techniqueDefense · Technique · CBalso called press bail, show press play offshown on the field
- Block shed / press and releaseDefense · Technique · DT DE ILBalso called stack and shed, press and shed, half man
- Blocking schemesOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called blocking scheme, who blocks who, assignment
- Boot / nakedOffense · Scheme · QB TE WRalso called boot, bootleg, naked
- Box countBoth sides · Situation · QB OL ILBalso called box, count the box, light boxshown on the field
- Box the kickoutDefense · Technique · DE OLB EDGEalso called box it, take it with the outside arm
- BracketDefense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called double, in-out bracket, cone and bracket
- Break pointOffense · Technique · WR TE RBalso called break, sink and break, stick the foot in the ground
- Bubble screenOffense · Scheme · WR QBalso called bubble, now screen, fast screen
- Bull rushDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGEalso called power rush
- BunchOffense · Formation · WR TEalso called bunch, cluster, stackshown on the field
- Carry the verticalDefense · Technique · CB S ILBalso called carry, run the seam, carry number two
- Catch pointOffense · Technique · WR TE CBalso called catch point, high point, contested catch
- Centre (C)Offense · Position · C OLalso called C, the centre, the pivot
- Chase / trailDefense · Assignment · DE OLB EDGEalso called backside chase, trail the playruns in the simulator
- Chip blockOffense · Technique · RB TEalso called chip, chip and release, help the tackle
- Climb to the second levelOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called climb, come off, get to the backer
- Cloud (corner flat)Defense · Assignment · CBalso called corner flat, roll up
- Club-ripDefense · Technique · DE EDGEalso called club and rip, chop-rip
- Combo blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called deuce to backer, ace, combo to the mike
- ContainDefense · Assignment · DE OLB EDGEalso called force, boxruns in the simulatoron film
- Cornerback (CB)Defense · Position · CBalso called CB, corner, boundary corner
- CounterOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called counter, counter trey, GT counter
- Cover 0Defense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called zero, cover zero, all-outshown on the field
- Cover 1 (man free)Defense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called man free, one high, cover oneshown on the field
- Cover 2Defense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called two deep, cover two, two-shellshown on the field
- Cover 2 manDefense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called two man, 2-man under, man under two deepshown on the field
- Cover 3Defense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called three deep, cover three, skyshown on the field
- Cover 4 (quarters)Defense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called quarters, cover four, four acrossshown on the field
- Cover 6 (quarter-quarter-half)Defense · Coverage · CB Salso called quarter-quarter-half, cover six, split-fieldshown on the field
- Crack blockOffense · Technique · WR TEalso called crack, crack back, crack and replace
- Curl–flatOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called curl flat, hook flat, cover 3 beater
- CushionDefense · Technique · CB Salso called cushion, buffer, keep the cushion
- Cut blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called cut, chop, go low
- Cutoff / scoop blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called cutoff, scoop, backside seal
- DaggerOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called dagger, seam-dig, clear and dig
- Deep halfDefense · Assignment · Salso called half, deep half, two-deep safetyshown on the field
- Deep quarterDefense · Assignment · S CBalso called quarter, quarters, read number twoshown on the field
- Deep thirdDefense · Assignment · CB Salso called third, deep outside third, top of the thirdshown on the field
- Defensive end / edge (DE, EDGE)Defense · Position · DE EDGE OLBalso called DE, EDGE, rusher
- Defensive line techniques (0 through 9)Defense · Alignment · DT DE NTalso called 3 technique, 5 technique, shaderuns in the simulatoron film
- Defensive tackle / nose (DT, NT)Defense · Position · DT NTalso called DT, NT, nose
- Directional shading / leverageDefense · Alignment · CB S NBalso called shade, leverage, inside shaderuns in the simulator
- DisguiseDefense · Coverage · S CB ILBalso called disguise, shell, rotateshown on the field
- Double teamOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called deuce, post and drive
- DoublesOffense · Formation · WR TEalso called doubles, deuce, two by twoshown on the field
- Down and distanceBoth sides · Situation · QB ILB Salso called down and distance, 1st and 10, 3rd and long
- Down blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called down, down block, block down
- DrawOffense · Situation · QB RB OLalso called draw play
- Drive blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called drive, base block, move him
- Dropback passOffense · Scheme · QB OL WRalso called dropback, drop back, straight drop
- Eligible receiverBoth sides · Situation · WR TE RBalso called eligible, covered up, ineligible
- EmptyOffense · Formation · QB WR TEalso called empty, five wide, 3x2shown on the field
- End man on the line of scrimmage (EMLOS)Defense · Alignment · DE OLB EDGEalso called EMOL, edge, end manruns in the simulatoron film
- Field zonesBoth sides · Situation · QB Salso called red zone, green zone, backed up
- Fire zoneDefense · Coverage · ILB OLB Salso called zone pressure, 3-under 3-deep, fire zone blitz
- First-step leverageBoth sides · Fundamental · DT DE NTalso called first step, get off, steal the step
- Flat zoneDefense · Assignment · CB OLB Salso called flat, curl to flat, sink and widen
- Flood / sailOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called flood, sail, three level
- Fold blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called fold, gt fold, exchange
- Formation strengthOffense · Formation · TE WR RBalso called strength, strong side, weak sideshown on the field
- Four verticalsOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called four verts, verticals, seams
- Front shiftDefense · Alignment · DT DE NTalso called shifting the front
- Fullback (FB)Offense · Position · FBalso called FB, lead blocker, H-back
- Gap controlDefense · Assignment · DT DE ILBalso called fit your gap, gap integrityruns in the simulatoron film
- Gap lettering (A/B/C/D)Defense · Alignment · DT DE ILBalso called gaps, A gap, B gapruns in the simulator
- Gap runOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called gap scheme, power, countershown on the field
- Ghost / arcDefense · Technique · DE EDGEalso called ghost move, speed arcruns in the simulator
- Guard (G)Offense · Position · G OLalso called G, guard, puller
- Half-man relationshipDefense · Technique · CB S ILBalso called half man, half-man leverage, own your halfshown on the field
- Hand placement / hand leverageBoth sides · Fundamental · DT DE NTalso called inside hands, hands inside the frame, thumbs up
- Hash marksBoth sides · Alignment · QB WR Salso called hash, on the hash, field side
- High-low readOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called high low, vertical stretch, two on one
- Hip flipDefense · Technique · CB Salso called flip, transition, open and go
- HolderSpecial teams · Position · P QBalso called holder, spot, laces out
- Hook / curl dropDefense · Assignment · ILB OLB Salso called hook, curl, hook to curl
- Horizontal leverageDefense · Fundamental · CB S ILBalso called inside leverage, outside leverage, leverage to your helpshown on the field
- Horizontal stretchOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called horizontal stretch, flood the zone, width
- Hot routeOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called hot, sight adjust, hot receivershown on the field
- I formationOffense · Formation · QB RB FBalso called I, I-form, pro Ishown on the field
- Inside leverageDefense · Alignment · CB S ILBalso called inside shade, inside leverage, take away the slantshown on the field
- Inside zoneOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called IZ, inside zone, tight zone
- JamDefense · Technique · CB Salso called punch, hands, reroute
- Jet sweepOffense · Scheme · WR QB OLalso called jet, fly sweep, jet motion
- Kicker (K)Special teams · Position · Kalso called K, placekicker, PK
- Kickout blockOffense · Technique · FB TE Galso called kickout, kick, trap block
- Knee drop against a double teamDefense · Technique · DT NTalso called drop anchor, knee down
- LevelsOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called levels, in-cut levels, hi-lo the mike
- LeverageBoth sides · Fundamental · DT DE NTalso called leverage, advantage, position
- Line games (stunts, twists, loops)Defense · Technique · DT DE NTalso called twists, games, exchanges
- Line of scrimmageBoth sides · Alignment · OL DL WRalso called LOS, the line, the ball
- Linebacker (ILB, OLB)Defense · Position · ILB OLBalso called LB, Mike, Will
- Log blockOffense · Technique · FB TE Galso called log, hook the end, seal and go around
- Long armDefense · Technique · DE EDGEalso called long-arm stab, stab
- Long snapper (LS)Special teams · Position · LSalso called LS, snapper, deep snapper
- Man coverageDefense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called man, man-to-man, MEGshown on the field
- Man protectionOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called man pro, BOB, big on big
- MeshOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called mesh, shallow cross, rub
- Mesh pointOffense · Situation · QB RBalso called the mesh, ride and decideruns in the simulator
- Midline optionOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called midline, midline option, read the three
- MotionOffense · Formation · WR TE RBalso called motion, jet motion, orbit
- Neutral zoneBoth sides · Alignment · OL DL DTalso called neutral zone, offside, encroachmentshown on the field
- Nickel / slot defender (NB)Defense · Position · NB CB Salso called nickel, NB, starshown on the field
- Nub sideOffense · Formation · TEalso called nub, nub tight end, solo tight endshown on the field
- Off manDefense · Technique · CBalso called soft man, catch techniqueruns in the simulatoron film
- Option responsibility (dive / QB / pitch)Defense · Assignment · DE OLB ILBalso called dive-QB-pitch, triple option rulesruns in the simulator
- Outside leverageDefense · Alignment · CB S OLBalso called outside shade, outside leverage, funnel insideshown on the field
- Outside zone / stretchOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called OZ, outside zone, wide zone
- Pad levelBoth sides · Fundamental · DT DE NTalso called pads, low man wins, get under him
- Pass rush move familyDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGEruns in the simulatoron film
- Pass sets (vertical, kick, jump)Offense · Technique · OL T Galso called vertical set, kick slide, jump setruns in the simulator
- Pattern matchDefense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called match, match quarters, read coverageshown on the field
- Pedal and driveDefense · Technique · CB S ILBalso called plant and drive, break on the ball, click and close
- Personnel groupingOffense · Formation · RB TE WRalso called 11 personnel, 12 personnel, 21 personnelshown on the field
- Pin and pullOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called pin and pull, pin pull, sweep rules
- PistolOffense · Formation · QB C RBalso called pistol, pistol backfield
- Play actionOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called play action, PA, bootshown on the field
- Playing the handsDefense · Technique · CB Salso called play through the hands, at the catch point, rake
- PowerOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called power, power O, down-down-kick-pull
- Power / gap scheme footworkOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called down block, kickout, pull and wrap
- Press manDefense · Technique · CBalso called press, bump and runshown on the fieldon film
- ProgressionOffense · Scheme · QBalso called progression, one-two-three, read it out
- Punter (P)Special teams · Position · Palso called P, punter, hang time
- Quarter turnDefense · Technique · CB Salso called quarter turn, open the gate, 45
- Quarterback (QB)Offense · Position · QBalso called QB, signal caller, the trigger
- Quarterback run gameOffense · Scheme · QB OL RBalso called QB power, QB counter, sneak
- Quick gameOffense · Scheme · QB WR OLalso called quick game, three-step, rhythm throws
- Reach blockOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called reach, reach step, hook block
- Read option (zone read)Offense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called zone read, read option, give or keep
- Receiver splitOffense · Formation · WR TEalso called split, wide split, condensed splitshown on the field
- ReleaseOffense · Technique · WR TEalso called release, get off, beat press
- Returner (KR, PR)Special teams · Position · WR RB CBalso called KR, PR, returner
- ReverseOffense · Scheme · WR RB QBalso called reverse, end-around, double reverse
- RipDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGE
- RobberDefense · Coverage · S ILBalso called rat, hole player, robber safetyshown on the field
- Route treeOffense · Scheme · WR TE RBalso called route tree, numbers, 989
- Run fitDefense · Assignment · DT DE ILBalso called fitting the run, gap accountabilityruns in the simulatoron film
- Run-pass conflictOffense · Scheme · QB ILB OLBalso called conflict defender, read the conflict, put him in conflict
- Run-pass option (RPO)Offense · Situation · QB WR OLalso called run-pass option, conflict defender
- Running back (RB)Offense · Position · RBalso called RB, tailback, halfback
- Safety (FS, SS)Defense · Position · Salso called S, FS, SS
- Scrape exchangeDefense · Technique · OLB ILB DEalso called exchange, scraperuns in the simulatoron film
- ScreenOffense · Situation · OL QB RBalso called slow screen, tunnel, bubble
- ShotgunOffense · Formation · QB C RBalso called gun, shotgun, spread the ballshown on the field
- Sight adjustmentOffense · Scheme · WR TE QBalso called sight adjust, convert the route, option route
- Single highDefense · Alignment · Salso called one high, MOFC, middle of field closedshown on the field
- SinglebackOffense · Formation · QB RB TEalso called singleback, ace, one back
- Skill positionsOffense · Position · QB RB WRalso called skill, skill guys, ball handlers
- Slant–flatOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called slant flat, slant arrow, quick game staple
- Slide protectionOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called slide, half slide, full slide
- Slow play / read at the lineDefense · Technique · DE OLB EDGEalso called slow play the mesh, stay square, featherruns in the simulator
- SmashOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called smash, hi-lo the corner, hitch-corner
- Snap count / cadenceOffense · Situation · QB C OLalso called cadence, hard count, on oneshown on the field
- SpacingOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called spacing, snag, hank
- Speed optionOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called speed option, two-way option, load option
- Spill-and-force pairingDefense · Assignment · DE OLB Salso called spill and force, force playerruns in the simulator
- SpinDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGEalso called counter spin
- Split the double teamDefense · Technique · DT NTalso called split the deuce, get skinny
- Split zone / insertOffense · Scheme · TE H FBalso called split zone, insert, sift
- Spot dropDefense · Technique · ILB OLB Salso called spot, drop to the spot, landmark drop
- Squat / hard cornerDefense · Technique · CBalso called squat, hard corner, sink and squatshown on the field
- Squeeze and spill (wrong-arm)Defense · Technique · DE OLB EDGEalso called wrong-arm, wrong shoulder, cross chargeruns in the simulator
- Stack and shedDefense · Technique · DT DE NTalso called stack, shed, lock out
- Stalk blockOffense · Technique · WR TEalso called stalk, stalk block, block him in space
- StemDefense · Technique · DT DE ILBalso called stemming, shifting lateshown on the field
- StickOffense · Scheme · QB TE WRalso called stick, stick-flat, sit or convert
- SweepOffense · Scheme · OL G RBalso called sweep, power sweep, guard sweep
- SwimDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGEalso called over move
- Tackle (T)Offense · Position · T OLalso called T, tackle, left tackle
- TempoOffense · Situation · QB OL WRalso called tempo, no huddle, NASCAR
- TEX stunt (tackle-end exchange)Defense · Technique · DT DEalso called T-E stunt, tackle-end gameon film
- The front sevenDefense · Position · DT NT DEalso called front seven, the front, the boxshown on the field
- The offensive lineOffense · Position · OL C Galso called OL, the line, the five
- The pocketOffense · Scheme · QB OLalso called pocket, climb the pocket, step up
- The secondaryDefense · Position · CB S NBalso called DBs, the back end, secondaryshown on the field
- Tight end (TE)Offense · Position · TEalso called TE, Y, the tight end
- Tight end alignmentOffense · Formation · TEalso called Y, wing, flexshown on the field
- TOM / ET stunt (end-tackle)Defense · Technique · DT DEalso called ET game, end-tackle twiston film
- Toss / pitchOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called toss, pitch, toss crack
- Trail techniqueDefense · Technique · CBalso called trail man, inside trailruns in the simulator
- TrapOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called trap, influence trap, short trap
- Triple optionOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called triple, triple option, dive-keep-pitch
- TripsOffense · Formation · WR TEalso called trips, trey, three by oneshown on the field
- Tunnel screenOffense · Scheme · WR QB OLalso called tunnel, wide receiver screen, wall screen
- Two highDefense · Alignment · Salso called two shell, MOFO, middle of field openshown on the field
- Two-way goDefense · Technique · DT DE EDGEalso called free rush, head-up goshown on the field
- Under centerOffense · Formation · QB C RBalso called under center, from center, traditional snapshown on the field
- Veer / inside veerOffense · Scheme · QB RB OLalso called veer, inside veer, outside veer
- Vertical leverageDefense · Fundamental · CB S ILBalso called phase, in phase, on top
- Wall the crosserDefense · Technique · ILB OLB Salso called wall, collision the crosser, re-route
- Wide receiver (WR)Offense · Position · WRalso called WR, receiver, X
- Wrap blockOffense · Technique · G T FBalso called wrap, wrap up, puller inserts
- YankeeOffense · Scheme · QB WR TEalso called yankee, post-cross, shot play
- Zone blocking footworkOffense · Technique · OL C Galso called reach step, bucket step, zone stepruns in the simulator
- Zone coverageDefense · Coverage · CB S ILBalso called zone, area coverage, drop coverageshown on the field
- Zone runOffense · Scheme · OL C Galso called zone, inside zone, outside zone