Football Study Guide

Laces: The laced-up part of a football (these should be out when kicking a football)Offsides: When a defensive or offensive player crosses the line of scrimmage before the “snap” orhike.Line of Scrimmage: zone from point to point of the football—offense may not enter this zone,defense may not cross the line until the ball is snappedOfficial Rules and Signals:Offsides: No offensive player other than the center may enter the neutral zone before the ball is hiked.No defensive player may cross the line of scrimmage before the ball is moved.Illegal procedure: No offensive player may be moving towards the ball before it is hiked. Also, no 2offensive players may be moving before the ball is hiked.Delay of Game: The offense has 25 seconds to call their play and hike the ball.Clipping: No offensive player may block or push a defensive player from the back.Holding: No offensive player may contact another player when the ball is in the air, either on offenseor defense.Pass Interference: No player may contact another player when the ball is in the air, either on offenseor defense.Incomplete pass: The ball when thrown must be caught or the offense loses the down and the line ofscrimmage goes back to where it was on the previous play.Touchdown or field goal: These occur when the ball crosses the goal line or is kicked through thegoal posts.Ineligible receiver downfield: This occurs when a player other than a back or an end is more than 3yards downfield on a pass play.Roughing the kicker: No player may make contact with a kicker or punter after the ball has beenkicked without making contact with the ball first.Positions:Quarterback: throws the ball, sets up runsWide Receiver: receives the passCorner Back: defensive player who guards receiversCenter: hikes the ball to the QB-lines up in front of him/herLinebackers: defensive backs—guard linemanSafety: defender—lines up in the backfield—last line of defense**If you want to look up further signals or download pictures, check out www.Football.com andgo to Basic Rules.Be responsible for knowing the warm up that we practiceevery day, as well as how to perform all of the routes andskills involved in that warm up!