American Football Guide

at all times, and there is one on each side of the field. When a first down is achieved, the marker
is automatically moved down the field ten yards from the exact spot where the ball is placed on
the field at the line of scrimmage. It is the only visual reference players have on the field to know
how​ ​far​ ​they​ ​have​ ​to​ ​go​ ​to​ ​gain​ ​a​ ​first​ ​down.
Flea-Flicker- The flea flicker is a fun trick play to watch. The quarterback hands the ball the
running back and so it looks like a running play is happening. Before the runner gets to the line
of scrimmage he turns around and tosses the ball back to the quarterback and the quarterback
throws​ ​the​ ​ball​ ​to​ ​a​ ​receiver​ ​who​ ​is​ ​usually​ ​deep​ ​down​ ​the​ ​field.
Football​ ​-​ ​The​ ​ball​ ​used​ ​in​ ​American​ ​football​ ​has​ ​a​ ​pointed​ ​prolate​ ​spheroid​ ​(also​ ​known​ ​as
vesica​ ​piscis)​ ​shape,​ ​and​ ​has​ ​a​ ​large​ ​set​ ​of​ ​stitches​ ​along​ ​one​ ​side.
Formation- a formation is the way an offense or defense is aligned on the field just before a play
begins.​ ​Each​ ​player​ ​is​ ​in​ ​the​ ​spot​ ​that​ ​the​ ​play​ ​calls​ ​for​ ​them​ ​to​ ​be​ ​in.
Fourth and inches- You will hear this whenever a team is in a fourth down situation and is less
than a yard away from achieving a first down. They must then decide whether to go for it or to
punt​ ​the​ ​ball​ ​away.
Franchise-​ ​another​ ​term​ ​used​ ​to​ ​describe​ ​an​ ​NFL​ ​team
Free agent- a player who is not under contract by an NFL team. He is free to be signed and play
for any team who wishes to retain his services. There are 3 types of free agents: unrestricted,
restricted​ ​and​ ​un-drafted.
Free​ ​agent​ ​acquisition-​ ​when​ ​a​ ​team​ ​signs​ ​a​ ​free​ ​agent​ ​to​ ​a​ ​contract​ ​and​ ​makes​ ​him​ ​a​ ​member​ ​of
their​ ​team.
Fullback- a sizable player whose primary role is to block for the running back. The fullback can
receive and run the ball however and usually does get in the action at some point during the
game. A big fullback may be used to bust through the line to get a tough yard or two for a first
down, or to score a touchdown when close to the goal-line. Usually a big-bodied, powerhouse
runner can muscle his way ahead for the needed yardage. A fullback is sometimes used as a last
option for the quarterback to throw to when no other receivers are open. Fullbacks mostly line up
in formation next to the running back in the backfield behind the quarterback in what is called a
two​ ​back​ ​set.
Fumble- occurs whenever the football is lost from a player’s grasp after first having possession
of the ball for at least a count of three. When the ball is lost it is said to be a live football. A
fumble has the potential to become a turnover if the opposing team recovers the ball. One rule to
remember is, the ground cannot cause a fumble. If a player falls to the ground and upon hitting
the ground full force the ball pops out, it is not a fumble because the ground caused the player to
lose​ ​possession.
Yanks​ ​Guide​ ​-​ ​The​ ​#1​ ​Guide​ ​to​ ​American​ ​Football
Copyright​ ​©​ ​2017