OUR OFFENSIVE TERMINOLOGY
To be sure that we are all talking the same “language” and can understand each other readily, we have adopted the following offensive terminology:
Flow—Direction in which most of the backs start.
On-Side—Lineman on side of point of attack.
Off-Side—Lineman on side away from point of attack.
Near Back—Halfback on side of flow.
Far Back—Halfback away from side of flow.
On-Back—Of the two remaining backs in the backfield, the back toward call.
Off-Back—Of the two remaining backs in the backfield, the back away from call.
Point of Attack—Spot where ball crosses the line of scrimmage.
Over—Defensive man over any part of the offensive man.
Cut Off—Shoot the head and shoulder past the defensive man, destroying his correct pursuit angle to the football.
Set—Fake pass protection block.
Slam—Entertain defensive man with shoulder and forearm.
N/T—No one there.
Position Lateral—Getting self in position to receive lateral from the man with the football.
Covered—Designates offensive man with a defensive man over him on L.O.S.
L.B.—Linebacker.
M.L.B.—Middle linebacker.
L.O.S.—Line of scrimmage.
Man on L.O.S.—Defensive man down in 3- or 4-point stance on the line of scrimmage.
“6”—Right end.
“7”—Left end.
Club—A vicious running head and shoulder block attacking the defensive man’s upper extremities from the blind side. This block is used in the area approaching the point of attack.
Color—First man approached with different color jersey.
Motion—Back leaving before snap of the ball.
Ice—Receiver going to outside or inside and becoming a possible receiver after making his block or when no one shows. Yell “Ice” when open.
Trail Junction Blocker—Ball carrier straddling the outside leg of junction blocker. Stay close to him.
Pursuer—Defensive man pursuing the ball carrier.
Gap—Space between two offensive men.
Flare—Call to tell a back to run a flare route.
Drive Man—Man who does the driving on a two-on-one block.
Post Man—Man who stops the progress of the defensive man on a two-on-one block.
Odd Defense—Offensive guards not covered.
Even Defense—Offensive guards are covered.
Box Defense—Only two deep men in the secondary.
3-Deep Defense—Three deep men in the defensive secondary.
9-Man Front—Box defense.
8-Man Front—Three deep defense.
Position Ball—Bring ball immediately into belly, elbows in, ball in fingers.
Drive Block—A vicious head and shoulders block and turn opponent.
Climb Block—A brutal drive block.
Chop Block—Open field block on men in the secondary by throwing your body (extended) at his throat.
Crack Back—A vicious low reverse body block.
Groin Block—A low drive block with upward action aimed at defensive man’s groin.
Fill—Protect the area to your inside.
Shoot Out—Springing from your original stance, hitting on your hands and feet running (used to get downfield).
Against the Grain—Direction in the secondary opposite the flow.
On Linebacker—Denotes (on-side L.B. N/T M.L.B.).
Position—Getting to a spot between the man you are to block and the ball carrier.
Roll Back—Position and block defensive man from blind side.
Eagle—Call to tackle and guard to switch assignments.
Head On—Man nose on nose.
We want all of our players and coaches to understand and use our offensive terminology. One or two words either explains the descriptive action we want or identifies some segment of the offense or the opposition’s defense. The terms are simple, meaningful and descriptive.