This formation is best when facing an offense that prefers to run the ball between the tackles

If there is a term used at Football Outsiders you would like to see defined in this glossary, please email it to Contact Us.

3-4 – A defensive formation with three down linemen (two ends and a nose guard) and four linebackers. This is a good formation to run if the defense has very large players who can take up more space allowing the extra linebacker to go after the quarterback or defend against the pass.

4-3 – A defensive formation with four defensive linemen and three linebackers. This puts more defenders along the line of scrimmage.

46 defense – This is a defense that is best used against conventional offensive formations, such as the “I”. The 46 defense can struggle against formations with 4 or 5 receivers spread out. The 46 is a defense architected by Buddy Ryan and named after NFL safety Doug Plank who was a main cog in the defense when Ryan originally used it on third down blitzing situations. Plank wore #46 on his jersey. Ryan worked this defense to perfection in 1985 for the Chicago Bears, as that team’s defensive unit is frequently thought of as one of the best ever.

ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament. A ligament in the knee that when torn requires surgery and 9-12 months of rehabilitation for a player to return.

Across the middle – Refers to running a pass route in the middle of the field. Receivers can prove their toughness by frequently catching passes across the middle.

Defenders may only bump the receiver in the first five yards forward from the line of scrimmage

Alligator arms – a receiver who does not fully extend his arms to catch a pass because he is afraid that he will be hit hard immediately upon touching the ball. The receiver is protecting himself from the hit and does not catch the pass.

This technique is used against offenses that rely on timing with the expectation that a receiver will be in a spot on the field at an exact time

Audible – A call at the line of scrimmage by the quarterback just prior to snapping the ball where he changes the play because the previous one would have likely been easily stopped by the defense.

Belly – Running back runs the ball up the middle after taking the handoff from the quarterback with a reverse pivot.

Bit – When a defender falls for a fake, Example: “Ricky Manning bit on Deion Branch’s hitch and it was a big gainer for Branch.”

Blind side – The side of the field https://hookupdate.net/friendfinder-x-review/ facing the quarterback’s back side when he is dropping back to pass or standing in the backfield looking to pass. For a right handed quarterback, this is his left side or the defense’s right side. Teams put their better offensive linemen on the blind side.

Blitz – An aggressive play by the defense when they attack a specific play by the offense. A blitz can backfire if the offense is not running the play that the blitz was intended to stop.

Bootleg – when a quarterback runs out of the pocket with the ball looking to pass the ball as his first priority, but run with it if he can’t find an open receiver.

(in the) Box – the defensive area between the offensive tackles extending approximately seven yards deep in the defensive backfield. The defense will put more players “in the box” the more intent they are on stopping a running play.

BSG – Acronym used to refer to ESPN writer Bill Simmons, who before ESPN was known as the Boston Sports Guy.

Bump and run – a defensive technique where the defender will initially hit the receiver at the snap of the ball and then run with him in coverage.