Football Jargon Explained
by Brian
Let's face it: sometimes the sport of football can downright confuse some people with its seemingly endless lexicon of terms. There are some especially confusing terms which describe trick plays, as we saw in the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl where Boise State defeated Oklahoma due in part to a slew of trick plays. I've been assigned to help the common man understand some of these trick plays.
1. The Hail Mary
Though not a trick play, this term can confuse people. A "Hail Mary" is the coined term for a desperate, long pass attempt, usually in the closing seconds of a half or a game.
2. The Hook and Ladder
The "hook and ladder" is a pass to a wide receiver who runs a curl route. Another receiver's job is to run a streak by him. The receiver who made the catch pitches it to the already-going-full-speed second receiver. Surprise is the key element that catches the defense off-guard.
3. Statue of Liberty Play
The "Statue of Liberty play" is a fake pass by the quarterback, who holds the ball down near his hip in his non-throwing hand. While the quarterback is faking the throw, the running back takes the ball out of the quarterback's hand and takes off with it.
4. Flea Flicker
The "flea flicker" is a relatively simple trick play. The quarterback hands off to the tailback as if it was a running play. However, the tailback then pitches it back to the quarterback who then proceeds as if it were a pass play all along.
5. Play Action Pass
The "play action pass" is also a simple trick play, in which the quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back, then proceeds as if it were a pass play all along.
6. Halfback Direct
The "halfback direct" is also very simple. The quarterback and running back line up in a shotgun formation (both a few steps behind the offensive line, and next to each other). Instead of snapping it to the quarterback like usual, the center snaps the ball to the halfback who takes off running with it.
There you have it, I hope I have been able to help you so that at the next tailgating party you can feel comfortable knowing what your football-savvy friends are talking about.
Let's face it: sometimes the sport of football can downright confuse some people with its seemingly endless lexicon of terms. There are some especially confusing terms which describe trick plays, as we saw in the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl where Boise State defeated Oklahoma due in part to a slew of trick plays. I've been assigned to help the common man understand some of these trick plays.
1. The Hail Mary
Though not a trick play, this term can confuse people. A "Hail Mary" is the coined term for a desperate, long pass attempt, usually in the closing seconds of a half or a game.
2. The Hook and Ladder
The "hook and ladder" is a pass to a wide receiver who runs a curl route. Another receiver's job is to run a streak by him. The receiver who made the catch pitches it to the already-going-full-speed second receiver. Surprise is the key element that catches the defense off-guard.
3. Statue of Liberty Play
The "Statue of Liberty play" is a fake pass by the quarterback, who holds the ball down near his hip in his non-throwing hand. While the quarterback is faking the throw, the running back takes the ball out of the quarterback's hand and takes off with it.
4. Flea Flicker
The "flea flicker" is a relatively simple trick play. The quarterback hands off to the tailback as if it was a running play. However, the tailback then pitches it back to the quarterback who then proceeds as if it were a pass play all along.
5. Play Action Pass
The "play action pass" is also a simple trick play, in which the quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back, then proceeds as if it were a pass play all along.
6. Halfback Direct
The "halfback direct" is also very simple. The quarterback and running back line up in a shotgun formation (both a few steps behind the offensive line, and next to each other). Instead of snapping it to the quarterback like usual, the center snaps the ball to the halfback who takes off running with it.
There you have it, I hope I have been able to help you so that at the next tailgating party you can feel comfortable knowing what your football-savvy friends are talking about.
posted by sportzdudes at 5:45 PM
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