Flag Football Study Sheet
Backward Pass- a pass that travels toward the goal line a team is defending. This pass can be
made by anyone on the team.
Blitz- a play where the defensive team sends players rushing towards the line of
scrimmage as soon as the ball is snapped to try to sack the quarterback
Dead Ball- a ball becomes dead when a play is over and becomes live as soon as it is
snapped for the next play
Down- unit of the game that starts with the centering of the ball and ends when the ball is
declared dead
End Zone- the 10 yard area between the goal line and the end line
Extra Point(s)- additional point(s) scored by a team after it has scored a touchdown,
either by a point-after-touchdown (1 point) or a 2-point conversion (2 points)
Field Goal- a place kick that passes above the crossbar and between the uprights of the
goalpost, earning the team that kicked it 3 points
Flag Guarding- using the hands, arms or clothing or spinning more than once to prevent another
player from pulling the flag
Handoff- a play in which one back hands the ball to another back
Incomplete Pass- a forward pass that touches the ground before being caught
Interception- a pass caught in the air (picked off) by a defender whose team immediately
gains possession of the ball and becomes the offense
Kickoff- a kick that starts the beginning of the game and after a touchdown and the extra point(s)
are attempted
Lateral Pass- passing the ball backward or sideways
Line of Scrimmage- an imaginary line marking the position of the ball at the start of each play
Offsides- advancement of a player beyond the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped
Punt- a kick made by the offensive team on 4th down if they do not believe they will be able to
make a 1st down
Safety- a score made when a free ball, or one possessed by a player defending his/her own goal,
becomes dead behind the goal
Touchdown- when a team crosses the opponent’s goal line with the ball, catches a pass in
the opponent’s end zone, or recovers a loose ball in the opponent’s end zone; earns a
team 6 points
Offensive
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QB -Quarterback - This is the player that has the ball second and he will either hand off the ball, fake a
hand off or pass the ball. He is the commander of the offense.
C - Center - The player in the middle of the line that snaps the ball (puts it between his legs) to the
quarterback. He is the commander of the offensive line.
G - Guards - The players that are next to the center and they either run block, which includes angle
blocking, or they pass block, which includes keeping the defense away from the quarterback or
running back.
T - Tackles - These players have the same job as the guards but they are usually a little bit heavier and
slower.
TE - Tight Ends - These players block and catch passes. They are the bridge between linemen and
receivers.
RB - Runningbacks - These players can either be a receiver or runner. The quarterback can either hand
the ball off to the runningback or he can throw a pass to the runningback.
FB - Fullback - This player can carry the ball or receive a pass but usually he blocks for the
runningbacks.
Defensive
POSITIONS
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DE - Defensive End: Lines up on the defensive line and attempt to tackle the ball carrier or block a pass
from being completed.
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DT - Defensive Tackle: Lines up on the defensive line and attempt to tackle the ball carrier or block a pass
from being completed.
DB - Defensive Back: Covers receivers and attempts to break up any passes to the receiver. Also must
tackle a ball carrier if necessary whether it be a receiver or running back.
CB - Cornerback: Covers receivers and attempts to break up any passes to the receiver. Also must tackle a
ball carrier if necessary whether it be a receiver or running back.
L - Line backer: Lines up behind the defensive line. Have the responsibility on watching the quarterback,
tackling any ball carrier, or breaking up any pass.
S - Safety: The last line of defense. Responsibility is to watch the quarterback to where they may possibly
throw the football so as to break up any pass no matter where on the field it may be. Must also tackle any
ball carrier.