fumble, muff - (sports) dropping the ball

centering, snap - (American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back; "the quarterback fumbled the snap"

fair catch - (American football) a catch of a punt on the fly by a defensive player who has signalled that he will not run and so should not be tackled

interception - (American football) the act of catching a football by a player on the opposing team

reception - (American football) the act of catching a pass in football; "the tight end made a great reception on the 20 yard line"

straight-arm - (American football) the act of warding off a tackler by holding the arm fully extended with the hand against the opponent

touchback - (American football) a play in which the opposing team has kicked the football into your end zone

safety - a score in American football; a player is tackled behind his own goal line

touchdown - a score in American football; being in possession of the ball across the opponents' goal line

field goal - a score in American football; a score made by kicking the ball between the opponents' goal posts

extra point, point after - a score in American football made on a try for points after a touchdown

down - (American football) a complete play to advance the football; "you have 4 downs to gain 10 yards"

football, football game - any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal

touch football - a version of American football in which the ball carrier is touched rather than tackled

completion, pass completion - (American football) a successful forward pass in football

football play - (American football) a play by the offensive team

running, running game, running play, run - (American football) a play in which a player runs with the ball; "the defensive line braced to stop the run"; "the coach put great emphasis on running"

draw play, draw - (American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage

end run, sweep - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running around the end of the line

return - (American football) the act of running back the ball after a kickoff or punt or interception or fumble

reverse - (American football) a running play in which a back running in one direction hands the ball to a back running in the opposite direction

rushing, rush - (American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line; "the linebackers were ready to stop a rush"

passing, passing game, passing play, pass - (American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate; "the coach sent in a passing play on third and long"

handoff - (American football) a play in which one player hands the ball to a teammate

tackle - (American football) grasping an opposing player with the intention of stopping by throwing to the ground

blocking, interference, block - (American football) the act of obstructing someone's path with your body; "he threw a rolling block into the line backer"

trap block - (American football) an illegal block

back - the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage

lineman - the position of a player on a football team who is stationed on the line of scrimmage

scrimmage - (American football) practice play between a football team's squads

blitz, linebacker blitzing, safety blitz - (American football) defensive players try to break through the offensive line

trap play, mousetrap - (American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated