Football 101 Q-T

Quarter: One of four equal periods of playing time.
Quarterback: The backfield player who receives the ball from the center on most offensive plays and in general, directs the team's attack.
Quarterback Sneak: An offensive play in which the quarterback, upon receiving the ball from the center, plunges into the line with the center and guards blocking for him in an effort to take the defensive team by surprise.
Quick Count: The instance when a quarterback calls the signals at the line of scrimmage at a faster than normal pace.
Ready List: A selection of 20 to 30 plays a team to use against a particular opponent.
Receiver: An offensive player who is eligible to receive a forward pass. Running backs and wide receivers are the normal receivers.
Reception: A forward pass that is caught by a receiver; also called a completion.
Returner: A player who is assigned to run back punts and kickoffs.
Reverse: An offensive play in which a ball carrier who is running toward one side of the field hands the ball to a teammate who is running in the opposite direction.
Roll Out: To move to the outside.
Roughing The Passer: A personal foul that is called when a defensive player runs into or tackles the quarterback after a forward pass has been thrown. The penalty is 15 yards from where the ball was spotted on the previous play.
Runback: The act of returning a punt, kickoff, or intercepted forward pass.
Running Back: A member of the offensive backfield who is used to carry the ball on running plays or is assigned to block.
Rush: To move the ball by running instead of passing.
Sack: To tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before a forward pass can be thrown.
Safety: A play in which the ball earner is tackled in his own end zone; two points are credited to the defensive team; also, either one of the two defensive players who line up farthest from the line of scrimmage.
Safety Blitz: An all-out charge by one or both of the safeties in an effort to spill the quarterback.
Safety Valve: A short pass thrown to a running back when the wide receivers are covered.
Scramble: The effort of a quarterback who runs around behind the line of scrimmage in an effort to elude would-be tacklers.
Scrambler: A quarterback with a reputation for scrambling.
Screen Pass: A short forward pass either to the right or left to a running back in front of whom a wall of blockers has formed.
Scrimmage: The contest between two opposing teams that begins at the time the ball is snapped until it is out of play; also, a practice game, often between teams formed from the same squad of players.
Secondary: The four players-the two safeties and two cornerbacks-who make up a team's defensive backfield.
Shift: A change in position by one or more offensive players as they await the snap of a ball.
Signal Caller: The quarterback.
Signals: The words used by the quarterback in the huddle to inform the other players as to the formation and play to be used on the upcoming down. The quarterback also uses signals at the line of scrimmage to instruct the center when to snap the ball.
Slant: A running play in which the ball earner moves into the tine at an angle.
Slot: On the offensive line, a wide gap between a pass receiver and a tackle.
Snap: The action of the center in putting the ball in play by handing or passing it between his legs to the quarterback, punter , or holder.
Spear: To lunge helmet-first at an opponent.
Special Teams: One of several squads of players used by a team on punts, field-goal attempts, kickoffs, and in returning punts and kickoffs. Because most players are running at full speed on these plays, the special-team injury rate is higher than normal. Also called bomb squad, suicide squad.
Spiral: The rotation of the ball on its long axis after it has been passed or punted.
Skating: A body position in which the skater bends forward, one leg extended backward with a straight knee, the arms extended out to the side.
Split End: A pass receiver that lines up several yards away from the player closest to him.
Square In (Dig): A pass route in which the receiver runs down field for several yards and then cuts at a right angle toward the center of the field.
Square Out: A pass route in which the receiver runs down field for several yards and then cuts at a right angle towards the nearest sideline.
Straight-Arm: To ward off a tackler by using one's hand and arm.
Strong Side: The side of an unbalanced line with the larger number of players.
Stunt: When a defensive lineman moves into a position that would normally be filled by another defensive lineman. It is done to confuse the offense.
Sweep: A play in which the ball earner dashes for the outside behind blocking linemen before turning up field.
Swing Pass: A short pass to a back running outside.
Tackle: The act of seizing the ball carrier and throwing him to the ground or otherwise stopping his progress.