Love Football? Common Terms, Acronyms and Abbreviations You Should Know

Football is America’s national sport. It is the favorite pastime for people across the country. In a 2019 survey, 65% of adults say they follow the NFL in some form. Of these respondents, 56% watch games on television while 9% tuning in via the internet.

If you’re a football fan, you appreciate the thrill that comes with watching your favorite team or players in action. This love for football has created some of the biggest superstars in the country. From Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady, Aaron Donald. Stephon Gilmore, Lamar Jackson, Chris Jones to Quenton Nelson, there are always new stars out of the mill.

For you to enjoy your favorite sport, you need to understand all aspects of the game. Football is a fast-paced game and coaches, commentators and players have to shorten words and phrases to pass the message quickly. If you don’t understand the acronyms and abbreviations used, it becomes hard to follow the game live or on television/online.

If you love football betting, learning these terms can help you follow the action and make fast decisions. You can get even more reliable statistics and updates on NFL picks, including the best sportsbooks, betting apps, news, guides and much more.  

Here are some of the popular football terms, acronyms and abbreviations that can improve your understanding of the sport.

Positions Abbreviations

  • QB-Quarterback (Calls the plays and initiates ball action)

  • RB-Running Back (Runs the ball, catches, blocks, or throws the ball) 

  • FB-Fullback (running back positions and also Lead blocker)

  • WR-Wide Receiver (Catches passes)

  • TE-Tight End (Blocks or catches passes)

  • OL-Offensive Lineman

  • C-Center (Snaps” the ball to the quarterback)

  • G-Guard

  • LG-Left Guard (Sets up to the left of C, Blocks for QB, RB, or FB)

  • RG-Right Guard (Sets up to the right of C, Blocks for QB, RB, or FB)

  • T-Tackle

  • LT-Left Tackle (Sets up to the left of LG, Blocks for QB, RB, or FB)

  • RT-Right Tackle (Sets up to the right of RG, Blocks for QB, RB, or FB)

  • K-Kicker (Kicks field goals and extra points)

  • KR-Kick Returner (Receives kicks from the opposing team)

  • DL-Defensive Lineman

  • DE-Defensive End (Sets up at either end of the DL/ pass OL, tackle QB, or tackle ball carriers)

  • DT-Defensive Tackle (Sets up in the middle of the DL/pass OL, tackle QB, or tackle ball carriers)

  • NT-Nose Tackle (Sets up in the center of the DL to Hold off OL players)

  • LB-Linebacker (Sets up between DL and FS/SS to tackle ball carrier)

  • ILB-Inside Linebacker (sets up toward the inner portion of the formation and also tackles ball carrier)

  • OLB-Outside Linebacker (positioned toward the outer portion of the formation and also tackles ball carrier)

  • MLB-Middle Linebacker (Aligns in center of formation with a role of tackling ball carrier)

  • DB-Defensive Back

  • CB-Cornerback (crucial player positioned wide in the formation with a role to tackle the player who catches the ball, stop passes or intercept passes)

  • FS-Free Safety (They align with the offense’s TE with a goal to stop TEs, RBs, and WRs)

  • SS-Strong Safety (plays closer to the DL than FS and tries to stop TEs, RBs, and WRs)

  • S-Safety (They set up in the back of the formation to stop TEs, RBs, and WRs)

  • P-Punter (Special team position and  punts the ball to the opposing team)

  • PR-Punt Returner (Returns punts from the opposing team’s punter)

Other Special Football Terms to Learn

  • Holding: A common penalty in football called on either an offensive or defensive player if they restrain an opposing player from behind.

  • Hail Mary: A long pass thrown at the end of the game in a final attempt to win or tie. 

  • Encroachment: A foul for a defensive player crossing the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.

  • GOAT: Greatest Of All Time. Tom Brady is considered a GOAT.

  • Moneyline: A bet placed on the team that is favored to win.

Wrapping Up

 

There’s so much to learn about football, and it’s all exciting. If you want to enjoy this popular sport, you’ve to keep learning.  If you love betting, all this information helps you make solid decisions.