Football Glossary
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- dead ball
The official raises his right arm directly above his shoulder, holding it for at least two seconds. - dead-ball officiating
Activity during the time immediately after the ball becomes dead. Officials should not stop officiating when the ball is dead. They continue to watch the players and potential personal fouls. - defensive back
A generic term that includes cornerbacks and safeties. Defensive backs also is a synonym for secondary. - defensive end
Defensive players positioned at the end of the defensive line. Defensive ends often are responsible for keeping any running plays from getting outside of them. - defensive formation
An alignment of defensive linemen, linebackers and defensive backs positioned to stop a particular offense. - defensive line
The makeup of a defensive line can differ from team to team. Typically, it consists of tackles and ends. It also can contain a nose guard. - delay of game
A delay of game can be the result of several different infractions, including: Failure to snap or free kick within 25-seconds after the ball is marked ready for play, unnecessarily carrying the ball after it has become dead or consuming time in failing to un-pile at the end of a down, snapping or free kicking the ball before it is marked ready for play or failure to wear legal or required equipment when the ball is about to become live. The official will cross his hand/arms over in front of his chest, arms parallel to the ground and hold this position for at least two seconds. The result is a five-yard penalty. - dime defense
A defensive alignment in which there are six defensive backs. - disregard flag
The official, with his flag in hand, waves his hand/arm across his body two times. - double team
The act of two offensive players blocking the same defender or two defensive players covering the same eligible receiver. - downfield
Refers to the direction the offensive team is moving with the ball. On a scrimmage down, it is the area beyond the neutral zone. The opposite of upfield. - downs
A series of four consecutive charged scrimmages allotted to the offensive team. To retain possession, the offense must advance the ball 10 yards to a yard line during these scrimmages. - drive
A series of plays the offensive team puts together in an attempt to score. - drop back
The movement away from the line of scrimmage taken by a quarterback after the snap. It is used to get the quarterback in position to throw or as a decoy on a running play.
