Below is a glossary of terms and definitions found in the back of the NCAA Football 06 Prima Guide. This is a great way to not only learn about NCAA Football 06 but also about football and gaming in general as many of these terms apply to other games and the real thing. Note that some terms may seem outdated as this list was made in 2005.
ACC Acceleration rating
AGI Agility rating
ALTERNATE RECEIVER The offensive plater who acts as second-choice receiver during a pass play.
AUDIBLE – A play called by the QB at the line of scrimmage that changes the play called during the huddle. It’s often done in response to mismatches noticed by the QB before the ball is snapped.
AWR Awareness rating
BACK On the offense: the QB, HB, or FB. On the defense: FS, SS, or CBs
BALANCED LINE A formation in which there are equal numbers of players on either side of the center player.
BLITZ A defensive maneuver in which one or more linebackers or defensive backs attack into the offense’s backfield.
BTK Break tackles rating
C Center. The offensive player positioned in the formation’s middle who is responsible for snapping the ball to the QB.
CAR Carrying rating
CLIPPING To block an opponent from behind and commonly at the backs of the legs.
COMBO A combination of man/zone coverage that a defense uses to gain the benefits of both coverage types, but with a builtin trade-off.
COMPLETION A forward pass that a receiver catches.
CB Cornerback. Either of two defensive players positioned behind and beside the linebackers. They are responsible for defending against running and passing plays to the outsides of the field.
COUNTER A running play where the running back takes a handoff and runs in the direction opposite that of the play and blockers.
COVER To defend an area of the field or position.
CRACKBACK An offensive receiver who, when put in motion, can be released across the line of scrimmage, hopefully picking up a man in cover.
CROSS Where two or more passing routes cross each other, sometimes causing confusion and openings in the defensive backfield.
CTH Catching rating
CURL A pass route with a quick turnaround at the end so the receiver is facing the QB.
DB Defensive back. Safeties and cornerbacks who are positioned behind the linebackers. They provide pass coverage or support during offensive running plays.
DE Defensive ends. The right and left defensive ends (RE or LE) line up at each end of the defensive line. Their focus is sacking the QB before he gets rid of the ball.
DEAD BALL A football that is out of play.
DEFEND The attempt to prevent the offense from scoring.
DEPTH CHART A chart that contains all the positions of the team and the players assigned to them.
DIME Defensive set with six defensive backs for ultimate pass coverage.
DOUBLE BUMP A defense alignment where two defenders cover one offensive receiver.
DOWN A series of four plays or chances to advance the ball 10 yards.
DRAG A short pass route that angles toward the middle of the field.
DRAW A play in which the QB drops back pretending to pass, then hands off the ball to a running back or runs it himself.
DROPKICK A kick executed by dropping the ball toward the foot.
DROP When the defender starts closer to the line of scrimmage during a play and then drops back into his assigned coverage.
OT Defensive Tackle. DTs line up on the inside of the two defensive ends. These players work hard to close off the gaps in the defensive line’s middle.
ELIGIBLE RECEIVER An offensive player who is permitted by the rules to catch a forward pass.
FALSE START Any movement by the offensive players before the ball is snapped results in a false-start penalty.
FB Fullback. The FB is the bodyguard for either the HB or QB and lines up in the offensive backfield.
FG Field goal. A kicking play that results in three points when successful.
FLATS The area of the field along the sides of the play, within five yards of the line of scrimmage.
FLOOD A passing route scheme that heavily weights one side of the field with receivers who try to overwhelm the defensive secondary’s pass coverage.
FLY Deep pass route that goes straight downfield.
FORMATION The arrangement of players on either team at the stat of play.
FORWARD PASS A pass thrown toward the opponent’s goal line.
FS Free safety. Another type of defensive back who lines up in the secondary between, but still deeper than, the CBs. The FS is the last possible defense.
FUMBLE To drop a ball that is in play.
GOAL LINE The line at each end of the field that the opposing team must cross to score a touchdowr,.
H Holder. The player assigned to hold the ball for the kicker.
HAIL MARY A passing pattern in which all receivers run straight fly routes doWTifield.
HB Halfback. An offensive player who lines up behind the quarterback with the fullback. They’re often the main players in running plays.
HANG TIME The amount of time a football remains in the air during a kick or pass.
HITCH A short pass route that has the receiver run straight downfield and then immediately stop and tum to catch the ball.
HOLDING Using ones hands to restrict the movement of a player on the opposing team.
HOOK A pass route where the receiver runs downfield, then turns and runs back toward the quarterback.
HUDDLE A brief gathering of players on each team where the QB instructs on the next play.
ILB Inside linebacker. When there are two MLBs on a defensive formation that has four linebackers, they’re called inside linebackers.
INCOMPLETION A forward pass that is not caught by its intended receiver.
INJ Injury rating
INSIDE BLITZ A blitz maneuver that travels between the defensive ends.
INTERCEPTION A forward pass that is caught by a player on the defense.
ISO A running play where a single player is “isolated” as the ballcarrier.
JMP Jumping rating
K Kicker. This person executes all kickoffs, extra-point attempts after touchdowr,s, and field-goal attempts.
KAC Kick accuracy rating
KICKOFF To place-kick the ball toward the opposing team.
KOS Kickoff specialist. This member of the special teams executes maximum-distance kicks during the kickoffs that start the half or after a touchdown.
KPW Kick power rating
KR Kick returner. The KR runs the ball upfield on a kick from the place kicker or from the punter. His main objective is to get the ball as far down the field as possible without giving the ball back to the kicking team.
LB Linebacker. Defensive player who lines up behind the defensive linemen; they are the second line of defense.
LINEMAN Any member of the defensive or offensive players who line up on the forward line at the start of a new play.
LOS Line of scrimmage. An imaginary line separating the offense from the defense, and upon which the teams line up for each new play.
MAN A defensive coverage that matches one defender with one receiver. Best for short or medium yardage situations.
MAN-IN-MOTION An offensive player who runs parallel to the line of scrimmage before the QB calls the signals and the center snaps the ball. Then, when the ball is snapped, the offensive player runs downfield.
MAN-TO-MAN DEFENSE A defensive coverage that matches up each defender with each offensive player; used for short yardage situations.
MLB Middle linebacker. A defense may have one MLB on the field (as in a 4-3 defense); if there are two, the position is called an inside linebacker (I LB). In a 3-4 or 4-4 defense, there are two ILBs. When the play begins, the linebackers hang back to assess who is getting the ball. They aggressively protect the middle against offensive progress.
MISDIRECTION An offensive play that goes against the blocking flow.
NICKEL A defensive set with five defensive backs.
OFFENSIVE GUARD (G/RG/LG) Right and left guards are members of the offensive line, positioned on either side of the center. Guards must be large, fast, and very strong to safeguard the formation’s inside and protect the QB.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE (T/RT/LT) The right and left tackles are members of the formidable offensive line, and they’re huge! Two tackles are on every play, and they line up on the outside of the guards.
OFF-SEASON The time of year when college teams are not playing their regular season.
OFFSIDE When a defensive player is across the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.
OLB Outside linebacker. Right or left OLBs line up behind the defensive linemen and in front of the defensive backfield or secondary. The linebackers react to the offensive play after the ball is in motion. They can close off the middle or jet to the outsides to intercept a pass.
ONSIDE KICK A short kick intended to be recovered by the kicking team.
OPTION An offensive play in which the quarterback can run with the ball, hand it off to a running back, or pitch it out to a running back.
OUT A pass route that goes straight downfield, then turns sharply toward either sideline.
OUTSIDE BLITZ A blitz maneuver that travels outside the defensive ends.
OVR Overall rating
P Punter. A member of the offensive special teams who specializes in punting.
PA Play action. An offensive fake: The quarterback fakes a handoff to make the defense think a running play is coming, then he drops back to pass.
PASS RUSH The defense’s effort to interfere or stop the QB passing the ball.
PBK Pass blocking rating
POCKET The protected area formed by members of the offensive line while they block; the pocket is used to protect the QB while he sets up to pass.
PAT Point after touchdown. The single point awarded after a touchdown when the offense successfully kicks the ball through the defense’s goalposts.
POST A deep pass route that breaks toward the middle of the field near the end.
PRIMARY RECEIVER The offensive player who acts as the first choice receiver during a passing play; if he is not open, the QB scans for the alternate or the safety valve receivers.
PUNT A dropkick commonly done on the fourth down when a team doesn’t want to make a first-down attempt. Only done from out of field goal range.
PUNT RETURN (PR) The run back of a punted ball by the defended team toward their opponent’s goal line.
QB Quarterback. The offensive backfield player who is the center of all plays. He calls signals, throws passes, executes the option, and directs the offense on field.
RBK Run blocking rating
RECEIVER An offensive player who is eligible to receive a forward pass, including wide receivers and running backs.
RECEPTION A forward pass that a receiver catches.
REVERSE An offensive play in which a ballcarrier who is running in one direction hands off to another teammate who is running in the opposite direction. A risky play that can result in total misdirection for the defense.
ROLLOUT When the QB sprints toward either sideline before passing the ball.
ROSTER A list of members on each team.
RUN BACK The act of returning a punt, kick, or intercepted forward pass.
RUSH To move the ball forward in an offensive play by running instead of passing.
SACK To tackle a QB before he is able to complete a play.
SAFETY A play in which the ballcarrier is tackled in his own end zone. The defensive team is rewarded two points for this.
SAFETY VALVE The offensive player who acts as the emergency receiver during a pass play; usually a running back.
SCN Screen (as in screen play). A group or wall of blockers protecting the ball receiver while setting up for the pass from the QB.
SCRAMBLE The efforts of the QB to move the ball downfield himself.
SE Split end. A pass receiver who lines up several yards away from the next nearest offensive player.
SEAM The area between two defensive zones that can be a weakness in a team’s pass coverage.
SECONDARY The players who make up a defense’s backfield.
SL Slot. The area between the offensive tackles and the wide receivers.
SLANT A pass route that angles toward the middle of the field.
SNEAK An offensive play where the QB plunges through the line’s center with the help of the center and guards.
SPD Speed rating
SPECIAL TEAMS A squad of players who specialize in punts, field goal attempts, kickoffs, and returning all of these types of kicks.
SPY A defensive player who is given the task to shadow the quarterback or ballcar rier. Best used against scrambling quarterbacks and runs.
SS Strong safety. A defensive back who lines up in the secondary, often in a position deeper than the CBs. The 55 commonly mirrors the offensive TE’s position to strengthen a side of the formation.
STA Stamina rating
STR Strength rating
STRAIGHT ARM To ward off a would-be tackler by using an extended arm.
STRONG SIDE The side of an unbalanced line with the larger number of players; often the side with the TE.
STUNT When a defensive lineman trades places with another defensive player to confuse the offense.
SWEEP A play in which the ballcarrier dashes toward the sidelines before trying to tum the comer and run downfield
TAK Tackling rating
TE Tight end. This versatile position is basically a line accessory, positioned on one side of the offensive tackle. A TE can act both as an extra blocker on running plays or as an extra receiver on passing plays.
THA Throw accuracy rating
THP Throw power rating
TOUCHBACK The act of touching the ball to the ground behind one’s own goal line when the receiver doesn’t intend to move it downfield. The ball is then taken to the 20- yard line for the start of play.
TR Triple
TRAP A maneuver when an offensive lineman moves laterally to block instead of forward; this ideally leaves a hole in the offensive line.
TRIPS A formation that has three receivers on one side.
TWINS A formation that has two receivers on one side.
UNBALANCED LINE A formation in which there are more players on one side of the formation than another.
UPRIGHTS The twin vertical posts attached to the crossbar on the goalpost.
WEAK SIDE The side of an unbalanced formation with the least amount of players; can also be the side without the TE.
WB Wingback. An offensive position located beside and behind the tight end.
WR Wide receiver. Offensive pass receiver who is positioned at the end of the line. They are usually the fastest, most elusive members of the offense.
ZONE The area of the field that a member of the defense covers for pass protection.
