Reading the Defense – Reading the defense is an important skill for offensive players, and involves carefully studying defense formations and plays to predict their behavior. Because quarterbacks are the leaders of the offensive team, it is particularly vital that he be able to quickly read the defense in order to make adjustments in plays as needed. Some of the clues that quarterbacks use to determine what moves the defense may be preparing for include: whether or not a zone defense is being used, the location (how deep) of the safeties, the positioning of the corner players and how much field they are covering, and where the ‘holes’ are in different defensive formations. Quarterbacks often study game film to learn to recognize both the team’s most common plays and the individual body language and clues that might be visible on defensive players. For example, if linebackers are starting to inch up in position, the defense may be planning a blitz.

Ready List – a short list of plays custom selected for game day

Receiver – A receiver is an offensive player who specializes in running pass routes and catching the ball. Although the term wide receiver is frequently used as a generic description, receivers can actually be divided up into several different positions. These include the Split End, Flanker, Slot Receiver or Slot Backs. A split end is situated on both ends of an offensive formation, whereas a flanker lines up behind the line of scrimmage. Slot receiver is a generic term for additional receivers who line up in between the split end and the other linemen. Slot backs are most often used in a Triple Option offense. The primary role of all of the aforementioned receivers is to be ready to catch passes from the quarterback. He will follow a specific pass route in order to advance the ball as far as possible downfield after he makes the catch.

Recover – Picking up a ball after it has been fumbled is referred to as a recover. Fumbles occur when a player with possession of the ball loses control of it, dropping it. In some cases this is a situation that is forced by a defensive player grabbing or otherwise getting the ball out of the hands of the other player.When linemen recover a fumble to get a touchdown, it is one of the few ways that they may score. In order to recover a fumbled ball, many players fall prone on top of the ball while cradling it. However, this can be dangerous and the ball is easily wrestled or forced away. Most coaches teach their players to cradle the ball while they are on their sides. A fumbled ball can be recovered and subsequently advanced by either team, regardless of who had possession at the time.

Red Dog – See “Blitz”

Red shirt – A red shirt is a player who has sat out for his first year of college in order to retain his four years of eligibility, usually because of an injury or academic problems; as opposed to ‘true freshman’. The term may be used as an adjective, a verb or a noun (as in ‘a player redshirted’, ‘ he’s a redshirt’ or ‘a redshirt freshman’.) In most cases, college level players are eligible to play in the NCAA in his or her sport for four years. When a player is a redshirt, he or she is able to attend practices with the team, and to begin his or her academic career, but may not play in any games. The practice has become more common as many students now take more than four years to complete a college degree. A student who is, in academic terms, a sophomore, but in his or her first year of NCAA eligibility is a ‘redshirt freshman’.

Red Dog – Red dog is the code name for a specific defensive maneuver in American football that is commonly referred to as a blitz. When a team blitzes it sends one or more of its linebackers or defensive backs across the line of scrimmage and over to the quarterback. These players than attempt to find a way either tackle the quarterback or to disrupt his pass. There are several variations on the Red Dog play, although the most commonly used type are linebacker blitzes. Blitzes that involve sending cornerbacks or safeties across the line are much riskier plays and can compromise the defensive coverage scheme. Although there are numerous advantages to a well-played blitz, there are disadvantages as well. First off, offensive players are frequently able to recognize that a player is going to blitz and can communicate this to other players and alter their protection scheme.

Red Zone – The red zone is the (imaginary) area of the field that falls between the opponent’s 20 yard line and the end zone. Although there are no markings that designate the parameters of the red zone, this area of the playing field is crucial to the game’s outcome and a team’s performance in the red zone can often make or break a game. Generally when the offense has managed to advance the ball this far, they will score either a touchdown or a field goal. A defense that is able to hold back scoring once the offense has the ball in this area is likely to do well and, conversely, offensive teams that are consistently able to ‘close the deal’ and score from the red zone typically win games. Field goals from the end zone are frequently successful, because of the relative proximity to the goal.

Referee – Although often used as a generic descriptor for any game official, in reality the title referee refers only to the head official. The referee’s duties include announcing and signaling penalties and deciding when the measurement chains should be brought on field to determine the first downs. He is ultimately responsible for making certain that the game is played fairly and that the rules are followed. All other game officials report to him. Seven officials, including the referee, preside over NFL games. Each has his own specific duties. In the NFL, the referee can be distinguished from the other game officials by his white cap (other officials have black caps). During the game, the referee generally positions himself behind the offensive lineup so that he can count the offensive players and watch for any false starts. The referee is also responsible for conducting the coin toss at the beginning of the game, as well as in the case of overtime.

Regular Season – The regular season is the time between the preseason and the postseason, during which each of the teams plays a set number of games in order to determine who will eventually get to the playoffs. In the NFL, the season begins the weekend after Labor Day each year. Prior to this, teams each play four exhibition bouts which do not count towards their rankings. During the regular season, which lasts for 17 weeks, each team plays a total of 16 games. Most NFL games are played on Sunday afternoons. The NFL employs a formula when setting up the regular season schedule. The formula makes certain that each team plays a specified number of games that are within their own division, within another division in its own conference. Effort is made to insure that games are divided between home and away games, and that every team gets a chance to play every other team in the league at least every four years.

Return – A return is when a punt or kickoff is returned by the receiving team. A punt return is one possible response to a team’s punt. The defense will usually send a player who is positioned far fro the line of scrimmage. This player will usually try to pick up the ball as soon as the punter from the opposite team has punted it. The returning team’s goal is to carry the ball back as far as possible, in the direction of the line of scrimmage. In order to be successful, he has to do this without getting out of bounds or being tackled by another player. Players can also choose to pass the ball, or lateral it to another player. Many teams employ players who specialize in returning either kicks or punts. In order to return a punt legally, the player who will be catching must indicate his intention by waving his arms.

Returner – A kick or punt receiver

Returner – A returner is a punt or kick receiver, who attempts to catch the ball in order to advance with it. The punt and kick returner may be the same person, or the team may employ two specialists for this purpose. When a ball is fumbled (dropped) by an offensive player, the returner attempts to get the ball back. This player must signal for a fair pass in order to be considered an eligible receiver. In the event that a returner decides, based on the game situation, that a return would not help the team, he may elect to instead make a touchback. A punt or kick returner must be very quick, agile and have good hands. He must be able to catch the ball and hold onto it. Although some teams have returners who also play as receivers or running backs, the majority of them employ one or two players specifically to handle this job.

Reverse – A reverse is a commonly used offensive trick play that is designed to misdirect the defense. In a reverse the running back takes a handoff and then gives it to a wide receiver who is running in the opposite direction. Typically, reverse plays begin as a sweep or a bootleg type play, but before crossing the line of scrimmage the ball-carrier hands off to a teammate who is going in the other direction, abruptly changing the flow of the play. Ideally, the defensive players will have been misled into going after the original rusher. There are variations of this play, including a double reverse (where there are two hand-offs, causing the flow of the play to reverse twice) and a reverse option, which is similar to a halfback option play. In some cases, a team will begin a play looking as if they will be using a reverse and then switching to an alternative play, as another means of misdirection. A reverse play is alternatively referred to as an end reverse.

Roll Out – A roll out is a maneuver in which the quarterback moves quickly to the left or right (towards the sideline) to get out of the pocket area before he passes, or runs with, the football. A roll out is incorporated into many plays as an option for the quarterback to use in the event that he is being pressured by the defense. One popular variation of the roll out is a roll out pass, in which the quarterback has the option to either run or pass the ball, and his actions give the appearance of a sweep play to the defense. Other variations of the roll out maneuver include the basic wide roll out, short roll out, sprint-out, bootleg and waggle plays. A roll out may also be referred to simply as a roll.

Rookie – a first year player in the NFL

Roster – a complete list of a team’s players

Roughing the Kicker – Roughing the Kicker is a personal foul in which a defensive player makes potentially harmful contact with the punter or kicker after the ball has been kicked. It results a 15 yard penalty and an automatic first down against the offending team. In order to be called on this penalty, the offending player must make flagrantly run into, kick, or sack the kicker after he no longer has possession of the ball. If the kicker is run into, but it is not ‘flagrant’ or potentially dangerous, the penalty is ‘running into’ rather than ‘roughing’ and results in a five yard penalty. In either case, the penalty is assessed from the ball’s previous spot. The referee signal for a ‘roughing the kicker’ penalty is to move one foot forward in a kicking motion from a normal standing position, then point to the offending team with an arm outstretched from the shoulder to the horizontal.

Roughing the Passer – Roughing the passer is a personal foul in which a defensive player makes potentially dangerous contact with the passer after he has already released possession of the ball. The foul results in a 15 yard penalty against the offending team and an automatic first down. The penalty is assessed from the ball’s previous spot (or added to the last run if ending beyond the neutral zone.) In order to be called, the offending player must flagrantly either run into, hit or sack the quarterback after he has passed or thrown the ball. This foul may also be called if a defending player hits the quarterback in the head at any time. To indicate this foul, the official first signals a personal foul. He then brings one hand up the side of his head, moving it slowly forward and then points to the offending team by stretching an arm out from the shoulder to horizontal.

Route – See “Pas Pattern”

Runback – See “Return”

Running Back – A running back is an offensive ball carrier who specializes in running with the football and sometimes running short, quickly executed pass patterns. The primary responsibility of the running back is to receive handoffs from the quarterback and begin rushing plays, to catch passes and to block. The players who are in the positions of halfback, fullback and tailback may all be referred to in general terms as a running back. There are generally one or two running backs being used in any given play, dependent upon the offense’s formation. These players carry the ball for the great majority of running plays, and may also serve as receivers on short passes. This combination of duties requires running backs to possess a variety of skills. Successful running backs must be both fast and agile, and a good receiver besides. When blocking, the running back protects the quarterback or another ball-carrier. Rarely, running backs are also used to pass the ball.

Running Into the Kicker – incidental contact with the “Kicker or “Punter” after the ball has been kicked, less serious than “Roughing the Kicker” this is a 5 yard penalty

Rush – tTo rush is to pursue the quarterback in an attempt to hurry him into making a bad passing decision or to tackle him before he is able to release possession of the ball. This maneuver requires that the defensive player get past the blocker that is protecting the quarterback. There are several different techniques that defensive players use to attempt to get at the quarterback quickly. He may ‘bull rush’ the quarterback, by putting his hands under the quarterback’s blocker’s shoulder pads, and lifting/pushing him down in order to gain access. He may also choose to rip or slide past the blocker. Another rush technique is known as ‘swimming into the backfield’, which involves grabbing a blocker’s arm, forcing him down and then ‘swimming’ over the top of him to get to his quarterback. This method can be dangerous, but is often effective when used correctly.