Glossary of American Football - N

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National Football League (NFL)

The largest professional American football league, with 32 teams split into 2 conferences (National & American), 4 divisions each (North, West, East, South).

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Principal governing body of college sports, including college football

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Another governing body of college sports, including college football, whose member schools tend to be smaller than those of the NCAA

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)

Principal governing body of U.S. high school football and other high school sports. The NFHS football rules are used throughout the country, except in Texas and Massachusetts, where the base rules are those of the NCAA.

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

The governing body for community college athletics, including junior college (or "juco") football.

neutral zone

The region between the lines of scrimmage or between the free kick restraining lines

NFL

The National Football League

NFL Europa

The NFL's former 6-team European spring league, which folded after its 2007 season. It was originally intended to introduce Europe to the NFL culture, but it ended up being a secondary league for failed NFL players. Only a select few have successfully transitioned from Europa to NFL, most notably Kurt Warner (Amsterdam Admirals).

nickel back

An extra, or fifth, defensive back. Named after the coin, worth five cents. Popularized by the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s, now common. Used in situations where a forward pass is likely.

no good

Unsuccessful; often said of an unsuccessful field goal attempt.

no-huddle offense

A tactic wherein the offense quickly forms near the line of scrimmage without huddling before the next play.

non-winning record

A regular season record when a team wins a number of games equal to or less than it loses. A non-winning record corresponds to a winning percentage equal to or less than .500. See also: losing record, winning record, and winning percentage.

non-winning season

A season when a team wins a number of games equal to or less than it loses. See also: losing season and winning season.

nose tackle

A tackle in a 3-man defensive line who lines up "opposite the center's nose". Contrary to a regular defensive tackle, a nose tackle is often much larger and considered the 'anchor' of the line, effective at disrupting blocking schemes and stopping runs.