Glossary of American Football

PAT

Point After Touchdown. See try.

package

The group of players on the field for a given play. For example, the Nickel Package substitutes a cornerback for either a linebacker or a defensive lineman (the latter is referred to as a 3-3-5 Nickel), or the Jumbo package substitutes a wide receiver with a tight end.

pancake

Pancake block; sometimes shortened to cake; slang for a particularly effective block where the player being blocked is pushed onto the ground by a blocker, metaphorically "flattening" the opposing defender into a pancake. This is usually performed by an offensive lineman, tight end, or fullback, and is considered an ideal block, designed to completely eliminate the defender from the play for several seconds, or for as much time as it takes said defender to get back to his feet. While not an official statistic, offensive linemen often keep track of the number of pancakes they have made, and successfully performing this block is termed pancaking or caking an opponent.

pass

Throw; an action performed by a player, using their arm to transfer the ball to another player by throwing the ball through the air between them. Every pass is classified as either a forward pass or a lateral pass, depending on the direction the ball travels.

pass attempt

An attempt by any player to pass the ball. If successful, this results in a completion for the passer and is counted as a reception for the player who caught the ball.

pass interference

Also passing interference or P.I.; when a player illegally hinders an eligible receiver's opportunity to catch a forward pass.

pass protection

The use of pass blocking by the offensive line, tight ends and various backs to protect the quarterback from being sacked, and to allow him time and space to throw the ball. Sometimes shortened and pronounced "pass pro".

passer rating or quarterback rating

A numeric value used to measure of the performance of quarterbacks. It was formulated in 1973 and it uses the player's completion percentage, passing yards, touchdowns and interceptions.

passing play

A pass play; a play in which a forward pass is made.

passing yards

Also pass yards, passing yardage, and yards passing; the distance in total yards from scrimmage that a passer has thrown the football plus the distance any receivers have run after catching the ball. Passing yards do not include incomplete throws, nor does it measure the actual distance the ball travels through the air, as it is measured in flat yards along one direction of the field, always starting from the line of scrimmage and ending at the point that the receiver is ruled down. If the receiver reaches the end zone and scores a touchdown, then the yardage measurement ends at the opposing team's goal line (which is technically the zero-yard line). For example, if a passer completes a pass when the line of scrimmage is at the 50-yard line and the receiver is tackled and ruled down at the 20-yard line, then this would be counted as 30 passing yards for the passer, no matter how far the ball was thrown or how far the receiver ran after catching the ball. If the receiver reached the end zone, the same pass would count as 50 passing yards.

peel-back block

An action where an offensive player blocks a defender who is moving back toward the direction of his own end zone; they are illegal below the waist and from either the back or the side.

pick

1. In a play, the use of any offensive player to underhandedly block a defender simply by impeding their course of movement. This is usually designed into the play, but can occur accidentally.

2. An interception of a pass, e.g. a pass by the offense can be "picked off" by the defense.

pick-six

An interception ("pick") that is returned to the passing team's end zone for a touchdown ("six").

pistol formation

A hybrid version of the shotgun in which the quarterback lines up about 3 yards behind the center and the running back lines up directly behind the quarterback.

place kick

Kicking the ball from where it has been placed stationary on the ground or, where legal, on a tee.

play

1. See down.

2. The plan of action the offensive team has for each snap, for example a running play or pass play

play action

A tactic in which the quarterback fakes either a handoff or a throw in order to draw the defense away from the intended offensive method

play clock

A timer used to increase the pace of the game between plays. The offensive team must snap the ball before the time expires, or receive a 5 yard delay of game foul. Currently, the NFL uses 40 seconds (60 seconds after a time out).

playing field

See field of play

pocket

An area on the offensive side of the line of scrimmage, where the offensive linemen attempt to prevent the defensive players from reaching the quarterback during passing plays.

points percentage

A statistic used in league standings for comparing win-loss or win-loss-tie records. It is an alternative to the winning percentage. Used by some leagues to allow for games decided (won/lost) in overtime. Also used by the National Hockey League.

Mathematically: where is winning percentage, is number of wins, is number of ties, is number of overtime losses, and is number of games played.

pooch kick

A punt or kickoff that is deliberately kicked with less than full force. It is often used in an attempt to limit the ability of the return team to return the ball.

Pop Warner Little Scholars

The predominant youth-level (13 years old and younger) football league in the United States. The name "Pop Warner" (or its generic equivalent, "Pee Wee") can occasionally be used to refer to any youth league, whether or not it's affiliated with the national organization.

post pattern

A passing route in which the receiver sprints 8 to 10 yards, fakes a look back at the Quarterback, then sprints deep at an angle toward the middle of the field; the opposite pattern is the flag route. It is called a post pattern because the middle of the field is where the goal posts are found.

position

A place where a player plays relative to teammates, and/or a role filled by that player

possession

1. Having the ball on offense for a number of downs, ultimately resulting in either a score, a turn-over, or the end of the half.

2. Physical control of the ball after a pass or fumble.

preseason

In the NFL, games (in or around August) that do not count toward the final team standings. These games are used to pick final team rosters. Star players often have limited playing time during preseason.

prevent defense

A defensive strategy that utilizes deep zone coverage in order to prevent a big pass play from happening downfield, usually at the expense of giving up yards at shorter distances. Often used against Hail Mary plays, or at the end of the game when the defending team is protecting a lead. Disparaged by many fans. John Madden, legendary player, coach, and commentator, has been quoted as saying, "The only thing a prevent defense prevents is a win."

pro set

Offensive formation using two backs, lined up side-by-side 2-3 yards behind the quarterback, with one on either side of the quarterback

pulling

Pulling blocker; an offensive lineman who, instead of blocking the player in front of him, steps back from the line (pulls away from the line) and runs to block a defender, usually in a trap or sweep play.

pump fake

When the quarterback fakes a pass and keeps the ball in his hand in an attempt to fool the defensive team.

punt

A kick in which the ball is dropped and kicked before it reaches the ground. Used to give up the ball to the opposition after offensive downs have been used, as far down the field as possible.

punt return

When a punt is fielded by the receiving team and advanced for better field position. The punt returner generally attempts to move the ball as far up the field as possible. Alternatively, they can signal for a fair catch or allow the ball to go into the end zone for a touchback. A receiver can also immediately punt the ball back, though this strategy is not used in modern football.

punter (P)