Backfield

Backfield

The backfield is the area of an American football field behind the line of scrimmage. The backfield or offensive backfield can also refer to members of offense who begin plays behind the line, typically including any backs on the field, such as the quarterback, running back, and/or fullback.

Play in the backfield

There are many rules which differ for play in the backfield as opposed to play in front of the line of scrimmage. A forward pass can only be legally made from the backfield. Most running plays begin with a handoff in the backfield.

If the offensive ball-carrier is tackled in the backfield, the team will lose yards, in that the distance they need to attain for a first down is more than at the beginning of the play.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Backfield — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda El Backfield es un americanismo [1] cuyo origen se remonta aproximadamente a 1910 1915 y se deriva del uso de las palabras Back (parte de atrás) Field (campo) no tiene una traducción literal al español ya que es una… …   Wikipedia Español

  • backfield — ☆ backfield [bak′fēld΄ ] n. Football 1. a) the set of four offensive backs, including the quarterback and some combination of running backs and flankers b) the set of defensive backs, usually three, four, or five, who are primarily responsible… …   English World dictionary

  • backfield — back|field [ bæk,fild ] noun uncount in football, the position behind the first line of players on a team a. the players who play in the backfield …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • backfield — n. (Football) defensive or offensive players who are positioned behind the line or behind the linebackers; area in which the backfield are positioned …   English contemporary dictionary

  • backfield — noun Date: 1903 the football players whose positions are behind the line of scrimmage; also the positions themselves …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • backfield — /bak feeld /, n. Football. 1. (used with a pl. v.) the members of the team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers. 2. their positions considered as a unit. 3. the area where the backs play. [1910 …   Universalium

  • backfield — noun a) The area of play behind either the offensive or defensive line. b) The players positioned in this area …   Wiktionary

  • backfield — noun American Football the area of play behind the line of scrimmage …   English new terms dictionary

  • backfield — back·field …   English syllables

  • backfield — back•field [[t]ˈbækˌfild[/t]] n. 1) spo the members of a football team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers 2) spo their positions considered as a unit • Etymology: 1910–15, amer …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”