Canadian football is a form of gridiron football played chiefly in Canada in which two teams of twelve players each compete for territorial control of a field of play 110 yards (101 m) long and 65 yards (59 m) wide, attempting to advance a pointed prolate spheroid ball into the opposing team's end zone. Gridiron football is an umbrella term used in some countries outside North America to refer to several codes of Football played primarily in Northern America Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page A prolate spheroid is a Spheroid in which the polar Diameter is longer than the Equatorial diameter The end zone is a term used in both Canadian football and American football. In Canada, the term football is used to refer to Canadian football and American football collectively, or either sport specifically, depending on the context. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with The two sports have shared origins and are closely related, but with significant differences. Canadian and American football are very similar as both have their origins in rugby.
Rugby football in Canada had its origins in the early 1860s,[1] and over time, the unique game known as Canadian football developed. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Both the Canadian Football League (CFL), the sport's top professional league, and Football Canada, the governing body for amateur play, trace their roots to 1884 and the founding of the Canadian Rugby Football Union. The Canadian Football League (CFL ( Ligue canadienne de football (LCF in Football Canada is the governing body for amateur Canadian football. Currently active teams such as the Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger-Cats have similar longevity. The Toronto Argonauts are a Canadian Football League team based in Toronto, Ontario. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are a Canadian Football League team based in Hamilton Ontario, founded in 1950 with the merger of the Hamilton Tigers and the The CFL is the most popular and only major professional Canadian football league. Its championship game, the Grey Cup, is the country's single largest sporting event and is watched by nearly one third of Canadian television households. The Grey Cup (in Coupe Grey is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League (CFL and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team [2] Canadian football is also played at the high school, junior, collegiate, and semi-professional levels: the Canadian Junior Football League and Quebec Junior Football League are large leagues for players aged 18-22, many post-secondary institutions compete in Canadian Interuniversity Sport for the Vanier Cup, and senior leagues such as the Alberta Football League have grown in popularity in recent years. The Canadian Junior Football League is a national amateur Canadian football league consisting of 18 teams playing in six provinces across Canada The Quebec Junior Football League operated from 1970 to the present as a successor to the Quebec Juvenile Football League. Season structure Regular season The regular season is eight weeks long and opens on the Labour Day weekend The Vanier Cup (in Coupe Vanier is the name of the championship of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team The Alberta Football League ( AFL) is an amateur Canadian football league Great achievements in Canadian football are enshrined in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. See also List of attractions in Hamilton Ontario The Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a Not-for-profit corporation located
Contents |
History
The first documented football match was a game played at University College, University of Toronto on November 9, 1861. Use these when the article is good enough to warrant images --> University College University of Toronto (abbreviated as UC) is one of the constituent colleges This article is about the University of Toronto's St George Campus Events 694 - Egica, a king of the Visigoths of Hispania, accuses Jews of aiding Muslims sentencing all Year 1861 ( MDCCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A football club was formed at the university soon afterwards, although its rules of play at this stage are unclear.
In 1864, at Trinity College, Toronto, F. The University of Trinity College, referred to locally as Trinity College or colloquially as Trin, is one of the federated colleges making Barlow Cumberland and Frederick A. Bethune devised rules based on rugby football. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School However, modern Canadian football is widely regarded as having originated with a game of rugby played in Montreal, in 1865, when British Army officers played local civilians. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The game gradually gained a following, and the Montreal Football Club was formed in 1868, the first recorded non-university football club in Canada. The title of the world's oldest Football club, or the oldest club in a particular country is often disputed or is claimed by several different clubs across several different
This 'rugby-football' soon became popular at McGill University. McGill challenged Harvard University to a game, in 1874. It is through this varsity play, that the game now known as American football entered the United States. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with [3]
Predecessors of the Canadian Football League include the Canadian Rugby Football Union (CRFU), and the Canadian Rugby Union. The CRFU, original forerunner to the current Canadian Football League, was established in 1882.
As the rules of American football are very similar to Canadian football, the CFL has maintained a close relationship with its American counterpart, the National Football League (NFL). American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with The National Football League ( NFL) is the largest professional American football league. Many American players come to the CFL after failed bids to catch on in the NFL or play in the NFL after playing in the CFL (Joe Theismann, Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, Mervyn Fernandez). Joseph Robert Theismann (born September 9 1949 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA is a former American football Quarterback Harold Warren Moon (born November 18, 1956 in Los Angeles California) is a former American and Canadian football Quarterback Douglas Richard Flutie (born October 23, 1962) is a retired American football and Canadian football Quarterback. Mervyn "Swervin' Mervyn" Fernandez (born December 29, 1959 in Merced California) is a former professional American and Canadian
League play
Canadian football is played at several levels in Canada. The professional league in which the sport is played is the eight-team Canadian Football League (CFL), and its champion is awarded the Grey Cup, the oldest trophy in professional football. The Canadian Football League (CFL ( Ligue canadienne de football (LCF in The Grey Cup (in Coupe Grey is both the name of the championship of the Canadian Football League (CFL and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team The CFL regular season begins in June, and play-offs are completed by mid-November. In cities with outdoor stadiums such as Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Montreal, Hamilton, and Regina, low temperatures and icy field conditions can seriously affect the outcome of a game. Calgary (ˈkælgəriː is the largest city in the Province of Alberta, Canada Edmonton (ˈɛdmɨntɨn is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta. Winnipeg (ˈwɪnɨpɛg is the capital and largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba, and 7th largest municipality in Canada with a population Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Hamilton (ˈhæməltən ( 2006 population 504559 UA population 647634 CMA population Regina (rɨˈdʒaɪnə is the capital of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Amateur football is governed by Football Canada. Football Canada is the governing body for amateur Canadian football. At the university level, 27 teams play in four conferences under the auspices of Canadian Interuniversity Sport; the CIS champion is awarded the Vanier Cup. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS is the national Governing body of University sport in Canada, comprised of the majority of degree granting universities The Vanier Cup (in Coupe Vanier is the name of the championship of Canadian Interuniversity Sport football and the name of the trophy awarded to the victorious team Junior football is played by many after high school before joining the university ranks. There are 20 junior teams in 3 divisions in the Canadian Junior Football League competing for the Canadian Bowl. The Canadian Junior Football League is a national amateur Canadian football league consisting of 18 teams playing in six provinces across Canada The Canadian Bowl is the championship of the Canadian Junior Football League. The Quebec Junior Football League includes teams from Ontario and Quebec who battle for the Manson Cup. The Quebec Junior Football League operated from 1970 to the present as a successor to the Quebec Juvenile Football League.
Semi-professional leagues have grown in popularity in recent years, with the Alberta Football League becoming especially popular. A semi-professional athlete is one who is paid to play and thus is not an Amateur, but for whom Sport is not a full-time occupation generally because the The Alberta Football League ( AFL) is an amateur Canadian football league The Canadian Major Football League is the governing body for the semi-professional game.
The field
The Canadian football field is 110 yards (100. A yard (abbreviation yd) is a unit of Length in several different systems including English units Imperial units and United 6 m) long and 65 yards (59. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International 4 m) wide with end zones 20 yards (18. The end zone is a term used in both Canadian football and American football. 3 m) deep. At each goal line is a set of forty-foot (12. 2 m) high goalposts, which consist of two uprights joined by a crossbar 18. On the Sporting field goalposts are posts between which players must carry kick or pass a ball or similar object in order to score points or simply a goal. 5 feet (5. 6 m) long which is ten feet (3. 1 m) above the goal line. The goalposts may be H-shaped (both posts fixed in the ground) although in the higher-calibre competitions the tuning-fork design (supported by a single curved post behind the goal line, so that each post starts ten feet (3. 1 m) above the ground) is preferred. The sides of the field are marked by white sidelines, the goal line is marked in white, and white lines are drawn laterally across the field every 5 yards (4. 6 m) from the goal line.
Play of the game
Teams advance across the field through the execution of quick, distinct plays, which involve the possession of a brown, prolate spheroid ball with ends tapered to a point. A prolate spheroid is a Spheroid in which the polar Diameter is longer than the Equatorial diameter The ball has two one-inch-wide white stripes.
Kickoff
Play begins with one team place-kicking the ball from its own 35-yard line. Both teams then attempt to catch the ball. The player who recovers the ball may run while holding the ball, or throw the ball to a teammate, so long as the throw is not forward.
Stoppage of play
Play stops when the ball carrier's knee, elbow, or any other body part aside from the feet and hands, is forced to the ground (a tackle); when a touchdown (see below) or a field goal is scored; when the ball leaves the playing area by any means (being carried, thrown, or fumbled out of bounds); or when the ball carrier is in a standing position but can no longer move. If no score has been made, the next play starts from scrimmage.
Scrimmage
Before scrimmage, an official places the ball at the spot it became dead, but no nearer than 24 yards from the sideline or 1 yard from the goal line. The line parallel to the goal line passing through the ball (line from sideline to sideline for the length of the ball) is referred to as the line of scrimmage. This line is a sort of "no-man's land"; players must stay on their respective sides of this line until the play has begun again. For a scrimmage to be valid the team in possession of the football must have seven players, excluding the quarterback, within one yard of the line of scrimmage. The defending team must stay a yard or more back from the line of scrimmage.
Live play
On the field at the beginning of a play are two teams of 12 (unlike 11 in American football). The team in possession of the ball is the offence and the team defending is referred to as the defence. Play begins with a backwards pass through the legs (the snap) by a member of the offensive team, to the quarterback or punter. If the quarterback or punter receives the ball, he may then do any of the following:
- run with the ball, attempting to run farther down field (gaining yardage). The ball-carrier may run in any direction he sees fit (including backwards).
- drop-kick the ball, dropping it onto the ground and kicking it on the bounce. (This play is exceedingly rare in both Canadian and American football, although in the Canadian game it is sometimes used as a last-second "desperation play" if the team is behind by less than three points. )
- pass the ball laterally or backwards to a teammate. This play is known as a lateral, and may come at any time on the play. A pass which has any amount of forward momentum is a forward pass (see below); forward passes are subject to many restrictions which do not apply to laterals.
- hand-off--hand the ball off to a teammate, typically a running back or the fullback.
- punt the ball; dropping it in the air and kicking it before it touches the ground. When the ball is punted, only opposing players (the receiving team), the kicker, and anyone behind the kicker when he punted the ball are able to touch the ball, or even go within five yards of the ball until it is touched by an eligible player (the No Yards rule, which is applied to all kicking plays).
- place the ball on the ground for a place kick
- throw a forward pass, where the ball is thrown to a receiver located farther down field (closer to the opponent's goal) than the thrower is. Forward passes are subject to the following restrictions:
- They must be made from behind the line of scrimmage
- Only one forward pass may be made on a play
- The pass must be made in the direction of an eligible receiver.
Each play constitutes a down. The offence must advance the ball at least ten yards towards the opponents' goal line within three downs or forfeit the ball to their opponents. Once ten yards have been gained the offence gains a new set of three downs (rather than the four downs given in American football). Downs do not accumulate. If the offensive team completes 10 yards on their first play, they lose the other two downs and are granted another set of three. If a team fails to gain ten yards in two downs they usually punt the ball on third down or try to kick a field goal (see below), depending on their position on the field. A field goal (formerly "goal from the field" in US football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play ("from
Change in possession
The ball changes possession in the following instances:
- If the offence scores a field goal; the defence has the right to claim possession either by starting from scrimmage at their own 35 yard line, or by receiving a kickoff.
- If the offence scores a touchdown, the scoring team must kickoff from their own 35 yard line. This also applies when the defence scores on a turnover which is returned for a touchdown — technically, they become the offence until the conclusion of the play, and the scoring team must still kickoff.
- If the defence scores on a safety, they have the right to claim possession.
- If one team kicks the ball; the other team has the right to recover the ball and attempt a return. If a kicked ball goes out of bounds, or the kicking team scores a single or field goal as a result of the kick, the other team likewise gets possession.
- If the offence fails to make ten yards in three plays, the defence takes over on downs.
- If the offence attempts a forward pass and it is intercepted by the defence; the defence takes possession immediately (and may try and advance the ball on the play). Note that incomplete forward passes (those which go out of bounds, or which touch the ground without being first cleanly caught by a player) result in the end of the play, and are not returnable by either team.
- If the offence fumbles (a ball carrier drops the football, or has it dislodged by an opponent, or if the intended player fails to catch a lateral pass or a snap from centre, or a kick attempt is blocked by an opponent), the ball may be recovered (and advanced) by either team. If a fumbled ball goes out of bounds, the team whose player last touched it is awarded possession at the spot where it went out of bounds. A fumble by the offence in their own end zone, which goes out of bounds, results in a safety.
- When the first half ends, the team which kicked to start the first half may receive a kickoff to start the second half.
Rules of contact
There are many rules to contact in this type of football. First, the only player on the field who may be legally tackled is the player currently in possession of the football (the ball carrier). Second, a receiver, that is to say, an offensive player sent down the field to receive a pass, may not be interfered with (have his motion impeded, be blocked, etc). unless he is within one yard of the line of scrimmage (as opposed to 5 yards in American football). Any player may block another player's passage, so long as he does not hold or trip the player he intends to block. The kicker may not be contacted after the kick but before his kicking leg returns to the ground (this rule is not enforced upon a player who has blocked a kick), and the quarterback, having already thrown the ball, may not be hit or tackled.
Infractions and penalties
Infractions of the rules are punished with penalties, typically a loss of yardage of 5, 10, or 15 yards against the penalized team. Minor violations such as offside (a player from either side encroaching into scrimmage zone before the play starts) are penalized five yards, more serious penalties (such as holding) are penalized 10 yards, and severe violations (such as face-masking) of the rules are typically penalized 15 yards. Depending on the penalty, the penalty yardage may be assessed from the original line of scrimmage, the spot the violation occurred, or the place the ball ended after the play. Penalties on the offence may, or may not, result in a loss of down; penalties on the defence may result in a first down being automatically awarded to the offence. For particularly severe conduct, the game official(s) may eject players (ejected players may be substituted for), or in exceptional cases, declare the game over and award victory to one side or the other. Penalties do not affect the yard line which the offence must reach in order to reach first down (unless the penalty results in a first down being awarded); if a penalty against the defence results in the first down yardage being attained, then the offence is awarded a first down.
Penalties may occur before a play starts (such as offsides), during the play (such as holding), or in a dead-ball situation (such as unsportsmanlike conduct). Unsportsmanlike conduct (or unsporting behaviour, or archaically ungentlemanly conduct) is a term used in many professional Sports to refer to a particular
Penalties never result in a score for the offence (a penalty by the defence committed in their end zone is not ruled a touchdown); on rare occasions, penalties against the offence in their own end zone may result in a safety being scored by the defence. If the penalty yardage, once assessed would move the ball into an end zone (or further than half the distance between the end zone and the spot the penalty is assessed from), a penalty of half-the-distance is assessed instead. Note that in Canadian football (unlike American football), no scrimmage may start inside either one-yard line.
In most cases, the non-penalized team will have the option of declining the penalty; in which case the results of the previous play stand as if the penalty had not been called. One notable exception to this rule is if the kicking team on a 3rd down punt play is penalized before the kick occurs; the receiving team may not decline the penalty and take over on downs. (After the kick is made, change of possession occurs and subsequent penalties are assessed against either the spot where the ball is caught, or the runback).
Kicking
Canadian football distinguishes three ways of kicking the ball:
- Place kick
- Kicking a ball held on the ground by a teammate, or, on a kickoff (resuming play following a score), placed on a tee. The place kick is a kicking style commonly used in Rugby football when kicking for goal and is also used in American football and Canadian football
- Drop kick
- Kicking a ball after bouncing it on the ground. A drop kick is a type of kick in various codes of Football. It involves someone dropping a ball and then kicking it when it bounces off the ground Although rarely used today, it has the same status in scoring as a place kick. This play is part of the game's rugby heritage, and was largely made obsolete when the ball with pointed ends was adapted. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Unlike the American game, Canadian rules allow a drop kick to be attempted at any time by any player, but the move is very rare.
- Punt
- Kicking the ball after it has been released from the kicker's hand and before it hits the ground. A punt in some codes of football especially American football and Rugby football, is performed when the ball is Punts may not score a field goal, even if one should travel through the uprights. As with drop kicks, players may punt at any time.
On punts and field goal attempts (but not kickoffs), members of the kicking team, other than the kicker and any teammates who are onside (behind the kicker at the time of the kick), may not approach within five yards of the ball until it has been touched by the receiving team.
Scoring
The methods of scoring are:
- Touchdown
- Achieved when the ball is in possession of a player in the opponent's goal area, or when the ball in the possession of a player crosses or touches the plane of the opponent's goal-line, worth 6 points (5 points until 1956). A touchdown in Canadian football is often referred to as a "major score" or simply a "major. "
- Conversion (or Convert)
- After a touchdown, the team that scored attempts one scrimmage play from any point between the hash marks on or outside the opponents' 5-yard line. If they make what would normally be a field goal, they score one point; what would normally be a touchdown scores two points (a "two-point conversion"). No matter what happens on the convert attempt, play then continues with a kickoff (see below).
- Field goal
- Scored by a drop kick or place kick (except on a kickoff) when the ball, after being kicked and without again touching the ground, goes over the cross bar and between the goal posts (or between lines extended from the top of the goal posts) of the opponent's goal, worth three points.
- Safety
- Scored when the ball becomes dead in the possession of a team in its own goal area, or when the ball touches or crosses the dead-line, or side-line-in-goal and touches the ground, a player, or some object beyond these lines as a result of the team scored against making a play. It is worth two points. This is different from a single (see below) in that the team scored against begins with possession of the ball. The most common safety is on a third down punt from the end zone, in which the kicker decides not to punt and keeps the ball in his team's own goal area. The ball is then turned over to the receiving team (who gained the two points), and they begin their first down possession play from their own 35 yard line on their side of the field.
- Single
- Scored when the ball becomes dead in the possession of a team in its own goal area, or when the ball touches or crosses the dead-line, or side-line-in-goal, and touches the ground, a player, or some object beyond these lines as a result of the ball having been kicked from the field of play into the goal area by the scoring team. It is worth one point. This is different from a Safety (see above) in that team scored against receives possession of the ball from a kick.
- Officially, the single is called a rouge (French for "red") but is usually referred to as a single. French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people The exact derivation of the term is unknown but it has been thought that, in early Canadian football, the scoring of a single was signalled with a red flag.
Resumption of play
Resumption of play following a score is conducted under procedures which vary with the type of score.
- Following a touchdown and convert attempt (successful or not), play resumes with the scoring team kicking off from its own 35-yard line (45-yard line in amateur leagues).
- Following a field goal, the non-scoring team may choose for play to resume either with a kickoff as above, or by scrimmaging the ball from its own 35-yard line.
- Following a safety, the scoring team may choose for play to resume in either of the above ways, or it may choose to kick off from its own 35-yard line.
- Following a single, play resumes with the non-scoring team scrimmaging from its own 35-yard line.
Game timing
The game consists of two 30-minute halves, each of which is divided into two 15-minute quarters. The clock counts down from 15:00 in each quarter. Timing rules change when there are three minutes remaining in a half. A short break interval occurs after the end of each quarter (a longer break at halftime), and the two teams then change goals.
In the first 27 minutes of a half, the clock stops when:
- points are scored,
- the ball goes out of bounds,
- a forward pass is incomplete,
- the ball is dead and a penalty flag has been thrown,
- the ball is dead and teams are making substitutions (e. g. , possession has changed, punting situation, short yardage situation),
- the ball is dead and a player is injured, or
- the ball is dead and a captain calls a time-out. In sports, a time-out refers to a stoppage in the match for a short amount of time
The clock starts again when the referee determines the ball is ready for scrimmage, except for team time-outs (where the clock starts at the snap), after a time count foul (at the snap) and kickoffs (where the clock starts not at the kick but when the ball is first touched after the kick).
In the last three minutes of a half, the clock stops whenever the ball becomes dead. On kickoffs, the clock starts when the ball is first touched after the kick. On scrimmages, when it starts depends on what ended the previous play. The clock starts when the ball is ready for scrimmage except that it starts on the snap when on the previous play
- the ball was kicked off,
- the ball was punted,
- the ball changed possession,
- the ball went out of bounds,
- there were points scored,
- there was an incomplete forward pass,
- there was a penalty applied (not declined), or
- there was a team time-out.
The clock does not run during convert attempts in the last three minutes of a half. If the 15 minutes of a quarter expire while the ball is live, the quarter is extended until the ball becomes dead. If a quarter's time expires while the ball is dead, the quarter is extended for one more scrimmage. A quarter cannot end while a penalty is pending: after the penalty yardage is applied, the quarter is extended one scrimmage. Note that the non-penalized team has the option to decline any penalty it considers disadvantageous, so a losing team cannot indefinitely prolong a game by repeatedly committing penalties.
Players
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The University of Alberta Golden Bears (yellow and white, offence) are first-and-ten at their 54-yard line against the Calgary Dinos (red and black, defence) in a CIS football game at McMahon Stadium in 2006. A running back ( RB) is the position of a player on an American or Canadian football team who usually lines up in the offensive backfield. Quarterback ( QB) is a position in American and Canadian football. In accordance with the Manual of Style (see) Canadian English is used throughout this article (see Canadian_English#Spelling) In accordance with the Manual of Style (see) Canadian English is used throughout this article (see Canadian_English#Spelling) In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time This article relates to Sports. For the Vietnam War bombing raids see Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II. In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game A cornerback ( CB) (also referred to as a corner) is a positional role played by a member of the defensive team in American and Canadian In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage they In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage they A cornerback ( CB) (also referred to as a corner) is a positional role played by a member of the defensive team in American and Canadian The Alberta Golden Bears are the men's athletic teams that represent the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. First Down redirects here For the Prison Break episode see First Down (Prison Break episode. The Calgary Dinos are the athletic teams that represent the University of Calgary in Calgary Alberta, Canada. Season structure Regular season The regular season is eight weeks long and opens on the Labour Day weekend McMahon Stadium (məkˈmæn is a Canadian football Stadium located in Calgary Alberta. The twelve players of each side and the umpire (one of seven officials) are shown. In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game The Golden Bears are in a one-back offence with five receivers. A running back ( RB) is the position of a player on an American or Canadian football team who usually lines up in the offensive backfield. |
Offence
The offensive positions found in Canadian football have, for the most part, evolved throughout the years, and are not officially defined in the rules. However, among offensive players, the rules recognize three different types of players:
- Down linemen
- Down linemen are players who, at the start of every play, line up at the line of scrimmage; once in their stance they may not move until the play begins. The offence must have at least seven players lined up at the line of scrimmage on every play. The exception to this rule is the player (typically the centre) who snaps the ball to the quarterback. Linemen generally do not run with the ball (unless they recover it on a fumble) or receive a hand-off or lateral pass, but there is no rule against it. Interior linemen (that is, excluding the two players at either end of the scrimmage line) are ineligible receivers; they may not receive a forward pass either. (The two offensive ends on the line of scrimmage may receive forward passes. )
- Backs
- Backs line up behind the linemen; they may run with the ball, receive handoffs, laterals, and forward passes. They may also be in motion before the play starts.
Specific offensive positions include:
Backs/Receivers:
- Quarterback
- Generally the leader of the offence. Calls all plays to teammates, receives the ball off of snap, and initiates the action usually by running the ball himself, passing the ball to a receiver, or handing the ball off to another back.
- Fullback
- Multiple roles including pass protection, receiving, and blocking for the running back. On short yardage situations may also carry the ball.
- Running back/Tailback
- As the name implies, the main runner on the team. Also an eligible receiver and blocker on pass plays.
- Wide receiver
- Lines up on the line of scrimmage, usually at a distance from the centre. Runs down the field in order to catch a forward pass from the quarterback.
- Slotback
- Similar to the wide receiver, but lines up closer to the offensive line. May be as many as five yards behind the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped and may also make a running start toward the line of scrimmage prior to the snap.
Down Linemen:
- Centre
- Snaps the ball to the quarterback. Most important pass blocker on pass plays. Calls offensive-line plays.
- Left/right guard
- Stands to the left and right of the centre helps protect the quarterback, Usually very good run blockers to open holes up the middle for runners.
- Left/right tackle
- Stands on the ends of the offensive line, The biggest men on the line, usually well over 300 pounds (140 kg). The avoirdupois (ˌævərdəˈpɔɪz French avwaʀdypwɑ system is a system of weights (or properly Mass) based on a pound of sixteen Ounces Usually very good pass blockers.
- Offensive lineman
- Collective name for centre, guards, and tackles.
Defence
The rules do not constrain how the defence may arrange itself (other than the requirement that they must remain one yard behind the line of scrimmage until the play starts).
- Cornerback
- Covers the wide receivers on most plays.
- Safety
- Covers deep. Last line of defence, can offer run support or blitz.
- Defensive halfback
- Covers the slotback and helps contain the run from going to the outside.
- Defensive back
- Collective term for cornerback, safety, and defensive halfback.
- Nose tackle
- Lineman across from centre, tries to get past the offensive-line or take double team and open holes for blitzes.
- Defensive tackle
- Inside defensive linemen try to break through the offensive line and open holes for linebackers.
- Defensive end
- Main rushing lineman. Rushes the quarterback and contain
- Middle linebacker
- Lines up across from the centre 3 to 4 yards back. Quarterback of the defence. Calls plays for lineman and linebackers.
- Weak-side linebacker
- Lines up on the short side of field, and can drop into pass coverage or contain.
- Strong-side linebacker
- Lines up on the opposite side and usually rushes.
Special teams
Special teams generally refers to kicking plays, which typically involve a change in possession.
- Holder
- Receives the snap on field goal tries and converts; places the ball in position and holds it to be kicked by the kicker. This position is generally filled by a reserve quarterback; occasionally the starting quarterback or punter will fill in as holder.
- Kicker
- Kicks field goals, converts, kick-offs
- Punter
- Punts ball, usually on third downs
- Returners
- Fast, agile runners who specialize in fielding punts and kickoffs, attempting to advance them for better field position or a score.
See also
- Comparison of Canadian and American football
- Glossary of Canadian football
- List of football teams in Canada
Notes and references
- ^ Canadian Football Timelines (1860 – present). Canadian and American football are very similar as both have their origins in rugby. This is a glossary of terms used in Canadian football.; Cornerback: A defensive position on scrimmages This is a list of Gridiron football teams in Canada. Professional Teams Canadian Football League Active Teams Defunct Football Canada. Football Canada is the governing body for amateur Canadian football. Retrieved on 2006-12-23. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city
- ^ William Houston (2006-12-20). Grey Cup moves to TSN in new deal. The Globe And Mail. Retrieved on 2006-12-23. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city
- ^ gridiron football - Britannica Online Encyclopedia
External links
- 2007 CFL Rule Book
- History of Canadian Football at Football Canada
- Canadian Football Resources
- Quebec Junior Football League
- PEI Tackle Football League
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