Booth Review
A replay review initiated by the replay official rather than by a coach.
Glossary category
College Football Game Basics Glossary
Start here for the everyday college football language used in broadcasts, box scores, schedules, and game recaps.
Back to all glossary termsTop Game Basics Terms
Booth ReviewA replay review initiated by the replay official rather than by a coach.BoundaryThe short side of the field when the ball is spotted closer to one sideline.Coach's ChallengeA request by a coach asking officials to review a play, subject to challenge rules and timeout availability.Dead BallA ball that is no longer live because the play has ended or officials have stopped action.DistanceThe number of yards needed for a first down.DownOne of the offense's attempts to advance the ball.DriveA sequence of offensive plays by one team.End ZoneThe scoring area at each end of the field.
All Game Basics Definitions
36 terms
Boundary
The short side of the field when the ball is spotted closer to one sideline.
Coach's Challenge
A request by a coach asking officials to review a play, subject to challenge rules and timeout availability.
Dead Ball
A ball that is no longer live because the play has ended or officials have stopped action.
Distance
The number of yards needed for a first down.
Down
One of the offense's attempts to advance the ball.
Drive
A sequence of offensive plays by one team.
End Zone
The scoring area at each end of the field.
Field Side
The wide side of the field when the ball is spotted closer to one sideline.
First Down
A new set of downs earned by the offense.
Forward Progress
The farthest point a ball carrier reaches before being stopped or driven backward by the defense.
Game Clock
The clock that tracks time remaining in a quarter, half, or overtime period.
Goal Line
The line at the front of the end zone.
Hash Marks
Field markings used to spot the ball between plays and define where the next snap occurs.
Instant Replay
A review system used to check certain officiating decisions with video.
Line of Scrimmage
The imaginary line where the ball is placed before a play.
Line to Gain
The yard line the offense must reach to earn a first down.
Live Ball
A ball that is legally in play and can be advanced, possessed, or turned over.
Media Timeout
A stoppage used for television or broadcast breaks.
Neutral Zone
The space between the offensive and defensive lines before the snap.
Overtime
Extra periods used to decide a game tied after regulation.
Play Clock
The countdown that limits how long the offense has to snap the ball before a delay-of-game penalty.
Possession
A team's turn controlling the ball.
Red Zone
The area from the opponent's 20-yard line to the goal line.
Safety (Scoring Play)
A two-point score for the defense, usually when the offense is tackled or commits certain fouls in its own end zone.
Series
A set of downs given to the offense to gain the required yardage.
Snap
The act of putting the ball in play from the line of scrimmage, usually by the center to the quarterback.
Three-and-Out
A possession where the offense fails to earn a first down and usually punts after three plays.
Timeout
A stoppage requested by a team to stop the game clock, discuss strategy, make substitutions, or avoid a penalty.
Touchback
A dead-ball result that places the ball at a designated yard line.
Touchdown
A six-point score earned when a player carries, catches, or legally possesses the ball in the opponent's end zone.
Try
The untimed scoring attempt after a touchdown, usually a PAT kick or two-point conversion attempt.
Turnover on Downs
A change of possession that happens when the offense fails to earn a first down after using its available downs.
Two-Minute Timeout
An automatic late-half stoppage near the two-minute mark used to manage end-of-half timing and broadcast/game administration.
Two-Point Conversion
A post-touchdown try where the offense attempts to score from short range for two points instead of kicking for one.
Walk-Off
A game-ending score or play that immediately decides the result.