11 Personnel
One running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers.
Glossary category
College Football Offense Glossary
Use these terms to understand how offenses move the ball, create explosives, protect the quarterback, and finish drives.
Back to all glossary termsTop Offense Terms
11 PersonnelOne running back, one tight end, and three wide receivers.12 PersonnelOne running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.21 PersonnelTwo running backs, one tight end, and two wide receivers.Air RaidA pass-heavy offensive system built around spacing, tempo, and quick decisions.AudibleA change to the play call made at the line of scrimmage before the snap.Blitz PickupThe offense's recognition and blocking of extra pass rushers.BootlegA play where the quarterback moves laterally away from the initial action, often after a fake handoff.Bubble ScreenA quick pass to a receiver moving away from the formation, usually near the sideline.
All Offense Definitions
63 terms
12 Personnel
One running back, two tight ends, and two wide receivers.
21 Personnel
Two running backs, one tight end, and two wide receivers.
Air Raid
A pass-heavy offensive system built around spacing, tempo, and quick decisions.
Audible
A change to the play call made at the line of scrimmage before the snap.
Blitz Pickup
The offense's recognition and blocking of extra pass rushers.
Bootleg
A play where the quarterback moves laterally away from the initial action, often after a fake handoff.
Bubble Screen
A quick pass to a receiver moving away from the formation, usually near the sideline.
Bunch Formation
A formation where multiple receivers align close together to create traffic and releases.
Checkdown
A short pass to a nearby receiver, often used when deeper options are covered.
Corner Route
A route breaking toward the sideline and back corner of the end zone or field.
Counter
A run play designed to mislead the defense with initial movement opposite the intended run direction.
Designed Run
A play intentionally called as a run rather than a pass or scramble.
Dropback
A passing play where the quarterback drops back from the line of scrimmage before throwing or scrambling.
Empty Set
A formation with no running back in the backfield.
Explosive Play
A high-yardage play that creates a major field-position swing.
Explosive Play Rate
The percentage of plays that become explosive plays.
Finishing Drives
How well a team turns scoring opportunities into points.
Fourth-Down Conversion Rate
The percentage of fourth downs converted into a first down or touchdown.
Go Route
A vertical route where the receiver runs straight downfield.
Hail Mary
A desperate deep pass, usually at the end of a half or game.
Havoc Allowed
The percentage of offensive plays disrupted by the defense.
Hot Route
A quick route used to give the quarterback an immediate passing option against pressure.
Hurry-Up
A fast-paced offensive approach designed to snap the ball quickly.
I-Formation
A formation with backs aligned in a vertical line behind the quarterback.
Inside Zone
A zone-blocking run concept aimed between the tackles.
Jet Sweep
A run where a receiver crosses the formation at speed and takes a handoff or pitch.
Mesh
A passing concept using crossing routes to create traffic and separation.
No-Huddle
An offensive approach that skips the huddle to speed up play or limit defensive substitutions.
Outside Zone
A zone-blocking run concept designed to stretch the defense horizontally.
Pass Protection
Blocking designed to protect the quarterback on passing plays.
Personnel Grouping
A shorthand for the number of running backs and tight ends on the field.
Pistol
A formation where the quarterback lines up behind the center with a running back directly behind him.
Play Action
A pass play that begins with a fake handoff to influence defenders.
The protected area around the quarterback formed by the offensive line during a pass play.
Points Per Drive
Points scored divided by offensive drives.
Points Per Opportunity
Points scored per scoring opportunity.
Post Route
A deep route angled toward the goal-post area.
Power
A gap-blocked run concept that often uses a pulling guard.
Pro-Style Offense
An offense using concepts commonly associated with professional football, often including tight ends, under-center looks, and multiple personnel packages.
Quarterback Draw
A designed quarterback run that initially looks like a pass play.
Read Option
A run play where the quarterback reads a defender and decides whether to hand off or keep the ball.
Red-Zone Scoring Percentage
The percentage of red-zone trips that result in points.
Red-Zone TD Percentage
The percentage of red-zone trips that end in touchdowns.
Reverse
A trick-style run where the ball changes direction, usually from one runner to another moving opposite.
Run-Pass Option
A play where the quarterback can choose between a run and a pass based on the defense.
Rushing Success Rate
The percentage of rushing plays that meet a success threshold.
Sack Rate
The percentage of passing dropbacks that result in sacks.
Scramble
A quarterback run that happens after a passing play breaks down.
Screen Pass
A short pass designed to let blockers get in front of the receiver.
Shotgun
An offensive formation where the quarterback aligns several yards behind the center.
Slant Route
A quick diagonal receiving route toward the middle of the field.
Spread Offense
An offensive style that spreads defenders horizontally with multiple receivers and spacing.
Tempo
The pace at which an offense runs plays.
Third-Down Conversion Rate
The percentage of third downs converted into first downs or touchdowns.
Trap
A run concept where a blocker intentionally lets a defender upfield before trapping him with another blocker.
Triple Option
An option play with three possible ball-carrier choices, often a dive, quarterback keep, or pitch.
Trips
A formation with three receivers aligned to one side.
Tunnel Screen
A screen where the receiver comes back inside toward blockers after the catch.
Wheel Route
A route where a back or receiver turns upfield along the sideline.
Wildcat
A formation where a non-quarterback, usually a running back, takes the snap.
Yards Per Play
Total offensive yards divided by offensive plays.
Zone Read
A read-option concept where the quarterback reads an unblocked defender on a zone run.