Football glossary.
30 terms a coach should be able to define cold. Quick reference for the formations, personnel, coverages, and protections that show up in every modern playbook.
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- 11 Personnel
11 personnel is the modern game's default grouping — one back, one tight end, three wide receivers. Why every level runs it.
- 12 Personnel
12 personnel pairs two tight ends with one back and two receivers. The heavy package that forces a base defense.
- 21 Personnel
21 personnel is the I-form heritage grouping — two backs, one tight end, two receivers. Where it still wins.
A
B
- BOB Protection
BOB stands for Big-On-Big — offensive linemen on defensive linemen, back on the linebacker. The default pass protection scheme.
- Box Count
Box count is the number of defenders within five yards of the line of scrimmage. The pre-snap math behind every run/pass decision.
- Bunch Formation
Bunch puts three receivers in a 2-3 yard cluster. The natural-rub formation that breaks man coverage.
C
D
E
H
L
M
- Mike Linebacker
The Mike is the middle linebacker — the defense's signal-caller and the player offenses identify on every snap.
- MOFC — Middle Of Field Closed
MOFC means a single safety in the deep middle. The pre-snap key that tells QBs which routes are live.
- MOFO — Middle Of Field Open
MOFO means two safeties splitting the deep field. The pre-snap key that opens up post and seam routes.
N
O
P
R
S
- Shotgun Formation
Shotgun puts the QB 5-7 yards behind center for time, vision, and easier reads. The default modern QB alignment.
- Single-High Safety
Single-high coverage puts one safety in the deep middle. The shell behind cover-1, cover-3, and most blitz looks.
- Slide Protection
Slide protection moves the entire offensive line one direction at the snap. The zone-style answer to twists and stunts.
- Swing Route
A swing route has the back release out of the backfield toward the flat. The simplest checkdown and built-in screen alternative.