playing field
Rectangular surface (53.3 x 120 yards) covered with natural or synthetic grass on which a football game is played; a game consists of four 15-minute quarters.
yard line
The solid lines at five-yard intervals that mark the distance from the goal line; at the start of a game, the ball is kicked off from the thirty-yard line.
inbounds line
The broken lines marking off yards; the lines and inbounds lines mark the line of scrimmage when play resumes.
end line
Line marking the far extremity of the end zone; the white area behind the goal is not part of the playing field.
end zone
Zone in which a touchdown (six points) is scored when a player crosses it in possession of the ball.
fifty-yard line
Line dividing the field into two zones, one for each team; it is 50 yards from the goal lines.
sideline
Line demarcating the sides of the playing field; the play is whistled dead when the ball or a player in possession of the ball crosses it.
referee
Official responsible for applying the rules; this individual ensures that the game is properly played and supervises the work of the other officials.
side judge
Official whose main role is to signal when a player crosses the sideline in possession of the ball.
umpire
Official in charge of checking player equipment and signaling infractions near the line of scrimmage.
head linesman
Official who signals stoppages in play and indicates exactly where to position the ball after it leaves the field of play.
back judge
Official who tracks the number of players on defense, follows the receivers and monitors the time elapsed between plays.
line judge
Official whose role includes timekeeping, signaling stoppages in play and officiating during kickoffs and punts.
players’ bench
Area for substitute players and coaches; a team’s players are divided into three units: offense, defense and special teams.
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