Football Terms to Know for Online Betting: NFL

What Are Terms Used in Football?

Football terms are the words and phrases used to describe plays, actions, and game results. They help fans and bettors understand what’s happening on the field. For online betting, these terms also explain how bets are made and settled.

Some basic football terms include:

• Touchdown: Worth 6 points, scored when the ball crosses the opponent’s goal line.
  
  
• Field Goal: Worth 3 points, kicked through the goalposts.
  
  
• Extra Point: 1 or 2 points after a touchdown.
  
  

Knowing the football vocabulary terms makes it easier to follow both the game and betting options like point spread betting or live betting.

10 Football Terms Every Bettor Should Know

Here are 10 football terms you should know before placing a bet:

1. Sack: When a quarterback is tackled behind the line of scrimmage. This can stop a drive and affect totals bets.
   
   
2. Pick 6: A defensive interception returned for a touchdown. This swings momentum fast.
   
   
3. Punt: Kicking the ball away on fourth down to shift field position.
   
   
4. Reception: When a pass is caught by a player. Receptions impact player prop bets.
   
   
5. Attempt: Refers to a pass, rush, or kick try. Many bets track player attempts.
   
   
6. Blitz: A defensive rush by extra players to sack the quarterback.
   
   
7. OTA: Offseason Training Activities. While not in-season, these shape team readiness.
   
   
8. Quarter: NFL games have four quarters. Wondering “how many football quarters?” The answer is four 15-minute periods.
   
   
9. Tie: Though rare, a game can end in a tie if no team wins in overtime.
   
   
10. Fumble: When a player drops the ball. Often causes big momentum shifts.
    
    

These 10 football terms are common in both game commentary and betting stats. For more, see our football terms dictionary.

Football Gambling Terms Explained

When betting, you’ll also hear unique football gambling terms. These explain how bets are placed and settled.

• Point Spread: A handicap to level the game. If the Chiefs are -7, they must win by 8+ for a bet to cash. Learn more about point spread betting.
  
  
• Over/Under: A total points bet. Will both teams score more or less than a set number? Check our full over under glossary.
  
  
• Futures: Bets on season outcomes, like who wins the Super Bowl. Explore futures options on Shurzy.
  
  
• Live Betting: Wagering during the game. Odds shift fast as plays happen. Live betting is great for sharp fans.
  
  

Example: You bet on a futures line before the season—say the Bills to win the AFC. That’s a futures bet. But betting them to cover -3 this Sunday? That’s point spread betting.

Football Moves Terms You’ll Hear on Sundays

Some football moves terms describe what players do on the field. These impact prop bets and game flow.

• Spin Move: A running back spins to avoid tackles.
  
  
• Juke: A sudden move to fake out a defender.
  
  
• Swim Move: Used by defensive linemen to get past blockers.
  
  
• Scramble: A quarterback runs instead of throwing.
  
  

These moves affect stats like rushing yards, sacks, or touchdowns. If you bet on a QB’s rushing attempts, a scramble counts.

Football Terms for Dummies: Quick Picks

New to football or betting? Here’s a cheat sheet of football terms for dummies:

• Downs: Teams get 4 downs (tries) to move 10 yards.
  
  
• Snap: When the ball is hiked to the quarterback.
  
  
• Huddle: Players meet to call the next play.
  
  
• Red Zone: The area between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
  
  
• 2-Minute Warning: A game pause with 2 minutes left in halves.
  
  

Quick tip: NFL games rarely end in ties, but yes—can football tie? They can, especially in regular season if overtime ends scoreless.

Football Term Pick 6 and Game Changers

Let’s revisit one of the flashiest terms: Pick 6. This happens when a defender intercepts a pass and scores a touchdown. It can crush bets on totals or spreads.

Example: You bet the under on 44.5 total points. The defense scores a pick 6 late in the fourth quarter. Now you're over the line. Turnovers like these add risk to totals bets.

Why Football Terms Like Sack and Blitz Matter

Two popular football terms—sack and blitz—aren’t just for the field. They shape betting outcomes too.

• A blitz increases sack chances, which might lower the opposing QB’s yardage.
  
  
• A sack kills drives, helping under bets cash.
  
  

Example: A prop bet on a quarterback to throw for over 275 yards could fail if he’s sacked five times. Knowing team blitz habits can help you assess risk.

Football Terms Dictionary Recap

Let’s recap why learning these football terms is key:

• They help you follow games better.
  
  
• They clarify bet types and results.
  
  
• They reveal key moments like a pick 6, blitz, or sack.
  
  
• They guide smart betting decisions in markets like over/under, live betting, and futures.
  
  

By understanding these terms, you can turn watching into winning.

Check out our full betting toolset to start spotting profitable lines.