Football Statistics Glossary

The number of times a player carries the ball on a rushing play. Includes all runs, whether for positive or negative yards.

Yards per carry, calculated by dividing total rushing yards by rushing attempts. A key efficiency metric for running backs.

A tackle where two or more players share credit for stopping the ball carrier. Each player receives 0.5 tackles or 1 assist.

A kick (field goal, extra point, or punt) that is blocked by a defensive player before crossing the line of scrimmage.

Forward passes caught and secured by an eligible receiver. The receiver must maintain possession through ground contact.

The percentage of pass attempts that result in completions. Calculated as completions divided by attempts, times 100.

Percentage of targets that result in receptions. Calculated as receptions divided by targets, times 100.

A kick attempt following a touchdown, worth 1 point. Kicked from the 3-yard line in high school (15-yard kick).

Causing the ball carrier to lose possession through contact. The defender must directly cause the fumble.

Gaining possession of a loose ball after a fumble. Can be credited to offense (own fumble) or defense (opponent fumble).

A signal by the return man waiving the right to advance the ball in exchange for protection from contact.

A kick through the opponent's goal posts, worth 3 points. Can be attempted from anywhere on the field.

Gaining the required yardage (typically 10 yards) to earn a new set of downs. Resets the down count to 1st and 10.

Credit given to each of two defenders who share responsibility for a sack. Each receives 0.5 sacks.

A forward pass caught by a defensive player. Credited as a turnover to the offense and a takeaway to the defense.

A punt that results in the receiving team starting their drive inside their own 20-yard line.

Returning a kickoff. Yards measured from where the ball is caught to where the returner is tackled.

The longest single rushing attempt in a game or season. An indicator of big-play ability.

Average punt distance minus return yards allowed. A better measure of punting effectiveness than gross average.

All forward pass attempts, including completions, incompletions, and interceptions. Does not include sacks.

Total yards gained through completed passes. Includes yards after catch (YAC). Credited to both QB and receiver.

A composite statistic measuring quarterback performance, incorporating completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.

A defensive play that directly causes an incompletion by deflecting or batting down the pass.

Any pass that a defender breaks up or intercepts. Combines interceptions and pass breakups.

A kick made by dropping the ball and kicking it before it touches the ground, typically on 4th down to gain field position.

Returning a punt. Yards measured from catch point to tackle point. Fair catches result in zero return yards.

Pressuring the quarterback into an early or inaccurate throw without recording a sack. An advanced defensive stat.

The number of passes caught by a receiver. Same as completions but credited to the receiving player.

The area between the opponent's 20-yard line and goal line. Red zone efficiency measures scoring success in this area.

A tackle credited to a single player who was primarily responsible for bringing down the ball carrier without significant assistance.

Tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage on a passing play. The QB must have been attempting to pass.

A score worth 6 points, achieved when the ball breaks the plane of the goal line while in possession of an offensive player.

The ratio of touchdown passes to interceptions. A key indicator of quarterback decision-making and efficiency.

The number of passes thrown to a specific receiver, whether caught or not. An advanced stat measuring involvement in the passing game.

Combined solo and assisted tackles. Some systems count assists as 0.5, others as 1.0. Always clarify methodology.

A tackle made behind the line of scrimmage on a running play. Does not include sacks, which are tracked separately.

When a kickoff or punt goes into or through the end zone, resulting in the receiving team starting at their 25-yard line (kickoff) or 20-yard line (punt).

A play following a touchdown where the offense attempts to score from the 3-yard line, worth 2 points instead of kicking extra point.

Successfully gaining a first down on third down. Conversion rate is a key offensive efficiency metric.

Total time a team has the ball during the game. Measured from snap to change of possession.

Loss of possession to the opponent through a fumble or interception. Does not include turnovers on downs.

The difference between takeaways (turnovers gained) and giveaways (turnovers lost). Positive margin correlates with wins.

Combined rushing and passing yards. The primary measure of offensive production in a game.

Total yards gained or lost on rushing plays. Calculated as the ending yard line minus the starting yard line (line of scrimmage).

Average yards gained per pass attempt. Calculated as passing yards divided by pass attempts. Key QB efficiency metric.

Yards gained by a receiver after securing the catch. Measures a receiver's ability to create yards with the ball.

Total yards divided by total offensive plays. A key efficiency metric for comparing offenses.