Definition

Noun: - In American or Canadian football, the offensive player who is currently in possession of the football and is attempting to advance it down the field during a play.

Usage

The term "ball carrier" is used specifically to identify the player with the ball during a live play. It is a functional description of a player's role at a given moment, not a fixed position. The ball carrier is the primary target of the defensive team.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The linebacker tackled the ball carrier for a loss of yards.
  • As the ball carrier broke through the line, he sprinted toward the end zone.
  • The quarterback handed the ball off to the running back, who became the ball carrier.

Advanced Usage

• "Tackling the ball carrier": This is the primary objective of the defense to stop the play's progress.
• "Protecting the ball carrier": Refers to the offensive line's job of blocking defenders to create running lanes.
• A player is only the "ball carrier" while they have possession. Once the ball is passed, fumbled, or the play is whistled dead, they are no longer the ball carrier.

Variants and Related Words

• Carrier: While "carrier" alone can mean many things, in a football context it is sometimes used as a shortened, informal form of "ball carrier."
• Ballcarrier: A common alternative spelling, written as one word.
• Running back (RB), Quarterback (QB), Wide Receiver (WR): These are fixed player positions. Any of these players can become the ball carrier if they have possession during a rushing or passing play.

Synonyms

• Ballhandler: Less common, but can be used in a similar context.
• Ball-possessor: A descriptive phrase, though not a standard football term.
• Runner: Often used interchangeably when the ball carrier is advancing via a running play, but "runner" does not apply if the ball carrier is a quarterback before a pass.

Related Phrases

• "Wrap up the ball carrier": A coaching phrase emphasizing the need for defenders to make secure tackles.
• "The ball carrier is down": An official declaration that the play is over, usually when the carrier's knee or other body part (except hand or foot) touches the ground.

Noun

1. (football) the player who is carrying (and trying to advance) the ball on an offensive play