Definition

Noun: 1. The line in American football where the teams face each other at the start of a play: It is an imaginary line parallel to the goal lines, extending from sideline to sideline, that marks the position of the football at the beginning of a down. The offensive and defensive players line up on opposite sides of this line.

Usage

The term is used specifically in the context of American (or Canadian) football to describe the starting position for a play. - The ball is placed on the scrimmage line to start each down. - Players must not cross the scrimmage line before the ball is snapped, or they will be penalized for being offside. - The quarterback stands behind the scrimmage line to receive the snap.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Line of scrimmage": This is the most common and synonymous term for "scrimmage line." The two phrases are used interchangeably.
  • The defensive end burst across the line of scrimmage to sack the quarterback.
• The concept is central to the game's rules, governing where players can legally be positioned and when they can move forward at the start of a play.

Variants and Related Words

• Line of scrimmage (n): The full, more formal term for the scrimmage line.
• Scrimmage (n): Can refer to a practice game or, more broadly, to the action of contending for the ball at the line. The "scrimmage line" is derived from this term.
• Neutral zone (n): The narrow space between the offensive and defensive lines that extends the length of the football at the scrimmage line. No player except the center (who snaps the ball) may have any part of their body in this zone before the snap.

Synonyms

• Line of scrimmage

Related Phrases

• At the line of scrimmage: Describes an action or event occurring precisely at this starting point.
  • The running back was stopped for no gain at the line of scrimmage.
• Behind the line of scrimmage: Refers to the area on the offensive team's side, where the quarterback typically operates.
  • The pass was thrown from behind the line of scrimmage.
• Past the line of scrimmage: Refers to the area on the defensive team's side, beyond the starting point.
  • The receiver caught the ball five yards past the line of scrimmage.

Noun

1. line parallel to the goal lines where football linesmen line up at the start of each play in American football
   • the runner was tackled at the line of scrimmage