Wo ist die Line of Scrimmage?

Die Line of Scrimmage ist eine gedachte Linie, auf der vor jedem Down der Ball liegt und von Seitenlinie zu Seitenlinie gezogen wird (im US-TV meistens blau dargestellt). Sie darf vor Beginn des Spielzuges nicht überschritten werden.

Offense und Defense stellen sich vor dem Spielzug entsprechend an dieser Linie auf. Genau genommen ergeben sich dadurch 2 Line of Scrimmage, denn sowohl bei Downs als auch bei Non-Scrimmage-Kicks (z.B. Kickoff) gibt es noch die Neutral Zone, die nur der Center mit der ballführenden Hand "verletzen" darf.

Für Vorwärtspässe und Kicks (Kickoffs und Punts) hat die Line of Scrimmage eine wichtige Bedeutung. Sowohl Vorwärtspässe also auch Kicks sind nur legal, wenn sie von der Offense ausgeführt werden und der Spieler/Kicker sich beim Wurf/Kick hinter der Line of Scrimmage befindet.

Wird der passgebene Spieler (meist also der Quarterback) hinter der Line of Scrimmage zu Fall gebracht (getackelt), nenn man dies einen Sack. Ein getackelter Ballträger oder -fänger muss bei gleicher Situation einen Tackle for Loss (TFL) einstecken.

In football, the term “line of scrimmage” is one of the most frequently used phrases, both from commentators and referees. For those who are new to the sport, many may wonder what the line of scrimmage is and what function it performs during the game. Below, we will explore the purpose and uses of the line of scrimmage, including where it is located, how it moves along the field, and how different players must be aware of it during a game.

The line of scrimmage in football is the yard line that shows the spot of the ball on the field. Wherever the ball goes, the line of scrimmage follows. The line of scrimmage changes if the offensive team gains any yardage during a down and will also change if a team is tackled behind the previous line of scrimmage, in which case it will move backward. The line of scrimmage can also move forward or backward if a team gains or loses yards from penalties.

In summary, the line of scrimmage moves with the ball, being located at whatever yard line the ball has moved to after the completion of a play. Also known as the scrimmage line, the line of scrimmage is used to align players at the start of a down. In television broadcasts of most college and NFL games, the line of scrimmage is displayed as a blue line running across the field. However, on the field itself, there is no such marker, and the line of scrimmage is instead determined by the chain crew, who carries a pair of poles linked by a 10-yard chain that is used to determine the distance to a first down.

Snap

Both teams must remain on their side of the line of scrimmage prior to the ball being snapped. A penalty called a false start will be called if an offensive player crosses the line prior to the snap of the ball. Offside is a penalty against a defensive player that is across the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped.

Downs

Each time players line up on the line of scrimmage, it signals the start of a new down. The goal for each team is to move the ball 10 yards down the field. Wherever the ball is declared dead, that is the new line of scrimmage. The goal is for the team to move the line of scrimmage down the field, move the ball down the field, to score a touchdown.

Blue Line

You can see the line of scrimmage as a blue line on TV. It may be other colors as well, depending on the broadcaster. You'll notice that the blue line may appear in a different location at the start of every down. That's because the ball is moving on the field.

The scrimmage line will always show the spot of the ball on the field. It is used to help fans at home visualize how far the offensive team has to go to make the down.

Chain Crew

The chain crew is responsible for marking the line of scrimmage after every down. They carry a 10-yard chain to measure the exact location of the first down marker on the field. They are used to help the players see where their 10-yard goal is and exactly how much longer they have to go.

FAQ

Where does the name “line of scrimmage” come from?

While the term “line of scrimmage'' is most commonly used in football these days, the origins of the name come from a similar and older sport, which is rugby. In rugby, play often begins with a “scrum,” in which players pack themselves together in a large group with their heads down in order to fight over the ball. Another term for a scrum is “scrummage,” and because the start of a football play visually resembles a rugby scrum, the term “scrummage” developed into the line of scrimmage, which refers to the line where a play begins in football.

In football, there must always be seven offensive players assembled on the line of scrimmage prior to the start of a play. This rule is different from the defensive line, which has no particular requirement for the number of players that must be on the line of scrimmage. In most offensive formations, the five players in the middle of the lineup are linemen, while the players on the outsides of the line are usually wide receivers. Defensive formations can involve anywhere from three to five linemen assembling on the line of scrimmage, and sometimes even more than five.

Yards from scrimmage in football is a statistic that measures total offensive production, combining running and receiving yards. Yards from scrimmage can be measured for a single game or quarter, or it can reflect multiple games or a complete season. Likewise, yards from scrimmage can be used to reflect a single player’s offensive production or the total offensive yards of an entire team. When applied to a single player, yards from scrimmage is different from the “total offense” statistic in that it gives credit for passing yards to the receiver rather than the passer.

What is considered the line of scrimmage?

What is the first down line called?

Who should be on the line of scrimmage?

What's the line where the ball is snapped called?