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Glite Dictionary
backfield

backfield

21 4.9
The offensive players and the area behind the line where they run or throw the ball in football
  • noun
  • /ˈbækˌfiːld/
  • Jargon
: zona tras la línea de golpeo
  • He's a good runner and he's outstanding out of the backfield, so he presents a lot of matchup challenges.
  • backfield players
  • backfield positions

Examples

  • They put him in the backfield and that was kind of unheard of at that time.

    '85: The Greatest Team in Football History (2016)

  • Now Turner goes in motion out of the backfield.

    The Blind Side (2009)

  • Jones alone in the backfield.

    Two for the Money (2005)

  • But we need better pass receiving, and more speed in the backfield to win.

    The Longest Yard (1974)

  • Stanford got in the backfield often, and it worked out pretty well for them.

    Blog text (16)

  • But Wisconsin runs most of their passing plays out of an empty backfield.

    Draft Day (2014)

  • The dangerous two H-back set in the backfield that gave Texas so much trouble in the rushing game.

    Blog text (5)

  • Also still in the backfield is Kendell Hunter, who was drafted in 2011.

    Blog text (14)

  • The Army featured Felix "Doc" Blanchard and Glenn Davis (1943-44), "Mr. Inside" and "Mr. Outside," in its backfield.

    Academic text (2014)

  • The quarterback handed the ball off to the running back who was waiting in the backfield.

Surface Forms

backfield singular
backfields plural

Etymology

Backfield is simply back + field, meaning the part of the football field 'behind' the line and the group of offensive players who play there. So, think of it as the 'back' part of the 'field', where the quarterback and running backs work.