# Explain American Football to someone who is basically ignorant of it **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 4, 2017, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302 "2017-01-04T11:34:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/81 "2017-01-12T17:46:53Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > The term has morphed to “hook and ladder” as a result of people misusing that substitution. I was aware it came from “lateral,” but I always assumed it was a purposeful, playful substitution. Sounds much cooler as “hook and ladder” than “hook and lateral,” to me at least. ETA: [Though it appears there are many competing etymologies of the phrase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_and_lateral). ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/82 "2017-01-12T19:19:46Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I was aware it came from “lateral,” but I always assumed it was a purposeful, playful substitution. Sounds much cooler as “hook and ladder” than “hook and lateral,” to me at least. > > ETA: [Though it appears there are many competing etymologies of the phrase](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hook_and_lateral). No. There are many people who speculate on the origin, without offering any proof of why it should be “hook and ladder.” On the other hand, we have definitive etymologies for the terms “hook” route and “lateral” in football. You do the math. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/83 "2017-01-13T06:39:12Z")
It’s “hook & ladder” despite a lateral being involved. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/84 "2017-01-13T13:41:51Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > It’s “hook & ladder” despite a lateral being involved. It is NOT “hook and ladder”, except as used by people who haven’t got a clue what they are saying and say that because it’s a more familiar term (from fire trucks). :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/85 "2017-01-13T14:27:37Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > It is NOT “hook and ladder”, except as used by people who haven’t got a clue what they are saying and say that because it’s a more familiar term (from fire trucks). :rolleyes: There’s the Statue of Liberty, the Flea Flicker, the Swinging Gate, the Hail Mary, the Fumblerooski, . I have no problem with the original Hook and Lateral morphing into the more catchy (ha!) Hook and Ladder, which is now what the play is commonly called. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/86 "2017-01-13T14:28:30Z")
Football professionals call it “hook and lateral”. > **[Greatest play in Miami Dolphins history? It's a no-brainer](https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2009-09-24-sfl-dave-hyde-top-20-plays-dolphins-story.html)** Random folks outside of professional football call it “hook and ladder”. [https://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/hook-and-ladder.aspx](https://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/hook-and-ladder.aspx) I trust the former. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/87 "2017-01-13T15:17:45Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The NFL has a “two minute warning,” which stops the clock with two minutes left in each half. The two minute warning used to be because the official time was kept by one of the referees on the field. The stadium clock was not official, so the coaches were given the two minute warning by the officials. In the late 60s IIRC, they made the stadium clock the official time. They could (and should) have abolished the two minute warning, but they kept it for the sole purpose of allowing the TV coverage to sell more commercial time. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/88 "2017-01-13T17:01:38Z")
Whatever you choose to call it, the Hook & Ladder should definitely be used more often. It’s still something that relies on surprise. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/89 "2017-01-13T18:05:47Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The two minute warning used to be because the official time was kept by one of the referees on the field. The stadium clock was not official, so the coaches were given the two minute warning by the officials. > > In the late 60s IIRC, they made the stadium clock the official time. They could (and should) have abolished the two minute warning, but they kept it for the sole purpose of allowing the TV coverage to sell more commercial time. It’s just one of those things that factors into clock management strategy. I think it’s okay to keep it even if it serves no objective purpose. It’s also a signal for a team to go into its two minute drills. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/90 "2017-01-13T18:44:59Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Whatever you choose to call it, the Hook & Ladder should definitely be used more often. > > It’s still something that relies on surprise. If you use it more often, it won’t be a surprise. And it has to be a surprise, because if it isn’t then the lateral is highly vulnerable to being blown up and turned into a fumble by enterprising cornerbacks and safeties. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/91 "2017-01-13T21:28:57Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > The two minute warning used to be because the official time was kept by one of the referees on the field. The stadium clock was not official, so the coaches were given the two minute warning by the officials. > > In the late 60s IIRC, they made the stadium clock the official time. They could (and should) have abolished the two minute warning, but they kept it for the sole purpose of allowing the TV coverage to sell more commercial time. There is an actual rule change that goes into effect at the point two minutes are left in the game in the pros. At that point, an injury on the field will require a team to use an available time out to treat the injured player. Thus, the warning (and, so far as I know, that’s the reason the warning has always been given at that point; do you have a citation for your assertion it had to do with official timekeeping?). ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/92 "2017-01-13T21:31:16Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Whatever you choose to call it, the Hook & Ladder should definitely be used more often. > > It’s still something that relies on surprise. The hook and lateral requires some specific conditions to be of much value as a play. There has to be isolated man-to-man coverage on one side of the field. Then, the player to whom the lateral will be made has to be able to be sprinting down the field during the pass unimpeded. It’s not a situation that can always be achieved. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/93 "2017-01-13T21:49:10Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > There is an actual rule change that goes into effect at the point two minutes are left in the game in the pros. At that point, an injury on the field will require a team to use an available time out to treat the injured player. Thus, the warning (and, so far as I know, that’s the reason the warning has always been given at that point; do you have a citation for your assertion it had to do with official timekeeping?). There are other rules that change in the last two minutes of a half (such as only the original ball holder can advance a fumble, 10-second run off for excessive injuries and some penalties, no coaches challenges). > **[Two-minute warning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning#Rules)** > > In most levels of professional American football and starting 2024, the NCAA and high school football in Texas, the two-minute warning is a suspension of play that occurs when two minutes remain on the game clock in each half of a game, i.e., near the end of the second and fourth quarters, and overtime. Its effect on play is similar to that of a timeout: the game clock stops and the teams gather to discuss strategy. The suspension of play is two minutes long, the same as the short two-minute i ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/94 "2017-01-14T06:09:10Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > There are other rules that change in the last two minutes of a half (such as only the original ball holder can advance a fumble, 10-second run off for excessive injuries and some penalties, no coaches challenges). > > [Two-minute warning - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-minute_warning#Rules) Yeah, though it should be noted that those latter rules are relatively recent; the injury time-out rule is long-standing. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/95 "2017-01-18T16:41:12Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > If you use it more often, it won’t be a surprise. And it has to be a surprise, because if it isn’t then the lateral is highly vulnerable to being blown up and turned into a fumble by enterprising cornerbacks and safeties. That is a feature not a bug. If you have more cornerbacks and safeties looking around for the lateral guy then they are not flying to the receiver who caught the ball. That means more long runs after the catch as other defenders are slower to tackle the receiver. It also means that the secondary is going to cover the button hook route alot closer which makes them more vulnerable to the double move of the button hook and roll. Three plays which should be used alot more than they are, the hook and ladder, the jump pass, and the [reverse sweep.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWs29oebcqA) Instead its just alot of wide receiver screens. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey\_Dickens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/9fc348/32.png) [@Whiskey\_Dickens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey_Dickens)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/96 "2017-01-18T22:00:31Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > There are six ways of scoring. A touchdown (carrying or passing the ball into the end zone), a field goal (kicin the Anybody else picture Terry Tate creaming ole **Chuck** in mid post? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/97 "2017-01-19T05:10:53Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Anybody else picture Terry Tate creaming ole **Chuck** in mid post? I am now, thanks for the laugh. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/98 "2017-01-19T13:28:35Z")
> [@Whiskey\_Dickens](#): > > Anybody else picture Terry Tate creaming ole **Chuck** in mid post? Whooooo! Break was over 15 minutes ago, bitch! ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/99 "2017-01-19T13:56:48Z")
A few months back I was discussing greatest sports plays with some friends, including Americans. They kept mentioning something called ["the Drive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXTHkseg7tg)" in American football. I, looked it up. Seen it several times now, in an effort to understand it. Partially successful ( somethings I don’t understand, for instance having separate squads of attackers and defenders on the same team). What strikes me is just how much central to the team the Quarterback is, I cannot think of any other team sports position which is, even the Captain in cricket (which is an appointment not a position). He touches the ball every play and is the guy who starts and from the looks of it calls every action. Though might be due to the circumstances of this particular play? This Elway fellow in the clip is basically the entire equivalent of a soccer midfield. Is that…normal? ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302/100 "2017-01-19T14:20:24Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > A few months back I was discussing greatest sports plays with some friends, including Americans. They kept mentioning something called ["the Drive](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXTHkseg7tg)" in American football. I, looked it up. Seen it several times now, in an effort to understand it. Partially successful ( somethings I don’t understand, for instance having separate squads of attackers and defenders on the same team). > > What strikes me is just how much central to the team the Quarterback is, I cannot think of any other team sports position which is, even the Captain in cricket (which is an appointment not a position). He touches the ball every play and is the guy who starts and from the looks of it calls every action. Though might be due to the circumstances of this particular play? > > This Elway fellow in the clip is basically the entire equivalent of a soccer midfield. Is that…normal? Elway is playing exceptionally well, but yes, with a few rare exceptions every offensive play consists of the quarterback taking the snap from the center, and either handing the ball off or passing it, or occasionally running with it himself. Also, your linked video is to a series of plays, not a single play. Each time the ball carrier is tackled, the play is over and they line up for a new play. What’s exceptional about this particular drive is that it was late in a playoff game, and the team that was losing managed to go almost the entire length of the field to score a touchdown and tie the game. But this is indeed the type of activity you’d see in any normal football game. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-american-football-to-someone-who-is-basically-ignorant-of-it/776302.md?page=6)