backfield
noun
back·field
ˈbak-ˌfēld 
: the football players whose positions are behind the line of scrimmage
also
: the positions themselves
Examples of backfield in a Sentence
a tackle made in the backfield
The team has a strong backfield.
Recent Examples on the Web
Not to mention, Stevenson and Henderson are unquestionably better together in a split backfield rather than either one of them taking a lion’s share of the carries.
—
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
Communication is particularly important in the defensive backfield, and having players learning the system on the fly was hurtful.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
At one point Sunday, the Chiefs were trailing 2-0 (really), and 29-year-old Mike Edwards, recently signed from the practice squad, occupied a spot in the defensive backfield as 23-year-old Jaden Hicks stood on the sideline and watched.
—Sam McDowell December 21, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles punted on the first possession of the second half and was facing third-and-7 on the next drive when Herbert escaped Kenneth Murray's grasp in the backfield and sprinted 33 yards, leading to Cameron Dicker's 27-yard field goal for a 27-17 lead with 9 minutes remaining.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfield
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Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 24 Dec. 2025
Communication is particularly important in the defensive backfield, and having players learning the system on the fly was hurtful.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
At one point Sunday, the Chiefs were trailing 2-0 (really), and 29-year-old Mike Edwards, recently signed from the practice squad, occupied a spot in the defensive backfield as 23-year-old Jaden Hicks stood on the sideline and watched.
—Sam McDowell December 21, Kansas City Star, 22 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles punted on the first possession of the second half and was facing third-and-7 on the next drive when Herbert escaped Kenneth Murray's grasp in the backfield and sprinted 33 yards, leading to Cameron Dicker's 27-yard field goal for a 27-17 lead with 9 minutes remaining.
—CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for backfield
Cite this Entry
“Backfield.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backfield. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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backfield
noun
back·field
-ˌfēld
: the football players who line up behind the line of scrimmage
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