line of scrimmage
noun phrase
: an imaginary line in football that is parallel to the goal lines and tangent to the nose of the ball laid on the ground and marks the position of the ball at the start of each down
Examples of line of scrimmage in a Sentence
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Innovative football coach Robert Zuppke used the trick play — in which the quarterback hands the ball off, catches a pass behind the line of scrimmage and then throws it — at Oak Park High School before he was hired by the University of Illinois.
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Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
But decisions made at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped can help eliminate mistakes, as well.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Garrett has spent his entire career as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, whereas the Rams have played in a 3-4 scheme during the McVay era with two outside linebackers lining up at the line of scrimmage.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Most notable at the line of scrimmage were Williams, Clark and Gary.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 8 June 2026
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Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
But decisions made at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped can help eliminate mistakes, as well.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
Garrett has spent his entire career as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense, whereas the Rams have played in a 3-4 scheme during the McVay era with two outside linebackers lining up at the line of scrimmage.
—Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Most notable at the line of scrimmage were Williams, Clark and Gary.
—Jon MacHota, New York Times, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for line of scrimmage
Cite this Entry
“Line of scrimmage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20scrimmage. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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