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backfield

[ bak-feeld ]

noun

, Football.
  1. (used with a plural verb) the members of the team who, on offense, are stationed behind the linemen and, on defense, behind the linebackers.
  2. their positions considered as a unit.
  3. the area where the backs play.


backfield

/ ˈbækˌfiːld /

noun

  1. the backfield
    sometimes functioning as plural the quarterback and running backs in a team
  2. the area behind the line of scrimmage from which the backfield begin each play
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of backfield1

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15; back 1 + field
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Example Sentences

He scurried for yardage and scrambled deep into his own backfield to keep plays alive, but the Buccaneers battered and chased him all night.

He added 49 catches for 344 yards and three touchdowns out of the backfield.

That has forced the Ravens to line up Ricard at multiple positions — in the backfield and at the Y-tight end spot, which is an in-line blocking position next to an offensive tackle.

He caught a five-yarder that he carted inside the left pylon after a nifty plot in which he edged toward the backfield early in the play, then floated quickly out to the left to field Jones’s flip.

Running back David Montgomery was in the backfield and took a direct snap, then handed the ball to wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson on an apparent end-around.

A hulking defender breaks into the backfield and takes him down with a vicious clothesline tackle.

After a dozen plays Brimfield had gained half the distance to the Red's goal without having put her new backfield to the test.

A plunge at the center, with the whole Banning backfield behind the quarter, who carried, yielded most of two yards.

With McNutt in there, thats a mighty pretty backfield, and Kenlys going to know it three weeks from tomorrow!

Years ago, a winter came on to stay before the corn was all in—a patch of corn on a remote backfield of Jack Miner's farm.

Tim Otis had a remarkably good day and was undeniably the best man in the backfield for the home team.

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