line of scrimmage

American  

noun

Football.

1. an imaginary line parallel to the goal lines that passes from one sideline to the other through the point of the football closest to the goal line of each team.

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line of scrimmage British  

noun

1. American football an imaginary line, parallel to the goal lines, on which the ball is placed at the start of a down and on either side of which the offense and defense line up

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Etymology

Origin of line of scrimmage

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

If there’s trust on the back end, James can move up closer to the line of scrimmage to make plays and wreak havoc.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

But under pressure, Williams retreated so far to buy himself time that he found himself 26.5 yards behind the line of scrimmage when he threw the ball.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Instead, while players from both teams piled up near the line of scrimmage, he spun out to the right and ran untouched into the end zone for a 35-yard, game-winning score.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

How the Jaguars can win: Jacksonville can look like a playoff team when it wins at the line of scrimmage but tends to collapse when it gets pushed around.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2025

Right before coming to the line of scrimmage, McDougal turned to Bevers and said simply, “This is it.”

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger