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

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
McWilliams excels in zone coverages and is an aggressive tackler in space and at the line of scrimmage. Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025 Pass interference can only be committed by players who are more than one yard beyond the line of scrimmage. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2025 Besides their football intelligence, what Anderson also said stands out most about both players is their quick burst off the line of scrimmage. Chris Hays, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025 His footwork at the line of scrimmage and his violent hands often gave him an advantage before a receiver could even get up the field. James Boyd, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for line of scrimmage

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of line of scrimmage was circa 1909

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Line of scrimmage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/line%20of%20scrimmage. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

line of scrimmage

: an imaginary line in football parallel to the goal lines and running through the place the ball is laid before each play begins
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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