touchback

[ tuhch-bak ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Football.

a play in which the ball is downed after having been kicked into the end zone by the opposing team or having been recovered or intercepted there, or in which it has been kicked beyond the end zone. Compare safety ( def 6a ).

touchback

/ ˈtʌtʃˌbæk /

American football a play in which the ball is put down by a player behind his own goal line when the ball has been put across the goal line by an opponent Compare safety

First recorded in 1885–90; touch + back ²

The other, to his immediate left, is calling for a touchback, the result of an interception.

Carmine finally fell on the ball for a touchback and the excitement in the stands subsided.

But the Boxford boy was on the ball and had scored a touchback!

She punted on the next down and Stone misjudged the ball and followed it across the line for a touchback.

He might have played it safe by taking it over the line for a touchback, but the idea didnt occur to him.

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