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

Whether the two opposing linemen actually met at the line of scrimmage that night in 1928 — or in 1929, when the schools played again — has surely been lost to history. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Every Dolphins defensive lineman struggled resetting the line of scrimmage, or shedding their blocks. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026

Wilson used amoeba looks with seven players crowding the line of scrimmage before some dropped into coverage on two third downs. — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Shoot, how about just getting blown off the line of scrimmage on offense and defense throughout the night? — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for line of scrimmage

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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