What Does Touchback Mean?

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What does touchback mean?

Definitions for touchbackˈtʌtʃˌbæktouch·back

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word touchback.

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. touchbacknoun

   (American football) a play in which the opposing team has kicked the football into your end zone

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. touchbacknoun

   The result of a play (usually a kickoff or punt) in which the ball passes out the back of the end zone or a team otherwise gains possession of the ball in their own end zone.

   The ball sailed into the end zone for a touchback and the Eagles had possession on the 20-yard line.

2. Etymology: Presumably: touchdown + back

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Touchback

   In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead on or behind a team's own goal line (i.e., in their end zone) and the opposing team gave the ball the momentum, or impetus, to travel over or across the goal line but did not have possession of the ball when it became dead. Since the 2018 season, touchbacks have also been awarded in college football on kickoffs that end in a fair catch by the receiving team between its own 25-yard line and goal line. Such impetus may be imparted by a kick, pass, fumble, or in certain instances by batting the ball. A touchback is not a play, but a result of events that may occur during a play. A touchback is the opposite of a safety with regard to impetus since a safety is scored when the ball becomes dead in a team's end zone after that team — the team whose end zone it is — caused the ball to cross the goal line. The result of a touchback is that the team in whose endzone the ball became dead receives possession of the ball and starts play with a first down at their own 20- or 25-yard line, depending on the situation.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. touchback

   A touchback is a play in American or Canadian football that occurs when the ball becomes dead in a team's end zone, in result of which the team is awarded possession of the ball at a specified spot on the field. This usually happens when a punt or kickoff lands in the end zone or is caught in the end zone and is not advanced out of it, or when the defense downs a ball in the end zone after the offensive team has fumbled or thrown an interception.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Touchbacknoun

   the act of touching the football down by a player behind his own goal line when it received its last impulse from an opponent; -- distinguished from safety touchdown

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Touchback

   In American football, a touchback is a ruling which is made and signaled by an official when the ball becomes dead behind or above a goal line and the team who is attacking that goal line is responsible for the ball being there. Responsibility is determined by which team gave the ball the impetus to travel over or across the goal line. Such impetus may be imparted by a kick, pass, fumble, or in certain instances by batting the ball. A touchback is not a play, but a result of events that may occur during a play. A touchback is the opposite of a safety with regard to impetus since a safety is scored when the defending team is responsible for the ball becoming dead behind or above its own goal. Examples of instances where a touchback would be awarded include when: ⁕A kickoff or punt enters the end zone and becomes dead behind the goal line without being advanced beyond the goal line by a player of the receiving team. Thus, a player on the receiving team could attempt to advance the ball out of his own end zone, but the original impetus from the kick remains as long as the ball does not completely cross the goal line into the field of play. Note that if a kick is fielded by the receiving team in its end zone, is advanced beyond the goal line, and then the ball carrier retreats back into his own end zone where the ball is downed, it is a safety because the impetus would then be charged to the receiving team.

Matched Categories

1. • American Football
   • Football Play

Usage in printed sourcesFrom:

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How to pronounce touchback?

1. AlexUS EnglishDavidUS EnglishMarkUS EnglishDanielBritishLibbyBritishMiaBritishKarenAustralianHayleyAustralianNatashaAustralianVeenaIndianPriyaIndianNeerjaIndianZiraUS EnglishOliverBritishWendyBritishFredUS EnglishTessaSouth African

How to say touchback in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of touchback in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of touchback in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of touchback in a Sentence

1. Kevin Stefanski:

   I will never ever doubt Rashard Higgins ’ effort or our guys ’ effort, our rule there is not to reach the ball out when it is first-and-goal, and Rashard Higgins ' knows that. Again, appreciate Rashard Higgins ' effort. Rashard Higgins ' battled like Rashard Higgins ' always does, but we have to fight that urge because it is such a big loss if it does end up being a touchback.

more sentences »

Popularity rank by frequency of use

touchback#100000#127171#333333

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNethttp://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=touchback
2. ^ Wiktionaryhttps://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Touchback
3. ^ Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback
4. ^ ChatGPThttps://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionaryhttps://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/touchback
6. ^ Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=touchback
7. ^ Usage in printed sourceshttps://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=touchback

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"touchback." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LTD, 2026. Web. 12 Mar. 2026. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/touchback>.

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