0 in American football, the line on which the ball is positioned at the beginning of play (= a period of action) --
1 an imaginary line along which football teams face each other at the start of each play --
Neither the offense nor the defense can cross the line of scrimmage before the play commences.
The cornerbacks protect the sidelines of the field from the line of scrimmage to anywhere between 1520 yards out.
Fullbacks often line up closer to the line of scrimmage than tailbacks do, so they may block for them.
The two offensive ends on the line of scrimmage may receive forward passes.
The rule at the time mandated that a forward pass had to be thrown from at least five yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Those players may be positioned at any place along the line of scrimmage (which extends all of the way across the playing field).
Most quarterbacks are right-handed and in order to throw, they stand with their left shoulders facing down field, closer to the line of scrimmage.
It is thrown behind the line of scrimmage so that the pulling linemen can get their blocks established.
