General
defer
What does defer mean?
When the team winning the coin toss chooses to delay its option to the start of the second half, usually to receive the ball then.
"They won the toss and elected to defer, taking the ball after halftime."
Origin
American football; from 'defer' meaning to put off a decision.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to defer in football?
The team that wins the coin toss chooses to delay its choice until the second half, so it usually receives the kickoff to start the third quarter.
Why would a team defer the coin toss?
Deferring lets a team get the ball to open the second half, giving it a chance to score at the end of the first half and again at the start of the second.
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