General
stiff arm
What does stiff arm mean?
When a ball carrier uses his free arm, held out straight, to push away or ward off a would-be tackler.
"He delivered a vicious stiff arm to shed the defender and score."
Origin
American football; the arm is held 'stiff' to fend off tacklers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a stiff arm in football?
A stiff arm is when a ball carrier holds his free arm out straight to push away or fend off a defender trying to tackle him.
Is a stiff arm legal in football?
Yes, the ball carrier is allowed to use an open-hand stiff arm to ward off tacklers as long as he doesn't grab the facemask.
What's the point of a stiff arm?
It lets the ball carrier keep a defender at distance and break the tackle, creating space to gain extra yards.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
