A "dive" (or "plunge" or "buck", also called a line plunge or line buck) is a type of

play Play most commonly refers to: * Play (activity), an activity done for enjoyment * Play (theatre), a work of drama Play may refer also to: Computers and technology * Google Play, a digital content service * Play Framework, a Java framework * Pla ...

American football American football (referred to simply as football in the United States and Canada), also known as gridiron, is a team sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The offense, the team with ...

in which the

ball A ball is a round object (usually spherical, but can sometimes be ovoid) with several uses. It is used in ball games, where the play of the game follows the state of the ball as it is hit, kicked or thrown by players. Balls can also be used f ...

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(usually a fullback or a halfback) attempts to thrust quickly over the

line of scrimmage In gridiron football, a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the field) beyond which a team cannot cross until the next play has begun. Its location is based on the spot where the ball is placed after the end o ...

, rushing through the

linemen Lineman or linesman may refer to: In personal roles: *Lineworker, one who installs and maintains electrical power, telephone, or telegraph lines *Lineman (gridiron football), a position in American football *Head linesman, the American football of ...

. A dive or buck is distinct from both an

end run In gridiron football, an end run is a running play in which the player carrying the ball tries to avoid being tackled by running outside the end (or flank) of the offensive line. It is distinct from a dive, which is a run "up the middle", or an o ...

and an

off-tackle run An off-tackle run in American football is a play in which the running back carries the ball through a running lane off of the tackle's block. The lead block kicks out the end man on the line of scrimmage, and another offensive player usually blo ...

; the gap for the runner can be either between center and guard or between guard and tackle.

Types

The dive may be run with or without a lead blocker, though when run with a lead blocker it may be called a "lead dive". It is often, though not always, used in short-yardage situations, specifically at the goal line.

Historical types

A "cross buck" is a play with two backs crossing paths, one faking to receive the ball, and the other receiving it; thus a dive play with either a faked cross buck or a faked

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was known as a "split buck".

Requirements

Fullbacks, or larger, stronger running backs less prone to fumbling, are favorable because this play values strength over speed.

References

American football plays {{Americanfootball-stub