(a) Military = line of defence at defence, n. phrases 3 (now chiefly historical); (b) American Football the defensive players positioned on the line…

American Football. The rush line (rush line n. at compounds 2). As a count noun: a member of the rush line, a rusher; frequently with modifying…

the line of rushers (rusher, n.2 4); also figurative.

the line of attacking players positioned on the line of scrimmage, directly opposite the defensive line; (also) the position of such a player.

the side of a formation (at the line of scrimmage) having the most players; (also) the side of the offensive formation on which the tight end…

in Baseball, the outfield (rare or nonce-use); in American football, the (positions occupied by) players behind the line of scrimmage.

American Football. A group of players trained to act together as a single unit of attack or defence and usually sent into or withdrawn from the game…

American Football. The defensive backfield.

American Football. slang. The squad of players used for kick-offs and punts. Cf. special team n. (a) at special, adj. adv.n. compounds 2.

= defensive line n. (b) at defensive, adj. n.compounds.