What is a rush yard?

A rush yard, also known as rushing yard, is a term used in American and Canadian football to measure the yards gained by a running back or ball carrier in a rushing play.

In football, a rushing play usually involves the ball being handed off to a running back who then tries to run with the ball past the line of scrimmage, while the offensive line blocks the defense to create running lanes. The running back's objective is to gain as many rushing yards as possible by avoiding tackles and finding open spaces on the field.

The rush yard statistic is important for evaluating a team's and player's rushing performance. It provides insights into the effectiveness of the running game, offensive line blocking, and the running back's abilities. Rushing yards can impact the flow of the game, as a successful running game can control the clock, tire out the defense, and establish a physical presence that opens up opportunities for the passing game.

Rushing yards are often used in combination with other related statistics, such as average yards per carry, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a player's performance. Additionally, rushing yards are compared among players to determine the leading rushers in a season or career. Some notable NFL players with high career rushing yards include Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, and Barry Sanders.

Overall, rush yards are a fundamental statistic in football, providing valuable insights into a team's offensive strategy and player performance in the running game.