What does it mean when a football commentator says a running back is “running downhill?”?

November 13th, 2009 | by DistanceRunner |
Nick asked:


My friends and I can’t figure out this popular Madden phrase, but we decided together that we have definitely heard this phrase used by other commentators in reference to a running back. Sometimes it seems to be used because they get a big gain on a run, but it doesn’t get used consistently enough for us to be sure. Any ideas?

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  1. 5 Responses to “What does it mean when a football commentator says a running back is “running downhill?”?”

  2. By kvilledave on Nov 16, 2009 | Reply

    If you’ve ever been on a real college or NFL outdoor field, you’d know what this means. Football fields for outdoor stadiums are shaped like a hill in the center. This is so rain can easily drain from the field. You can’t see this topography from a TV view, but if you stood on one sideline and looked across the field to the other sideline, you’d only see people’s chests and heads.

    Edit: NFL rules dictate a specific slope for the crown of every field in the league.

    When a runner runs from the center of the field to either sideline, they are literally running downhill.

  3. By roskolokes on Nov 19, 2009 | Reply

    as far as i know its when they run “head first” some runners run in a way so they can easily juke,spin, or stop. then theres the downhill runners. the ones that put there head low and tend to go in straight lines and try to smash through anything in their way. Imagine running downhill, your not going to move around to much. your going to go blistering fast and get low. I have no idea about the “topography” answer.

  4. By outsidebeerdrinker on Nov 20, 2009 | Reply

    The players are running from the police.

  5. By TheAssassin on Nov 22, 2009 | Reply

    The term “running downhill” is used to describe a running style.

    RB’s that are labeled “downhill runners” don’t usually dance around in the backfield or run laterally across the field. Example: Barry Sanders and Reggie Bush are not considered downhill runners.

    RB’s that aggressively hit the hole and run down field north to south (or horizontally viewed from the sideline), keeping their pads square with the endzone while making cuts and using momentum to gain yardage after contact are incorporating the style of running known as “running downhill”.

    When watched on the sideline, TV, or stands, it looks like the RB is carrying a lot of momentum, as if they were running downhill.

    Brandon Jacobs is a good example of a RB using this style of running, but it doesn’t necessarily mean only power RB’s use this style. Terrell Davis was also very good at “running downhill”.

  6. By Britt on Nov 25, 2009 | Reply

    Running downhill means to run directly towards the endzone you are trying to score in, also referred to as running “squared up” so that your knees and shoulders are going in the same direction, making it harder to bring down a powerful back who is running straight at you. This style of running is the opposite of finesse running, or using speed to your advantage, but rather relying on pure strength and toughness to batter defenders. The best example of a downhill runner would be Marion “The Barbarian” Barbar of Dallas, rarely will you see him run out of bounds, or try to finesse his way in a crowd of people. He loves contact, and experts say this style will lead to a shorter career in the NFL, while others insist it’s the only way he knows to run and won’t change. Coaches prefer downhill running as opposed to sideline to sideline running because it reduces your chances of being stripped and fumbling the ball.

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