Ever wondered what the initials ‘FT’ in football betting stands for?
It is short for ‘Futbol Tees’, which is the popular Spanish abbreviation for football. So if you see a football betting odds quote which starts with ‘2.5 FT’, that means the bet will earn you approximately $2.50 profit. (Or, to give it a friendly ‘Chilean’ twist, ‘2.5 falta’ – ‘1.75′ in English.)
In some countries, such as Spain and Italy, people often use the abbreviation ‘FT’ in place of ‘Futbol Tees’, as if it were simply short for ‘Futbol Tees’, or alternatively ‘Fullback Tees’. (Yes, they do like their football shirts to be the right length.)
So, what does ‘FT’ stand for in football betting? Let’s have a look…
Fullback
In American football (which is also known as ‘football’ in some parts of the world), the term ‘fullback’ refers to one of the two players on the offense side of the field. (The other is typically referred to as the ‘quarterback’ or ‘quarterback-ish’ player.)
The fullback often lines up across from the defensive line and attempts to run or pass from there. They are usually bigger and stronger than the other players on the field, and are tasked with shielding the quarterback from the defensive line. Think of Aaron Rodgers’ role in the Green Bay Packers or Drew Brees’ role in the New Orleans Saints as traditional examples of fullbacks in American football.
In English football, the equivalent position is known as a ‘wingback’. (In Australian rules football, the equivalent position is known as the ‘flanker’ or ‘slot’ player.)
Futbol
‘Futbol’ is the Spanish word for football, and it is also the word used in other parts of Europe to refer to the game. In some countries, particularly Spain and Portugal, people sometimes use the word ‘futbol’ to refer to the game itself, rather than simply to the uniform or shirt worn by the players.
In the world of football, ‘futbol’ usually refers to association football (or simply ‘soccer’), since that is the game played worldwide. (Although in some countries, such as Costa Rica, the use of the word ‘futbol’ to mean both football and rugby is common.)
The game of soccer, or football as it is known in the United States, is often viewed as a team sport rather than as an individual one. That is primarily because teamwork is so often required to score goals or prevent opponents from doing the same. (And, let’s face it, when you are on the field, you are really working as a team.)
In addition to requiring teamwork, soccer is often played on well-manicured grass rather than on a natural playing field. That is because, for some reason, the ‘football’ groundskeepers enjoy putting the ‘finals’ in their own words “on a nice green pitch”. (What is it with men and their love for green grass?)
Tee
‘Tee’ is the British equivalent of ‘shirt’, and it is also the name of the company which makes and sells some of the most popular t-shirts worn by English cricket fans. (The same company also makes and sells a range of ladies’ t-shirts – a market which presumably they have experienced firsthand, given that more women play cricket than men do football.)
In some regions of England, particularly Yorkshire and the Northwest, the expression ‘tee off’ actually means ‘put away your shirt’ or ‘take off your shirt’ when asked to perform a golfing task. (This is particularly true of gentlemen golfers, as the opposite, ‘towel off’, means ‘take off your towel’ and is often used in the sauna after a tough round of golf.)
Falta
‘Falta’ is the Spanish word for ‘short’, and it is also the term which is used in conjunction with the kick off in American football. That is so the other player can sprint on to the field to begin the game. (Or, to give it a ‘Chilean’ twist, ‘falta’ is the Spanish word for ‘short’ and it is also the term which is used in conjunction with the kick off in American football. That is so the other player can sprint on to the field to begin the game. (Or, to give it a ‘Chilean’ twist, ‘falta’ is the Spanish word for ‘short’ and it is also the term which is used in conjunction with the kick off in American football. That is so the other player can sprint on to the field to begin the game. (Or, to give it a ‘Chilean’ twist, ‘falta’ is the Spanish word for ‘short’ and it is also the term which is used in conjunction with the kick off in American football. That is so the other player can sprint on to the field to begin the game.)
Whether you are a fan of American football or of soccer, it is fair to say that both sports have quite a bit in common. Both teams require skill, strength, and teamwork to win games, and that is certainly evident from the get-go as you show up to watch or play a match. (Although there are definitely some major contrasts as well between the two sports. For instance, the quarterback in American football is often the focal point of the offense rather than the wingback in soccer. And, in some cases, the fullback is the player which is tasked with blocking the other team’s defenders rather than gaining yardage himself.)