What is "squib kick"

n. (context sports English) A play in American Football whereby the team performing the kick-off kicks the ball so that it will bounce instead of going deep downfield.

A squib kick (also known as a "pooch kick") is a term used in American football meaning a short, low, line drive kickoff that usually bounces around on the ground before it can be picked up by a member of the receiving team. The ball is kicked so short that it forces the receiving team's slower players to recover the ball first instead of their faster kick returner. Secondly, the bouncing ball may be harder for the receiving team to pick up, allowing more time for kicking team members to get downfield to surround the ball carrier.