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Order of a playMain article: Play from scrimmageA play begins in one of two ways:
A play from scrimmage begins when the ball is delivered from the center to a back, usually the quarterback. A free kick (either a kick-off or a "free kick after safety") occurs. The play begins when the ball touches the foot of the kicker Once the play begins, it will continue until one of the following events happens:
The ball carrier is down, usually defined as when any body part besides the hands and feet touches the ground. The ball carrier's forward progress is stopped to the point where a stalemate occurs and it is clear that the ball cannot be advanced any farther, nor is he easily going down as defined above. The ball carrier steps out of bounds. A forward pass touches the ground before it is caught (an incomplete pass). It should be noted that the ball touching the ground in other situations (called a fumble)does NOT end the play. In the case of a fumble, the play still continues until one of the above conditions is met.
When the play ends, the ball is set for the next play. For the first three instances above, the ball is set at the point of its maximum forward progress. That means that if a runner is driven back in the process of a tackle OR is ruled down by lack of forward progress, the ball is placed as close to his opponent's goal line as he had gotten before being driven back. If he runs backwards of his own volition, the ball is marked where he goes down. In the case of an incomplete pass, the ball is placed at the previous line of scrimmage.
Play then resumes as described above.
A basic ruleThe offensive team must have seven players on the line of scrimmage at the start of a play. Those players may be positioned at any place along the line of scrimmage (which extends all of the way across the playing field).
The defensive team may position as many as 11 players on the line of scrimmage. Usually, there are from 3 to 8 defensive players on the line of scrimmage.
Offensive PlaysAll of the following descriptions of plays assume familiarity with positions and formations. For simplicity, a standard I-formation is assumed unless otherwise noted:
Basic I formation: Gaps and holes (note that the sides may be reversed)
Also, the following terms will be used in describing plays:
run block -- An active type of blocking, where the player steps forward in an attempt to push a defensive player out of the path of the ball carrier. pass block-- A passive type of blocking, where the player steps backward to establish a pocket around the quarterback to give the quarterback a chance to pass. lead block-- A situation where one player precedes the ball carrier along his intended path in order to clear any defensive players that have not already been blocked. pull -- When a member of the offensive line takes a step back from his usual place in a line and moves laterally in order to block somewhere else and pulling can be done on pass and run plays. pocket -- the protected area around a quarterback established by the offensive line in order to give him adequate time and sight lines in order to complete a pass hole -- A gap in the line where a ball carrier aims on a running play. These can be predesignated holes defined by the spacing between players before the snap, or they can be established by moving players around and establishing the holes after the snap (in a play called run-to-daylight. snap The act of the center passing the ball from a resting position on the ground to a player behind the line of scrimmage, usually (but not always) the quarterback. pass -- Also called a forward pass. A ball that leaves a player's hand and moves towards the opponents goal line. lateral -- Also called a backward pass, pitch, or pitch-out. A ball that leaves a player's hand and moves parallel to or away from the opponent's goal line. handoff -- A ball that is handed directly from one player to another without leaving the first player's hands first. Running PlaysIn a running play, the ball is advanced beyond the line of scrimmage by a player who receives it from behind the line of scrimmage. The player advancing the ball can be:
the one who receives the ball from center OR a player who receives the ball from THAT person via handoff or lateral. Any number of handoffs or laterals can occur on any play at any time. Up the middleMain article: Plunge/DiveAlso called dive or slam or numerous other names. The most basic run play is a run up the middle. In this case, the ball is handed off from the quarterback to a running back. The back then aims for a predetermined hole between his offensive linemen. This hole can be either between center and guard or between guard and tackle. The offensive line will run block, pushing defenders away from the chosen hole. Often, the fullback will lead block through the hole first to clear a path for the running back.
In a run up the middle, the running back will aim for one of the A or B gapsOff tackleMain article: Off TackleThe 'bread-and-butter' of any offense, this is the most common run play. Rather than aiming for a hole in the line, the running back aims for the spot just outside of the tackle. This type of play allows for more improvisation by the running back once he is past the line, since there is often more open field in this area than in any run up the middle.
In an off tackle play, the running back often aims for one of the C gapsSweepMain article: Sweep (American football)In a sweep play, the running back begins by running towards the sideline before heading forward. This motion allows for some of the offensive linemen, often one or both guards, to pull from their normal positions and establish a lane for the running back to run through. A lead blocking fullback often leads him through the lane. This play was the central play in Vince Lombardi's "run-to-daylight" offense that was so successful for the Green Bay Packers of the 1960's.
diagram showing the blocking assignments of the line during a sweep play. The running back will aim for the lane established by his guards and "run to daylight". - \ _ _ _ _ - / W T G C G T E _______ W _______________
CounterSee also: Counter run and Counter trey Also called a misdirection. In this play, the runner begins by taking a step or two away from his intended path, then doubling back and heading in the opposite direction. Often defenders are clueing on the first move of the running back. The defenders committed to the first step, but the play moves in the opposite direction.
Counter plays are often (but not always) coupled with influence blocking, where the offensive line blocks the defense towards (rather than away from) the intended direction of the play. This gambit often causes the defenders to think the play is going in the opposite direction, and they react as such.
DrawMain article: Draw playAlso called a delay. In a draw play, the offensive line drops into pass blocking positions, and the quarterback takes a drop as though he were going to pass. He then hands the ball off to his running back (or keeps it himself) and runs forward past the rushing defenders. The idea is that the defenders will be tricked in advancing on the quarterback as though it were a pass play, and this will vacate the area just beyond the line of scrimmage for the runner to take advantage of.
BootlegMain article: Bootleg playThe quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back and continues running with the ball opposite from the direction the running back was headed. The bootleg can have blockers similar to a sweep (and in such cases is it often called a quarterback sweep) or it can be run naked, that is without any blockers at all. A naked bootleg relies on the defense "buying" the fake handoff and moving to tackle the running back rather than the quarterback.BootlegMain article: Bootleg playThe quarterback fakes a handoff to the running back and continues running with the ball opposite from the direction the running back was headed. The bootleg can have blockers similar to a sweep (and in such cases is it often called a quarterback sweep) or it can be run naked, that is without any blockers at all. A naked bootleg relies on the defense "buying" the fake handoff and moving to tackle the running back rather than the quarterback.End-aroundMain article: End-aroundThe wide receiver receives a handoff directly from the quarterback. The receiver then may proceed to do one of two things: he either runs the ball towards the line of scrimmage in order to gain yardage, or more rarely, he attempts to pass to another eligible pass receiver.
End-aroundMain article: End-aroundThe wide receiver receives a handoff directly from the quarterback. The receiver then may proceed to do one of two things: he either runs the ball towards the line of scrimmage in order to gain yardage, or more rarely, he attempts to pass to another eligible pass receiver.
Pass routesGoA Go is a deep route used typically when the receiver has a speed advantage over the defensive back. In the route, the receiver will run as fast as possible in order to get deeper than the defensive back allowing the quarterback to throw the ball in a spot where only the receiver can get to it. Due to the speed of the current NFL and college games the go will often be preceded by a double movePostA post is a deep play where wide receivers run straight down the field a short distance (10-15 yards), and then angle in towards the center of the field (toward the goal 'posts') where the ball is caught at high speed. When this play was originally designed, the goal posts were on the "zero" yard line, in the front of the endzone - thus, a cornerback in man coverage would be led into the post. In a skinny post, the route is shorter and quicker than a deep post, which may cover 30 or 40 yards. This may also be referred to as a "glance in" or a "bang eight."
PostA post is a deep play where wide receivers run straight down the field a short distance (10-15 yards), and then angle in towards the center of the field (toward the goal 'posts') where the ball is caught at high speed. When this play was originally designed, the goal posts were on the "zero" yard line, in the front of the endzone - thus, a cornerback in man coverage would be led into the post. In a skinny post, the route is shorter and quicker than a deep post, which may cover 30 or 40 yards. This may also be referred to as a "glance in" or a "bang eight."
Corner or Post-CornerSimilar to a Post, a corner is a deep play that starts with the wide receiver running straight down the field for 10 to 15 yards. Once that point is hit, they angle towards the middle of the field. After a few steps in one direction, the receiver will change direction and run to the other corner of the field to catch the ball at high speed.
OutAn out route will usually feature the receiver running 7 to 10 yards downfield and then making a 45 degree turn towards the sideline.
OutAn out route will usually feature the receiver running 7 to 10 yards downfield and then making a 45 degree turn towards the sideline.
FlatA Flat route is named after the area of the field where it takes place. During a typical play, due to the routes of other receivers, there is an area of the field that is vacated. This area known as the "flats" is typically from the hash marks to the sideline and from the line of scrimmage to 3-5 yards downfield. The route itself may be executed several ways. The most common is also known as the arrow. This consists of a receiver lining up near the offensive tackle and then taking a short angled path directly to this area. Running backs often will execute a special flat route that involves them running toward the sideline without the ball from the backfield and then turning upfield as a receiver. This is often referred to as a swing route.
Option routesParticularly in the highest levels of competition (professional and major college), a play may call for the receiver to 'read' the defensive coverage against him, and run a second route if the first option would be ineffectual. As an example, the receiver may be instructed to begin with a slant route, but if the defender has that covered, switch to an out route. For this to work correctly, the passer must make the same read as the receiver.
Screen passA screen pass is a pass that is normally thrown to a receiver or running back behind the line of scrimmage. It is thrown behind the line of scrimmage so that the pulling linemen can get their blocks established. There is another screen called a bubble screen where there are 3 receivers bunched together to one side, and after the snap the ball is almost instantly thrown to the one farthest behind the line of scrimmage.
Play-actionThe quarterback takes the snap and drops back to feign a handoff to the running back. The quarterback then rapidly pulls the ball back from the faked handoff, trying to hide it from the defense. The running back continues to move upfield as if he has the ball in his hands. The offensive line starts to run block, but then quickly goes into pass protection. The receivers appear to block at first, then go into their routes.
On a play-action pass, which is essentially the opposite of the draw play, the quarterback hopes to fake the defenders into thinking the offense is going to run the ball. The effects of this play is to slow down the pass rush of the defense and it forces the defensive backs to make a decision between covering a receiver or coming up to help stop the run.Play-actionThe quarterback takes the snap and drops back to feign a handoff to the running back. The quarterback then rapidly pulls the ball back from the faked handoff, trying to hide it from the defense. The running back continues to move upfield as if he has the ball in his hands. The offensive line starts to run block, but then quickly goes into pass protection. The receivers appear to block at first, then go into their routes.
On a play-action pass, which is essentially the opposite of the draw play, the quarterback hopes to fake the defenders into thinking the offense is going to run the ball. The effects of this play is to slow down the pass rush of the defense and it forces the defensive backs to make a decision between covering a receiver or coming up to help stop the run.