Positions and roles
Center (C)
The middle offensive lineman, who snaps the ball and sets the protection calls.
The center snaps the ball and identifies the front, declaring who the line is responsible for before the play starts. He blocks a nose tackle or climbs to a linebacker depending on the call.
A center who identifies fronts quickly saves his quarterback from free rushers.
Related terms
More in Positions and roles
- Head coach (HC)
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Quarterback (QB)
- Running back (RB)
- Fullback (FB)
- Wide receiver (WR)
- X receiver
- Z receiver (flanker)
- Slot receiver
- Tight end (TE)
- Offensive line (OL)
- Guard (G)
- Left tackle and right tackle
- Defensive lineman (DL)
- EDGE
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Slot corner (nickel)
- Safety (SAF)
- Kicker (K)
- H-back