Positions and roles
Quarterback (QB)
The player who takes the snap and either throws the ball, hands it off or runs it himself.
The quarterback takes the snap and decides what happens next: throw, hand off or run. He sets protections, reads the coverage before and after the snap, and gets the ball out on time against pressure.
Everything an offense does is organised around what its quarterback can see and how quickly he can process it.
Related terms
More in Positions and roles
- Head coach (HC)
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Running back (RB)
- Fullback (FB)
- Wide receiver (WR)
- X receiver
- Z receiver (flanker)
- Slot receiver
- Tight end (TE)
- Offensive line (OL)
- Center (C)
- Guard (G)
- Left tackle and right tackle
- Defensive lineman (DL)
- EDGE
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Slot corner (nickel)
- Safety (SAF)
- Kicker (K)
- H-back