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Pick My Team

Lesson 5 · about 8 min if you browse them all

X’s and O’s

Common plays

Coaches draw the sport like this: cream circles for the team with the ball, dark circles with gold letters for the other lot, arrows for where people are meant to go. You do not need a 400-page playbook. These nine shapes cover most of what you will hear on a Sunday.

Path 0/14

Cream circle = offenceGold letters on dark = defenceSolid gold arrow = runCream arrow = routeDashed arrow = throwRed arrow = rush / blitz

Offence (cream circles)

  • QB quarterback
  • RB running back
  • WR wide receiver
  • TE tight end
  • LT LG C RG RT the offensive line (left tackle to right tackle, centre in the middle)

Defence (gold letters)

  • DE defensive end
  • DT defensive tackle
  • LB linebacker
  • CB cornerback
  • S safety

Special teams (when they appear)

  • K kicker
  • ST coverage / special teams
  • RET returner
Offence at the bottom. The running back takes a hand-off and runs straight through a gap in the middle of the line. Offensive linemen step forward to block. Defence is the dark circles with gold letters above the line of scrimmage.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Inside run

The simplest play in the sport. The quarterback hands the ball to the running back, who aims at a gap between the big people in the middle.

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The running back takes the ball and sweeps left around the line, rather than through it. Blockers on that side step out to clear a lane. Defence is the dark circles with gold letters.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Outside run

Instead of diving into the pile, the back takes the ball and races around the edge. The offensive line and a receiver try to wall off that side so there is grass to run into.

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The running back fakes a dive up the middle. The quarterback keeps the ball, drops a step, and throws to a receiver running a deep route on the right. Linebackers are drawn toward the fake.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Play-action pass

The quarterback pretends to hand the ball off. Linebackers step up to stop the run that is not coming. A receiver then slips in behind them.

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Defenders rush the quarterback. Offensive linemen release to the right to form a wall. The running back slips that way and takes a short pass, then runs behind the blockers.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Screen pass

The quarterback lets the defence chase them, then dumps a short pass to a back or receiver who has a wall of teammates waiting. It looks like collapse, then suddenly someone is running in space.

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Both wide receivers run quick slant routes toward the middle. The quarterback throws immediately to the receiver on the left, before the defence can close.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Slant

A receiver takes a short step upfield, then breaks diagonally in. The ball is out of the quarterback’s hand almost immediately. Useful on third-and-short, or when the defence is playing off.

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The wide receiver on the right runs a straight vertical route down the sideline. The quarterback throws a long pass over the defensive back. Other routes are left quiet so the deep shot is obvious.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Go route

The receiver runs straight down the field as fast as they can. The quarterback throws it over the top. It takes time. The whole stadium watches one ball hang in the air.

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Three receivers sprint deep toward the end zone. The quarterback drops and heaves a long pass into the cluster. The running back stays in to block. Defence is the dark circles with gold letters.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Hail Mary

Late on the clock, usually the last play, the quarterback drops and throws as far as they can into the end zone. Several receivers flood the same patch of grass and hope someone comes down with it.

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Two linebackers and a safety rush toward the quarterback as well as the defensive line. Coverage is thinner downfield. The quarterback may have to throw sooner, or get sacked.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Basic blitz

Usually four big defenders rush. A blitz means a linebacker or defensive back joins them. You get more pressure, and more empty grass behind, because those people were meant to cover.

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The quarterback drops a step as if to pass. Defenders climb upfield. The running back takes a delayed hand-off through the space they vacated.LOSLTLGCRGRTTEQBRBWRWRDEDTDTDELBLBLBCBCBSS

Draw

The quarterback drops as if to throw. The defence start to chase the pass. Then the ball is handed to the back, who runs through the gap the rushers just left.

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Finished this one?

Next: Turnovers →See this week’s games →