CHAPTER
4 : OFFENSIVE FOOTBALL
As stated earlier, each team is allowed
eleven players on the field at any given time.
A team will either be on offense or defense. The offensive team’s basic goal is to advance
the ball down the field, and to cross the goal line. However, the defensive team’s basic goal is
to prevent the other team from achieving this goal, and to get the ball back
for their offense.
In this chapter, we will take a look at
offensive football. We will define what
an offense is, and examine some of the basics of the offensive game.
Let’s start by looking at the individual
positions on the offensive team, and what each player’s role is in the overall
team.
OFFENSIVE
POSITIONS
·
QUARTERBACK
(QB)
Most people consider the quarterback
to be the most important player on a football team. If for no other reason, this may be true
because the quarterback has the ball in his hands more than any other player on
the team.
The quarterback is part of what is
called the backfield. He is responsible
for executing the offensive plays, directing his team down the field, and
scoring touchdowns. He will call a play
in the team’s huddle, then usually either hand off the football to a running
back (RB) or drop back and throw the football to a receiver (WR or TE).
·
RUNNING BACKS (RB)
The running backs are typically the
offensive players whose job is to run (or rush) the football. They line up in the backfield, and will
either take a direct hand-off or a pitch-out from the quarterback, and attempt
to advance the ball down the field.
Running backs also receive passes from the quarterback.
There are normally at least one, and
usually two, running backs in an offense.The two types of running backs are
usually featured on an offense : the halfback
and the fullback. The halfback
is usually a faster runner who tries to outrun or elude defenders, while the fullback is usually a power runner who
is used in short-yardage situations or near the goal line.
·
RECEIVERS (WR & TE).
The receivers on an offense are
responsible for running downfield (pass patterns) and catching passes from the
quarterback. There are usually two wide receivers (WR), and a tight end (TE).
The wide receivers (or split ends), who line up on each side of the
offensive line, often catch more of the passes, and may be faster. The tight
end is usually a bigger player, and in addition to catching passes, often
blocks for the running backs.
·
OFFENSIVE
LINE.
The offensive line is a group of
players who form what is called the “Line
of Scrimmage.” It usually consists
of five or six players : a center, two guards, two tackles, and the tight
end. These players are usually the biggest and strongest players on the team, and their goal is to protect the quarterback, and block or open pathways for the running backs.
o
The
center
(C) is in the middle of this line,
and his primary job is to take the football and “hike” [hand] it to the
quarterback to start each play.
o
The
two guards
and two tackles are located on each side of the center and are designated
as LG and LT (left), and RG and RT (right).
o
The
tight
end (TE) is considered a receiver, but is usually positioned on the
right side of the offensive line. This
player is often used for blocking, as well as receiving.
{ TO BE CONTINUED }
© 2014 Bob Wingate
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