Football Basics

Part 1
A Football Play Diagram

Source: 2009_3-4_Grade_Playbook.pdf
 What does that mean?
O = Offensive Player
X = Defensive Player

X X
X denotes the Offensive Center Position
O
is the football for reference

X X X
X
X X X X X
X O O O
O O O O
O
O O O
 Offense/Defense
The Defense is trying to stop the offense from scoring

X X

X X X
X
X X X X X The Line of
Scrimmage

X O O O
O O O O The Line of
Scrimmage is

O an imaginary
line drawn
across the field
at the spot of
the ball.

O O O
Neither team
my cross this
line prior to the
snap of the ball

The Offense is trying to move the ball down the field and over the goal line to score
 Positions & Hole Numbering
Safety Safety

X X
Inside Linebacker Inside Linebacker
Outside Linebacker Outside Linebacker

X X X
X
End Tackle Nose Guard Tackle End

X X X X X
7 X O O O
O O O O 5 3 1
Center
2
Guard
4
Tackle
6
Tight End
8
Tight End Tackle Guard

O 1
Quarterback
Holes (the gaps between two players) are numbered.
The right are even, the left are odd.

O O O 2 3 4
Running Back Running Back Running Back
The Backs Are also numbered.
 Play Names
The holes and backs are numbered to
make it easier to remember plays.
For Example, a 32 Dive is the 3 back,
going through the 2 hole
What is the Dive part?
Well get more into that a bit later, it is more
information on what type of blocking and running
techniques are happening. Dive blocking is
blocking the man over you. Power blocking
involves 2 player blocking the same defender.
Putting it all together The lines indicate the players path
The dotted line is the player who will
be handed the ball
The angled lines at the end show which
way to push your opponent.
Remember, your head stays on the side
of your opponent that is closest to the
path of the ball.

Source: 2009_3-4_Grade_Playbook.pdf