How a play starts
The line, the hike, being set.
The ball sits on the line of scrimmage. Nobody on either team crosses it before the hike.
The QB stands at the ball and hikes it to herself. The play starts the moment the ball moves.
- Before the hike, every player on offense stands still for one second. That is being set.
- The QB can send one player in motion before the hike: sideways or back, never toward the line.
- In most leagues the QB cannot run past the line with the ball. She throws it or makes a handoff.
Rules differ by league. Some leagues have a center who snaps the ball. Check yours before the first game.
Words in this lesson
- Line of scrimmage
- The line where the ball sits before the hike. Nobody crosses it until the ball moves.
- QB (quarterback)
- The player who starts every play: she hikes the ball to herself, then throws it or hands it off. In most flag leagues the QB cannot run past the line with the ball.
- Handoff
- The QB hands the ball to a runner instead of throwing it. It happens behind the line.
Put it to work at practiceOpen the playbook