How to call football plays
You do not need a playbook of hundreds. You need to know what each kind of play is for.
Start with down and distance
On first down you have room to try anything. On second and short, a run is safe. On third and long you must pass, and the defense knows it. On fourth down the decision is bigger than the play; see the fourth-down guide.
What each play family is for
- Runs. Steady gains and the clock. Good when you need a yard or two, or when you are ahead. Weak against a loaded box.
- Quick game. Short throws that come out fast. They beat the pass rush and blitzes, and they are a safe way to pick up a few yards.
- Dropbacks. The quarterback sets up and throws downfield. More time, more risk of a sack.
- Play action. Looks like a run. Best when the defense is playing the run.
- Screens. Short throws with blockers in front. A good answer to a blitz or a hard pass rush.
- Deep shots. Big gains, low completion odds. Use them when you need chunk yardage, not as a default.
Read the defense
The defense shows a front (how many players near the line) and a coverage (how the back end is set). More men near the line favor passes. Two safeties deep favor runs and short throws. A blitz favors quick passes and screens.
Think in decisions, not results
A good call can fail. The way to improve is to ask whether the play suited the situation, not whether it worked. That is how Sideline grades you.
Sideline: call the plays
Pick formations and plays against a real defensive look, then read why each call graded the way it did.
Play SidelineMore: two-minute drill strategy and the football play calling game. Sideline is an unofficial fan game, not affiliated with the NFL or any team.
Questions
What does a play caller do?
A play caller chooses the formation and the play for each snap, usually the offensive coordinator or head coach. They look at down, distance, score, clock and what the defense is showing.
What play should I call on 3rd and long?
Usually a pass that gets past the sticks: dropbacks, play action or deep routes. Running plays rarely gain enough, though a draw can work when the defense drops deep.
What is play action?
A pass that starts like a run. It works best when the defense fears the run and the linebackers step up.
What is a screen pass?
A short pass behind the line with blockers set up in front. It is a counter to heavy pass rush.
Where can I practice play calling?
Sideline is a free browser game where you choose formations and plays and see how each call changes your chance of winning.