The Center Position

How do you like only playing defense?

Well that is what will happen if you can’t fill this position with one of your best linemen.
Ok, then I will put the biggest guy on the team at that position. If that is your reasoning, then you still will be on defense more than you should.

As a coach let’s think of what is the main purpose of your center? Some might say that it is
to be able to block the biggest, meanest, toughest nose guard on the defensive team.

Well if you thought that you would be wrong. How about, he should be able to call the
blocking assignments for the line. Sure, any 8 or nine year old could do that (right).

How about this one, he should be able to snap the ball up to the QB correctly on
every play. If you agree with that last statement then you are correct.

If the Center-Quarterback exchange doesn’t happen correctly, very seldom does
anything else that is good happen.

So your first priority as a coach when giving practice and instruction to your center
is the “exchange” between the Center and Quarterback.

This article is focused on the center position however let me state that the Quarterback
is also a partner in this exchange and must be coached everyday on this.

In future articles and videos on Coaching Football Secrets I will show you the proper
techniques and drills for this very important exchange.