Center (American football)

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Center (C) is a position in American football and Canadian football. The center is at the center of the offensive line, and it is the center who snaps the ball between his legs to the quarterback at the start of each play.

On most plays, the center will snap the ball directly to the quarterback's hands. In a shotgun formation, the center snaps the ball to the quarterback lined up several yards behind him. Before the snap, the center will often be responsible for making calls to adjust the blocking assignments of all the offensive linemen. After the snap, the center must block defensive players from reaching the ball carrier (on running plays) or the quarterback (on passing plays). On passing plays in particular, the center often must block blitzing defensive players. In special teams situations, the center is referred to as a "long snapper," who snaps the ball with two hands to a punter standing approximately 12-14 yards behind him, or to the holder for the placekicker, kneeling approximately 7 yards behind him. These long snappers are often players particularly talented at performing these snaps, and are not necessarily the same center used on other plays. In fact, professional football teams may carry a player on their roster for the sole or primary purpose of long snapping.

Centers are usually the smallest offensive linemen. They almost always are over 300 lbs (130kg) and over 6 feet (180cm) tall. They are an integral part of the offensive line and a primary protector of the quarterback after the snap. The center usually has to be the smartest person on the field next to the quarterback. This eliminates the stereotype of big, dumb, linemen. In fact, college offensive linemen often recieve more academic awards than any other position. The center will look at the defense when arriving at the line of scrimmage and by using "line calls" he will deliver the blocking assignment to the other linemen and the backfield. It is also the center's job to recognize blitzes and call out protection in order to have everyone blocked.