What Are the Quarterback's Responsibilities in a Game?

One of the nicknames that a quarterback is given is "field general," which is appropriate because he is his team’s acknowledged leader on the field when they have the ball. Every play is directed by the quarterback and how good, or how bad, the quarterback plays has a direct effect on the game's outcome. A quarterback's responsibilities during a game extend beyond the football field as well.

  1. Lead the Passing Game

    • The quarterback's main responsibility is to lead his team's passing game. The quarterback is either given the specific play or a set of plays to choose from by the coaching staff — unless he is a veteran quarterback; then he may be calling his own plays. He then goes up to the line and sets up the play for the offense through signal calling. After the ball is snapped, it is the quarterback's responsibility, when he has called a passing play, to get the football to one of his receivers and keep the drive alive with the ultimate goal of scoring touchdowns. He must be able to read defenses well and make changes to the plays as warranted by the defensive team's alignment.

    Direct the Running Game

    • A quarterback touches the ball on nearly every offensive play (except kicking situations and direct snap calls, when the ball may go to another offensive player), and it is his job to get the ball to the running back when a running play is called. There are also times that he may himself need to carry the ball on a running play, whether as a designed play or a broken play, such as a fumbled snap or sack situation.

    Be a Team Cheerleader on the Sidelines

    • The quarterback must also show leadership abilities on the sidelines. When not studying plays and discussing possible scenarios with the coaching staff, he should be keeping his fellow offensive players fired up about playing, especially if their team is losing. He should also be cheering on his team when they are playing defense as a show of team spirit.

    Being the Team's Locker Room Leader

    • Being a team leader goes beyond the field of play, and the quarterback should show leadership qualities in the locker room and practice field as well. The quarterback should be able to keep his players’ minds on the game and corroborate the statements and directives of the coaching staff. At the professional and collegiate level, the quarterback should also be a team leader when it comes to the public as well, answering questions from the press in a professional manner and presenting himself as the face of the team.