When a football team goes on offense, the goal is to score touchdowns. If it was that simple, then defensive geniuses like Bill Belicheck, Dick Lebeau and Rex Ryan would be unemployed. These men specialize in confusing and befuddling an offense with exotic blitzes, suffocating zones involving multiple substitutions and shifts in personnel. For the casual fan, here are a few basic offensive plays to learn when watching football.

Run plays:

"Power O and Power I" are offensive sets when a running back follows blockers upfield. These plays attack a defense's center; their strongest point. During the first three quarters, a "Power" may be called twenty or so times for two or three yards average gains. However, if the offensive line outweighs a defensive line, by fourth quarter these two and three yard runs become four to six yard or more runs. "Homeruns" or runs that take it to endzone come from Power plays.

Reverse and double reverses pepper a defense's perimeter. A quarterback takes a snap from center and hands it off to a receiver or "speed" back in motion. This action occurs in the backfield. After the exchange, offensive tackles (personnel) advance downfield and block. Following a cleared path, a runner uses their speed and agility to outrun and outmaneuver pursuing defenders. A double reverse employs a quarterback and a receiver to hand the ball to another receiver in motion. These plays are to keep the opponent off-balance. Opponents who loves imploying blitzes to sack quarterbacks are prone to sweeps and reverses.

Pass plays:

Play-action pass is an acting job. Play-action is when an offense gives an appearance of a run play. Usually, one or two tight ends, a fullback, a running back and a receiver signal run. The extra tight end is there to run-block. A quarterback fakes the handoff to his running back. A receiver sprints downfield. This play requires several seconds to develop and constant protection. When the quarterback is provided a "pocket" to scan the field, they heave the ball. Play-action passes are big plays. What classifies a "big play" is a play that goes for twenty yards or more. Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb and Carson Palmer are the best at play-action passes because their teams have productive running offenses.

The bomb:

Watch vintage Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. A quarterback and a wide receiver plan this to break a defense's will. It is the ultimate homerun play. The offensive set has no running back in the backfield. This set up provides maximum protection. A quarterback rears back and throws to his fastest, biggest and most physical receiver. Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez (prototype tight ends) are players who receive bomb passes. It takes one play to score. A touchdown can happen in seconds. You need that one pass to get into field-goal range in overtime. The bomb is the way to go.

Now, go out there and talk football like John Madden!

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