What it is

A quarterback is “under center” when he stands directly behind the center and takes the snap from his hands, with his hands resting under the center’s body.

In a game

From here the quarterback can turn and hand the ball off in one motion, so under-center plays suit power running and play-action passes. The cost is time: he needs a few extra steps to reach his passing spot.

More detail

Most teams in the modern game use both looks. Shotgun gives the passer a clearer view and a quicker release, while under center helps a runner get a fast, downhill start and makes a fake handoff look more real. A defense often reads the alignment as a hint about what is coming, so good offenses mix the two.

Animated diagram

1. The quarterback stands right behind the center, with his hands under the center’s body.
2. At the snap he takes the ball and turns, stepping back toward the running back.
3. He hands the ball off almost at once, so the runner can hit the line quickly.