Can Quarterbacks Run With the Football?

Dec 22, 2023

2 min read

Updated: 7 hours ago

Quarterbacks may carry the ball, gain yards and score rushing touchdowns. The position is not restricted to passing or handing off. A team can call a quarterback run or allow the passer to scramble when a passing play breaks down.

Part of Football 101. Explore the guide to choose your next topic.

Silhouette of a quarterback holding a football against the sunset.

Once running, the quarterback generally follows the same runner rules as other ball carriers, with protections for giving up and other specified situations. The position does not make every tackle illegal.

Designed run or scramble?

A quarterback sneak attacks a short distance behind the interior line. A draw begins with a passing appearance before becoming a run. Power and counter designs can add pullers or lead blockers.

On a zone read, the quarterback reads a designated defender to decide whether to hand off or keep. A scramble begins as a passing play and becomes an attempt to escape or advance. A rollout or bootleg can also offer passing and running possibilities without being a designed run from the start.

The defense may assign a quarterback spy or emphasize rush lane discipline to contain that threat.

Can the quarterback still pass?

A forward pass must satisfy the NFL’s behind the line restrictions and other passing rules. If the runner and ball have crossed beyond the line during the down, retreating behind it does not restore the right to throw a forward pass.

A backward pass is a different action and can remain legal downfield, but it carries live ball risk if not secured. A forward pitch does not become legal merely because the quarterback calls it a lateral.

Giving up and sack scoring

A quarterback can give up by sliding. The ball is spotted where the player gives up under the rule, not at the end of a long skid. Defenders must avoid prohibited late contact, but a very late slide does not guarantee every unavoidable contact will be penalized.

A designed run stopped behind the line is normally recorded as a rushing loss. A passing attempt ending at or behind the statistical line can be a sack. Being a quarterback in the pocket is not sufficient by itself to decide the statistic.

Running adds an offensive threat and can create useful numbers or space. It also exposes the ball carrier to contact and requires sound decisions about the score, clock and available yards.