Quarterback
![An example of quarterback positioning in an offensive formation](/Images/godic/202502/11/Football-Formation-QB.svg5034.png")
![Mike Quinn, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, throwing the football.](/Images/godic/202502/11/Mike_Quinn5034.JPG")
![Navy quarterback Craig Candeto pitches the ball while running an option-based offense.](/Images/godic/202502/11/US_Navy_031108-N-9593R-011_Navy_quarterback_Craig_Candeto_pitches_the_ball_out5034.jpg")
![An image of the single-wing formation, a popular formation and offensive scheme created in the early 1900s.[26] Like many early formations, the quarterback did not receive the ball from center, and instead served as a blocking back.[27] In modern football, the single-wing is only used as a primary offense by a small number of high school teams.[26]](/Images/godic/202502/11/Singlewingformation_vs55034.gif")
Quarterback (commonly abbreviated to QB) is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line. In modern American football, the quarterback is usually considered the leader of the offensive team, and is often responsible for calling the play in the huddle.