Football plays today have become complex. However, some of the more commonly used plays include the following.
| Counter | Any play in which the action goes in one direction and the ball carrier goes in another direction. |
| Dive | A split-T power play in which the quarterback runs parallel to the line of scrimmage and gives the ball to a back. The runner will then follow a tackle who is blocking ahead of him. |
| Drop-Back | A play in which the quarterback retreats into a protective pocket of blockers to throw a pass. |
| Off-Tackle | A running play in which the defensive end is blocked toward a sideline and the defensive tackle is blocked away from the sideline, thus creating a hole for the runner. |
| Option | A variation of the dive play. The quarterback can keep the ball, hand off the ball to a back, or pass to a receiver. |
| Rollout | A passing play in which the quarterback retreats a bit from the line of scrimmage and runs toward the sideline before throwing the ball. |
| Screen | A pass play in which the receiver is behind a screen of blockers at or near the line of scrimmage. |
| Sneak | Usually called when a team needs only a few yards to make a down. The quarterback keeps the ball and goes straight ahead, behind the blocking of the center and the guards. |
| Sweep | A running play around either end. |
| Trap | A play in which a defensive lineman is allowed into the backfield and then is blocked from the side. The ball carrier runs into the hole left by the trapped lineman. |
