Which player is primarily responsible for calling the protection adjustments at the line of scrimmage?

• A. The center.
• B. The running back.
• C. The wide receiver.
• D. The referee.

Answer: (A)

Protection calls at the line of scrimmage are set by the center. The center reads the defensive front, designates who each lineman will block, and may call out the protection direction and identify the mike linebacker so everyone knows their assignment before the snap. The quarterback can confirm or adjust the call, but the center is the primary communicator to the line. The running back might help by recognizing a blitz and picking up a defender, but they don’t originate the protection call. Wide receivers aren’t involved in protection communication, and the referee isn’t part of the offensive line’s blocking adjustments. So the center is the player primarily responsible for calling protection adjustments.