Game Jargon Definition: “Quarterbacking”
quarterbacking (noun) - quar · ter · back · ing /ˈkwôrdərˌbakiNG/
Within the context of tabletop gaming, when one player in the group essentially takes over the tactical and strategic decisions for the other players, that’s quarterbacking. Because everyone else’s turn is directed by the quarterback, the quarterback effectively becomes the only one actually playing the game, leaving the other players to merely serve as appendages—arms, hands, and feet carrying out instructions.
Typically, the quarterback is the person who has the most experience with the game being played, or someone who is accustomed to taking the lead in group situations. Common traits of a quarterback include: (1) insisting their way is the best; (2) being defensive when other players ask them to explain themselves; or (3) getting upset when a player does something on their own other than what the quarterback has told them to do. Quarterbacking behavior tends to prevent individual players, especially less experienced players, from having their own agency and learning from their own mistakes.
Keep in mind that quarterbacking is not the same as having a discussion among players, especially players on the same team or in a cooperative game. It’s also different from coaching a relatively new player who seems stuck or is asking for feedback, advice, or support.
There is a lot of discussion in the game community as to whether quarterbacking is the fault of a game’s design, or the fault of the players who engage in quarterbacking behavior. In reality, it is probably a combination of the two. Even the most elegant board game design is not going to be able to entirely eliminate quarterbacking if there is a player who is intent on doing so. Thus, it is on the board game group to discourage quarterbacking behavior if it is considered to be undesirable.
To minimize quarterbacking, consider adopting a table rule that no one is allowed to discuss strategy during the game with any other player—or that no player is allowed to give advice to any other player unless said player specifically asked for it. And everyone should remember: losing a game is acceptable!
