On the field at the beginning of a play are two teams of 12 (unlike 11 in American football). The team in possession of the ball is the <answer>offence</answer> and the team defending is referred to as the defence. Play begins with a backwards pass through the legs (the snap) by a member of the offensive team, to another member of the offensive team. This is usually the quarterback or punter, but a "direct snap" to a running back is also not uncommon. If the quarterback or punter receives the ball, he may then do any of the following:
What is the term for the team who begins a play with control of the ball?
offence