Football 101: Position Basics

This is an introduction to positions, essentially what to call the guy that throws/runs/catches/tackles and more importantly; what he does. Instead of listing positions in one long list, I'm going to break these positions into 3 main groups. This makes it easier in that you can identify each group on the field of play, and then look into individual positions once being able to recognise the position groups. It is also important to note that because each side of the ball is vastly different, most of the time players play only one side of the ball.


Before jumping straight into the positions, there are a multitude of rules and terminology surrounding how football is played that are necessary to understand the individual role of each player;

• Blocking - Players on both sides of the ball are allowed to shove and obstruct the opposition, this is known as blocking. It does not include holding onto them.
• Backfield - The portion of field behind the line of scrimmage, where the ball is moved in order to start each play.
• Running play - Specifically a play that doesn't involve a forward pass, but instead a hand-off or backwards pass with more players in position to block the defense.
• Passing play - Specifically a play that involves a forward pass, most typically directly after the snap although occasionally a second pass is made backwards before the forward pass.

Offense:

A typical offensive formation (with line of scrimmage at the top).

"Skill Positions"

The so-called skill positions are the positions which involve the players that have possession of the football during plays. Presenting them as skill positions implies that other positions do not require skill, but that is the way they are generally referenced so I couldn't stray too far from the status quo.

• Quarterback (QB) - This is the player that is effectively in charge of the offense on the field. He is the player that receives the snap, and is typically the player that makes the forward passes.
• Running Back - The player(s) that line up behind or next to the QB. Typically they receive the back passes from the QB, although are involved in the forward pass game too.
• Wide Receiver - These players line up on the line of scrimmage, outside the offensive line. Their primary use is as runners to catch a forward pass, although they also block the opposition on running plays.
• Tight End - An extension of the offensive line, with the same skillset as a wide receiver. These players have a physique much like the tall and heavy linemen but are of a leaner build, giving them speed more comparable to the wide receivers.

Offensive Line

The Offensive Line is home to the largest and strongest players on the football field. These players are tasked with protecting the QB when he is looking for a forward pass, and knocking the defense backwards when the Running Back is given the ball. There are 5 players in the offensive line, a Centre (who snaps the ball) with two Guards either side of him and two Tackles outside the Guards.

Defense:

A Typical Defensive formation (line of scrimmage at the bottom)

Defensive Line

The Defensive Line plays in direct opposition to the Offensive Line, and are most frequently tasked with getting unblocked and breaking into the backfield to tackle the QB or running backs. Within the defensive line there are Defensive Tackles and Defensive Ends.

Linebackers

Linebackers are the second level of defence. They are often used to prevent large yardage gains on running plays, and to cover short yardage gains from a forward pass. There are two types of linebacker; the inside linebacker (who is a stronger player) and the outside linebacker (who is a speed player).

Defensive Backs

Defensive Backs are most often concerned with deep forward passes (10 yards or more). They are susceptible to shorter passes and due to their smaller stature running plays that move to the edge of the field. Defensive backs come in two categories; cornerbacks and safeties.
Cornerbacks cover the wide receivers on almost every play.
Safeties are in place as a last resort (sort of like a goalkeeper, or fullback in rugby). They have more freedom to roam the field than other players, but large gains (20 yards or more) are often pinned on them not being in the correct position.

Special Teams:

Arguably the most important facet of a football game is the transition between offense and defense. This includes punting and field goal attempt. Special Teams can help a team dominate field position (and put up a few points as well). There are a select group of players who only play Special Teams positions, so here they are.

• Kicker - The placekicker on a football team. Responsible for field goal kicking and kickoffs.
• Punter - The open field kicker on the team. Responsible for coordinating 4th down special teams plays, and ensuring the biggest field position gain through kicking downfield.
• Kick Returner - These players are often the faster on a team. They gather the ball from a kickoff or punt and endeavour to move the ball back up the field to negate any gains from kicking downfield. They tend to be a lone back, with 10 blockers in front of them.
• Longsnapper & Holder - These players often play other positions on the field, but since there is such pressure on placekicking, an alternate centre is brought in for the sole purpose of field goal attempts. This allows the group of players to practice together much more frequently.