Positions in American Football

American football is a fast-paced and strategic sport in which every position on the field plays a key role in the team’s success. Understanding the roles and responsibilities of players at different positions helps you appreciate the complexity and depth of the game. In this article, we’ll look at the major positions in American football , including offense, defense, and special teams, and break down the tasks that players perform at each position. This introduction will help you better understand how the different positions interact with each other, and how each team’s strategy and tactics are shaped by their composition.

Attack

The attacking team is the team that has possession of the ball. Its main and primary goal is to advance the ball to the opponents’ scoring area to score points.

In this case, five linemen and backs participate in the attack. The task of the former is to block the opponent’s defenders. The task of the latter is to advance the ball through passes and runs. Linemen do not participate in the play, with the exception of the center.

The following positions of players in American football are standard for offense. Only their positions on the field may differ.

Offensive Linemen

They are on the attack line. Their task is to create all the conditions for scoring points.

Center

Starts the play by passing the ball behind the line of scrimmage. As the name of the position suggests, he is in the center of the line. Some teams resort to shifting the center. The defense is most often built around him, since he has the right to block the opponent’s players.

Offensive tackle

They are located on the edges of the line and protect the quarterback from opposing defenders and create space for running players. The left quarterback is played by the right quarterback, and the right quarterback is played by the left tackle. Physically developed, strong and very large players.

Offensive guard

They are located on the sides of the center and between the tackles. Their task also comes down to protecting the quarterback. In addition, they help in creating “holes” for the runner with the ball. In the latter case, the guards move down.

Backs and receivers

Six players occupying positions behind or on the sides of the attacking line.

Quarterback

The most important player on offense, receiving the ball from the center, i.e. shotgun. Most often acts according to the instructions received from the coach, but, depending on the situation, can make some changes to the combination. Positioned either directly behind the center or at some distance. After the shotgun, runs forward, passes or passes the ball. In the latter cases, only receivers and backs can be receivers.

Runningback

They are located behind the offensive line and receive the ball from the quarterback. After that, their task is to carry the ball as many yards as possible to the opponent’s defensive zone. There are schemes in which three running backs are involved. There are formations without them. Depending on the position, there is a tailback, who runs with the ball, a fullback, who opens the way for the running back by blocking the opponent’s defense, and a wingback, who stands behind the line of play.

Receiver

Unlike other positions, he runs without the ball. His task is to go through a certain, usually planned route without guarding and receive a pass. In passing combinations, he can be used to block players of the opposing team.

Tight end

They are located to the right and left of the tackles. Depending on the formation and scheme, they can either receive passes or set blocks for opponents. They are often used to protect the quarterback.

Protection

The defensive team is the group of players that does not have the ball, i.e. the one that should not allow the opponents (offense) to gain yards/points. However, there are no strict rules for building the defensive line.

The defense has no center, as the shotgun is only played on offense. There is also no quarterback.

Line of Defense

It is formed by four players who are on the defensive line, that is, in opposition to the offensive linemen.

Defensive tackle

The two players in this position are in the middle, either attacking the opposing quarterback or breaking through the offensive line to stop the runner with the ball.

Defensive end

Two players on each side of the defensive line. Their main job is to prevent the pass and the runner with the ball. The fastest of them is positioned on the side that is weak for the offensive quarterback. For example, for a right-handed player, this is the left side.

Linebackers

They are positioned behind the defensive line and must stop the running back, attack the quarterback and prevent the receivers from making any plays.

Middle linebacker

Essentially the opposite position to the quarterback and one of the central figures of the defense. The difference is that he runs the defense, not the offense. Usually acts according to the coach’s instructions, but very often makes adjustments during the play, quickly reacting to the formation of the offense.

He comes into play only when the offense breaks through the first line of defense. If the offense is passing, his job is to cover the receiver. Otherwise, he either blitzes or attacks the quarterback.

Outside linebacker

They can perform specific roles. Strongsides cover the offensive team’s tight ends and are responsible for stopping the running back, while outsiders stand where there is no tight end and attack the quarterback during a blitz. In normal formations, they are located on the left or right side and help the defense.

Defensive backs

Located near the sidelines, on the edge or behind the linebackers, these players provide pass protection and step into the game to prevent tight ends and receivers from getting the ball. They are the last line of defense against opposing players running with the ball.

Cornerback

There are usually two of them in a defensive back formation. They most often work to cover the receivers. To do this, they must either knock the ball down in the air or catch it. If the offensive team plays a run rather than a pass, they must either push the player with the ball out of the field themselves or help their other defenders.

Safety

There are usually two of these players. They are the ones behind all the defensive backs. They are the main assistants for the cornerbacks in performing their main tasks. At the same time, the strongest of the safeties is always located closer to the side where the offensive tight end is. At the same time, they are most actively involved in playing the offense through the pass. The fastest and most agile usually always works in tandem with the cornerback.

Nickelback

Present in some defensive combinations, taking the place of one of the linebackers. In this case, the team plays with five defenders. Formations with seven defensive players are also possible, but they are very rare.

Special teams

Players in this position come out during kicks and punts, but many take part in attack and attack, but there are also such positions in American football that are exclusively special teams.

Kicker

This is a special team player whose primary job is to kick the ball. These kicks can be either kick-offs, field goal attempts, or extra points after a touchdown. The kicker must have precision, strength, and steady nerves, as his actions can directly affect the outcome of the game.

Holder

His main job is to catch and hold the ball in place for the kicker to kick it for a field goal or extra point. The role of the holder is most often performed by a backup punter or quarterback.

Long snapper

An offensive lineman whose job it is to throw the ball back to the punter or holder, but over long distances. This is why this position is not combined with those who play the center position on an offensive team.

Panther

The player’s job in this role is to catch the ball sent by the long snapper in order to kick it, i.e. perform a punt. It is usually kicked on fourth down. This way, it is possible to take the opponent a considerable distance from the end zone.