American Football Playing Positions: Explicated

“Gridiron football,” another name for American football, is one of the most well-liked sports worldwide. NFL games that are televised draw viewership that occasionally surpasses 100 million viewers. It can feel like you’re missing out on something if you don’t follow the NFL or watch big events like the Super Bowl, because of all the excitement and attention the sport gets in the US!  

It can be perplexing to see American football’s hectic and violent action for the first time, with its flurry of activity, collisions, and commercial interruptions. Gaining some prior knowledge before viewing can undoubtedly improve your understanding of the game and the tactics used.

This blog post will outline the primary responsibilities and goals of players in the American football playing positions, and whether you’re considering watching the upcoming Super Bowl or getting your gear and trying out the sport at your neighborhood club. 

American football playing positions that are offensive

In American football, offensive players are trying to score points, just like attacking players and forwards in Association football. To score a touchdown, an offensive player’s main goal is to move the ball closer to the opposing team’s end zone. 

Because an offensive team has a bewildering number of jobs and responsibilities, we have prepared the table below, which provides a brief overview of the roles and their primary responsibilities and characteristics:

Running Backs usually consist of Fullbacks (FB) and Halfbacks (HB), Offensive Guards consist of Left Guard (LG) and Right Guard (RG) and Offensive Tackles consist of Left Tackle (LT) and Right Tackle (RT) are some of the American football playing positions names.

The attacking team has four chances, referred to as “downs” or “plays,” to get 10 yards in total toward the opposing side’s end zone. This is a crucial idea in the game. The opposition gains possession of the ball if they are unable to reach the 10-yard mark.

Eleven players make up the offensive players, sometimes known as the “offensive team.” Only these eleven offensive players are on the field when the team has the ball, in contrast to association football and rugby, and another eleven defensive players come on when the team loses possession. 

There are two main groups into which the offensive team falls: 

• The five offensive linemen
• The six backs & receivers.

While the backs and receivers try to move the ball closer to the enemy team’s end zone, the linemen’s primary responsibility is to protect their quarterback and block players from the opposing team. 

Backs & Receivers 

Quarterback (QB)

Leading the club’s offense, the quarterback is arguably the most crucial player on the team. During the majority of plays, the quarterback will have the ball and must make crucial choices regarding whether to run the ball themself or throw it to a particular player. The quarterback completes nearly every forward pass to a receiver. 

To complete a pass swiftly, the quarterback must know the offensive team’s positioning on the field as well as their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, they have to pay attention to the clock because it can determine which offensive play should be made.

Making offensive play decisions strategically, carrying out those plays, coordinating with the team, preventing turnovers, and leading the offense are all part of the responsibilities.

Famous Quarterbacks – Drew Brees, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Montana, Tom Brady

Running Back (RB) 

Among the American football playing positions, carrying the ball after a “handoff”—a pass that is passed straight from one player to another from a short distance—from the quarterback is the main goal of a running back. Standing next to or behind the quarterback, the offensive running back initiates plays. A running back, one of the most thrilling positions to play or watch on the field, will try to break tackles, locate gaps in the opposition’s defense, and gain ground or score a touchdown. 

It is commonly known as a “running play” when the ball is sent to a running back. A talented and quick running back can provide a team with a dual threat that keeps the opposition guessing, even though “passing plays” are more prevalent in contemporary NFL games.

To dodge and break through the opponent’s defense, running backs require a combination of strength, speed, and agility.

Running backs can occasionally be divided into two different positions: halfbacks (HB) and fullbacks (FB).

At the start of every play, fullbacks (FB), who are often bigger than halfbacks, are positioned just ahead of them. Protecting the faster and more nimble halfback from opponents’ attempts to block and tackle them is frequently the fullback’s job.

In addition to being quicker and more adept at dodging tackles and sprinting into space than the bulkier fullback, halfbacks (HB) are more likely to receive the ball from the quarterback.

Duties – to block the opposition players on specific passing plays, run with the ball and make progress towards the opponent’s end zone, accept handoffs (short passes) from the quarterback, and act as a decoy on passing plays.

Famous Running Backs – Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Adrian Peterson, Josh Jacobs

Wide Receiver (WR)

In the American football playing positions, during offensive plays, a wide receiver’s primary responsibility is to catch a quarterback’s pass and run with the ball. A very high degree of athleticism is necessary for wide receivers, with speed, agility, and acceleration being some of the most crucial characteristics. A wide receiver who is tall has a big advantage over the competition when it comes to catching the ball at height. Like wingers in rugby or football, wide receivers take up positions close to the sidelines on the field. The offensive team typically has two wide receivers on the field at any given moment. Teams may, however, employ up to five wide receivers for specific plays.  

Wide receivers usually follow a set route or path toward the opposing team’s end zone, depending on the play. The quarterback can target them with a pass more easily as a result.

When the ball is sent to the running back during a running play, the wide receiver’s job is to block defending players so the running back may attack and run through.

A wide receiver who lines up behind the offensive line at the start of the play is frequently referred to as a “flanker,” whereas a wide receiver who is positioned between the offensive line and the outermost receiver is dubbed a “slot receiver.” 

Responsibilities in these American football playing positions include sprinting with the ball to gain distance towards the opposing team’s end zone, blocking defensive players during running plays, and collecting passes from the quarterback while under pressure from the opposing team.

Famous Wide Receivers – Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison, Terrell Owens, Justin Jefferson

Tight End (TE)

Tight ends must catch passes from the quarterback and block opposing team defenders, particularly during running plays. They must be athletic enough to move into offensive positions and catch passes, as well as strong enough to block. The size of tight ends usually lies between that of wide receivers and offensive linemen. When the team is attempting to go a few yards closer to the opposing team’s end zone, they frequently catch passes in the middle of the field. 

Among their duties are receiving the quarterback’s short throws, shielding the quarterback from the players on the opposing team, and blocking players from the opposing team during running plays. 

Famous Tight Ends – Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez

Offensive Linemen

Center (C) 

According to the American football playing positions, the center is an offensive lineman. Known as “the snap,” the center is the player who initiates a play by passing the ball between his legs. Centers usually switch to blocking responsibilities after the snap.

Like the quarterback, the center frequently has a significant influence on communication and occasionally decision-making when it comes to defensive alignments and counterstrategies.

Among their duties are guarding the quarterback, informing other lines of plays and strategy, and passing or “snapping” the ball to the quarterback at the start of each play or down. 

Famous Centers – Jim Otto, Dwight Stephenson, Jim Langer

Offensive Guard (OG)

On the field, there are usually two offensive guards. Their main responsibility is to keep the other team’s defensive players from making tackles and allowing their teammates to gain ground and score touchdowns.

To disrupt a defensive player’s position or prevent them from making a tackle, offensive guards may also “pull” on some plays, which entails running behind the other defensive lineman and then ahead of the running back.

Offensive guards typically take up American football playing positions on either side of the center at the start of play. Usually, they are big, strong, and capable players. To make blocks and clear space, they must, however, also be able to run faster than their teammates. Because of this, Offensive Guards are typically the most athletic of all the Offensive Line players, even though they frequently weigh over 250 pounds (17 stone & 12 pounds / 113 kilograms). 

Left Guard (LG): Usually on the blind side of a right-handed quarterback in American football playing positions, the LG is positioned to the left of the center. Preventing defensive players from approaching or tackling the quarterback is their primary responsibility.

Right Guard (RG): To provide the running back room to go into and gain ground towards the other team’s end zone, the right guard’s (RG) main responsibility is to “run block” by interacting with and hitting defensive players.

Blocking defensive players, defending the quarterback, and creating lanes for running backs to run through are among their duties.

Famous Offensive Guards – Steve Hutchinson, Larry Allen, Gene Upshaw, John Hannah

Offensive Tackle (OT)

Like other offensive linemen in American football playing positions names, an offensive tackle’s main objective is to block opponents’ players to keep the quarterback and running backs safe. At the beginning of every play, they form a line on the offensive guards’ left and right. Offensive tackles are frequently the biggest and heaviest players on the team, much like offensive guards.

Offensive tackles need to be strong and agile enough to shift swiftly from side to side in order to block any players from the opposing team who could try to close in and intercept the quarterback’s passes. 

The creation of running back routes is another duty of offensive tackles. The running back can move to the outside and sprint close to the sideline if they can block or “hook” the defensive end of the other team.

The majority of NFL offensive linemen are over 6 feet tall and weigh over 300 pounds (21 stone and 6 lbs, or 136 kg). After retirement, they frequently lose a lot of weight—maintaining a weight of 300 pounds is difficult!

The offensive team typically consists of two offensive tackles: the left tackle and the right tackle.

Positioned on the far left of the offensive line, the left tackle’s primary responsibility is to shield the quarterback from defenders who try to “rush,” pressure, and tackle him. The left tackle’s job is to shield the quarterback from players who try to attack his or her weakest side because most right-handed quarterbacks have their blindside to the left.

The offensive line’s far right is where the right tackle (RT) is positioned. Since the quarterback typically uses his or her right arm to make passes, the right tackle’s primary responsibility is to push defensive players aside, creating space for offensive players to run through.

As the American football playing positions’ names suggest, they must keep the other team’s defenders away from the quarterback’s blind side and allow running backs to take advantage of the space they create by blocking their players.

Famous Offensive Tackles—Forrest Gregg, Anthony Munoz, Ron Mix, Lou Creekmur

Defensive Positions in American Football

Similar to defenders in association football, the defensive players’ primary responsibility is to keep the opposition from moving toward their end zone and scoring points. They are frequently referred to as the “defensive team.”

The table below summarizes each player’s function and the qualities needed to play in each American football playing positions at the highest level of the defensive squad to make it easier to understand:

American football differs from association football in that the offensive and defensive teams are never on the field simultaneously, even though both teams have eleven men on the field at once.

The three primary American football playing positions names and subcategories of the defensive squad are safeties, linebackers, and defensive linemen.

The Defensive Linemen

The defensive line is usually made up of four players, including defensive linemen. With their hands on the ground, the players will form a line near the offensive line, prepared to launch an attack on the other team. Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles, and Nose Tackles (NT) are the three positions occupied by defensive linemen. 

Defensive Ends (DE)

At the start of every play, the defensive ends take up positions at the left and right ends of the defensive line. Closing down and tackling the running back or quarterback is their main duty. To stop forward passes, defensive ends must be able to move quickly and with strength to get to the opposing team’s quarterback. To tackle the running back on running plays, they must also possess the necessary strength and agility.

Responsibilities include tackling or “sacking” the quarterback, closing down or “rushing” the quarterback, and preventing running backs from gaining ground near the sidelines.

Famous Defensive Ends—Jared Allen, Bruce Smith, Deacon Jones, Reggie White

Defensive Tackles (DT)

Among the other American football playing positions names, the two players on the inside/center of the defensive line are known as defensive tackles. In order to keep the offensive team from closing down or tackling a running back or quarterback, they will frequently have to fend off “double team blocks,” in which two offensive players attempt to block a single defensive tackle.

When a double-team block is attempted, defensive tackles must utilize their hands and arms to block it. Defensive tackles must therefore possess the strength, aggression, and durability necessary to engage in head-on collisions with opposing players.

Responsibilities include closing down, fighting off double-team blocks, stopping running plays down the center of the field, and applying pressure to the offensive line.

Famous Defensive Tackles – Brandon Williams, Alan Page, Warren Sapp, Bob Lilly 

Nose Tackle (NT)

The defensive linemen are positioned in the center of the nose tackle. The nose tackle is an essential component of defensive schemes and is usually included in a 3-4 defensive scheme, which consists of three linemen and four linebackers, though they may not be present in all defensive formations.

The Nose Tackle, who is regarded as one of the hardest (and most insane) American football playing positions to play in American football, is frequently struck from all directions as the other team attempts to neutralize and remove them from the action.

The nose tackle, who frequently serves as the first line of defense against the offensive plays of the opposition, is essential to blocking the offense. Preventing running runs down the center of the field and tackling or applying pressure to the offensive team’s quarterback are their main duties.

Providing the first line of defense and stopping rushing plays down the middle of the field are among the responsibilities.

Famous Nose Tackles – Jim Burt, Fred Smerlas, Ted Washington, Dontari Poe

Linebackers

This American football playing positions names refer to begin each play by lining up right behind the defensive line, as the name implies. Their duties include trying to penetrate the offensive line while tackling and blocking running backs. To take on the offensive line, linebackers must possess the strength, agility, and speed necessary.

As the defensive team’s leader, seasoned linebackers—typically the middle linebacker—are frequently in charge of calling and planning defensive plays.

Two outside linebackers and one inside/middle linebacker make up the position when a defensive team employs three linebackers.

Outside Linebackers (OLB)

Most defensive teams will use two outside linebackers when playing with three linebackers. The outside linebackers will aim to run through and penetrate the offensive line and disrupt or tackle the quarterback. To compel running backs to cut inside and attack in the middle of the field, they must also attempt to stop any runs from going down the sidelines.

Since their primary objective is to rush down and tackle the quarterback to stop or disrupt a throw, outside linebackers are often a little taller and thinner than inside linebackers.

Responsibilities in this American football playing positions include containing the outside of the field, forcing running backs to attack the center, and disrupting or “rushing” the quarterback.

Famous outside linebackers—Derrick Thomas, Jack Ham, Bobby Bell, and Lawrence Taylor.

Inside or Middle Linebacker (ILB/MLB)

When a team uses three linebackers, the inside/middle linebacker is positioned in the center of the defensive formation and tries to intercept or cover passes down the middle of the field to stop offensive or attacking runs.

Because they are more likely to tackle running backs who are moving quickly, inside or middle linebackers are often larger than outside linebackers.

Among their duties are to intercept, minimize the space available for deep passes, and make tackles on running backs who breach the defensive line.

Famous Inside / Middle Linebackers – Ray Nitschke, Luke Kuechly, Dick Butkus, Ray Lewis.

Defensive Backs

Cornerbacks and safeties are grouped together under the phrase “defensive backs.” Typically, three or four defensive backs are on the field at once. 

Cornerbacks (CB)

As the American football playing positions names suggest, cornerbacks often line up across from the wide receiver on the other team. The cornerback’s primary objective in these situations is to protect the wide receiver and keep them from collecting a ball from their quarterback.

By intercepting passes or causing a fumble with a forceful tackle, cornerbacks force turnovers and are occasionally called upon to tackle running backs.

Guarding wide receivers, making interceptions, and causing fumbles with forceful tackles are among the duties.

Famous Cornerbacks – Darrell Green, Ronnie Lott, Mel Blount, Dick Lane

Safeties

The last line of defense is safety. On a normal team, the safeties are really divided into two roles: the strong safety (SS) and the free safety (FS).

Safeties often stand closest to their end zone and are positioned deeper than any other defensive player. Safeties must be swift and able to communicate with the rest of their team in a timely and efficient manner.

Being on the “strong side” of the field is how strong safety (SS) positions position themselves. The opposing team’s tight end lines up on the lateral side of the field, which is the strong side. To tackle running backs who are sprinting at full speed, strong safeties must be large and powerful. 

Responsibility – Providing the final line of defense and tackling offensive team running backs and players are among their duties.

Famous Strong Safeties—John Lynch, Dennis Smith, Ken Houston, Troy Polamalu

The “weak side” of the field, or the side without a tight end, is where the free safety (FS) will set up shop. Because they are more concerned with interfering with the opposition’s passing game, the free safety will typically be lighter and faster than the strong safety.

The last line of defense’s duties include reading and forecasting the quarterback’s decisions, intercepting, and interfering with the offensive team’s passing game. 

Famous Free Safeties—Yale Lary, Paul Krause, Ed Reed, and Ronnie Lott.

Special Team Positions

During kicking plays, players from special teams are summoned onto the field. Players can participate on both the offensive and defensive teams in addition to the special team. Nonetheless, several specialized roles and players with certain abilities are exclusively used in particular plays.

The roles and necessary characteristics of players in the special team are displayed in the table below:

The players and positions on the special team are as follows, as indicated in the table:

Kicker/Placekicker (K/PK): After a touchdown, the man in charge of kicking field goals and carrying out the kicks for attempted extra points is known as the Kicker or Placekicker. Although some teams have two place kickers—one for field goals and PATs (Points After Touchdowns) and another for kickoffs—the kicker will typically also handle kickoffs.

A player who is called into action in this American football playing positions names has to return kickoffs and punts is known as a return specialist (RS). Catching a kickoff or punt and running as far as you can with the ball toward the opponent’s end zone is the return specialist’s primary objective. Some teams will have players specifically designated to return kickoffs or punts, while others will have a return specialist to catch and return both kickoffs and punts.

The kick returner (KR) is a particular kind of return specialist who solely returns kickoffs. They are in charge of catching the kickoffs from the other team and returning them to their end zone and side of the field. 

Punt Returner (PR): Usually on fourth down, the PR’s job is to catch the ball after the opposition team has punted (drop-kicked) it. The punt returner has three options: attempt to catch the punt, call for a “fair catch,” or let the ball hit the ground, in which case it will be transferred to the end zone of the returning team for a “touchback.” 

Punter (P): To start their first offensive play as close to their end zone as possible, a team that is on fourth down and unlikely to get the 10 yards necessary to keep the other team from obtaining the ball will probably punt or kick the ball to the other team. In this case, the punter will be summoned onto the field of play to kick the ball into the opposition team’s half of the field as precisely and as far as possible. 

Long Snapper (LS): The long snapper delivers the ball back to the punter by “snapping” it between his or her legs.

The long snapper will deliver the ball to the holder (H), who will catch it and keep it there for the Kicker Placekicker. Typically, the holder will stand seven to eight yards behind the offensive line.

The man who goes downfield as fast as he can to tackle whoever receives or gets possession of the ball after it is thrown downfield following a kickoff is known as the gunner (G). 

Often referred to as the “Upback,” the personal protector (PP) serves as the punter’s last line of defense. They may occasionally, although infrequently, be given “the snap” to run or pass the ball rather than kick it in place of the punter.