Do You Have a Favorite Position?

Quarterback or Cornerback? Sound alike…BIG difference.  Learn the football player positions below!

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Defense: wants the ball, trying to keep the offense from scoring.

Offense: has the ball, trying to score.

There are 11 players from each team on the field. That’s 22 positions to keep straight during a game! But you CAN do it!

 

Lets start with OFFENSE.

Quarterback:

  • The Quarterback calls the plays and sets the plays in motion.
  • Usually the Quarterback is the leader and most visible member of the team.
  • The Quarterback will either pass the ball to a Receiver or hand the ball to a Running Back.

Offensive Line:

  • The Offensive Line sets up a protective wall against the Defense so that the Quarterback has time to make his move.
  • The Offensive Line also tries to open up holes for the Running Back to run through.

The Offensive Line consists of the

  • Center who hikes the ball to the Quarterback.
  • Guards on either side of the center to GUARD the middle.
  • Tackles on the outside to TACKLE anyone coming through the line.

Tight End:

  • Usually lines up on the Offensive Line but can also receive a pass from the Quarterback.

Wide Receiver:

  • This player lines up WIDE on the outside of the field, and RECEIVES the ball when the Quarterback throws it.
  • Wide Receivers are typically tall and fast.

Running Back:

  • This player lines up in the BACK of the field, and RUNS with the ball when it’s handed off by the Quarterback.

There are 2 types of Running Backs:

  • The Halfback (sometimes called Tailback) uses speed and agility to allude defensive players.
  • The Fullback uses power and strength to burst through the defensive players.

 

RECAP: The Quarterback, protected by the Offensive Line (the Center, Guards, and Tackles), can either pass to a Wide Receiver, pass to the Tight End, or hand the ball to a Running Back.

 

Alright, Half Time!  Not so bad right?

Now let’s move on to DEFENSE.

Here is the chart again for you to reference.

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Defensive Line:

  • The Defensive Line creates a wall to keep the Offense from moving the ball forward.
  • They must stop a Running Back carrying the ball, or get to the Quarterback before he passes the ball.
  • The Defensive Line consists of Defensive Tackles in the middle and Defensive Ends on the end.

Linebackers:  

  • These guys BACK up the Defensive LINE.
  • Middle Linebacker in the middle.
  • Outside Linebackers on the outside.
  • The Outside Linebackers have more speed to get to the Quarterback. When they go after the Quarterback full-speed, it’s known as The Blitz.

Defensive Backs, also known as The Secondary:

  • Defensive Backs are in the very BACK of the field.
  • They are responsible for covering passes and deep runs.

There are 2 types of Defensive Backs:

  • Cornerback covers a Wide Receiver and tries to intercept the ball.
  • Safety is the last line of defense. Sometimes this position can be further defined as Strong Safety (stronger) and Free Safety (faster). The Safety defends against deep passes and runs.

Other: 

  • Place Kicker: Kicks the ball when it’s held in place by another player or holder.  ex. Field Goals and Kickoffs
  • Punter: Must drop the ball himself and kick it away, usually performed on 4th Downs. (For an explanation of Downs, click here.)

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Extra Point:

  • The Defense can also score in Football. For instance, if the Cornerback breaks up the pass to a Wide Receiver and actually catches the ball himself, he can then run toward his own goal line. If he crosses into the End Zone, Touchdown!

 

Category: Football