H - back An H - Back is an offensive position in American football . The H - back lines up similarly to a tight end , but is " set back " from the line of scrimmage , and is thus counted as one of the four " backs " in the offensive formation . The position was made notable in the NFL by the Washington Redskins under head coach Joe Gibbs , who ran a two tight end system . The position was named F - Back when used later in Norv Turner ' s offensive system . The name H - back can be confusing , because the H - back rarely carries the ball as running backs do ; instead , the H - back plays a position similar to a tight end . The name stems from the playbook notation in use at the time the position was developed . Under the system used by Joe Gibbs ( and indeed , by many teams then as now ) , the standard set of eligible ball carriers consisted of three receivers and three backs . The three receivers , the split end , tight end , and flanker , were labeled " X " , " Y " , and " Z " on play diagrams . The three backs , quarterback , halfback , and fullback , were labeled " Q " , " H " , and " F " . Gibbs ' innovation was to move one of the backs up to the line of scrimmage , to act as an extra tight end . At the time the system was developed , the best running back on the Redskins was John Riggins , a fullback . Since Riggins and quarterback Joe Theismann were vital to the team at the time , the lesser used halfback was removed and replaced with an extra tight end . The standard notation was retained , however , so this new tight end was still assigned the " H " symbol on play diagrams , hence the name " H - back " for the position . Like a flanker , the H - back was set back from the line of scrimmage , and the role was often played by an athletic tight end . The H - back often has to be versatile ; as a backfield member , they can be lined up to act as a lead blocker on running plays . However , the H - back also fills the roles of a traditional tight end , catching passes over the middle and pass blocking when needed . In the Redskins offensive system , the H - back is asked to block , pass protect , and run receiving routes from multiple sets . This compares to the standard tight end which was used primarily as an extra blocker on Washington offensive line . The H - back can line up in the backfield , on the line , or is put into motion . Because of the complexity of the position , a thorough knowledge of the offense is desirable in an H - back . The position , indeed the entire two Tight End offense , was created by Gibbs as a direct response to Lawrence Taylor , the New York Giants ' dominant linebacker . As Gibbs stated , " [ w ] e had to try in some way have a special game plan just for Lawrence Taylor . Now you didn ' t do that very often in this league but I think he ' s one person that we learned the lesson the hard way . We lost ball games . " Offensive formations that used the H - back are not commonly used in professional football today . The most recent examples of a professional football team employing the H - back are the Cleveland Browns from 2001 to 2004 under former head coach Butch Davis , and the Chicago Bears in 2010 under offensive coordinator Mike Martz , where Brandon Manumaleuna is featured in the role . Aaron Hernandez of the New England Patriots , while a nominal tight end , is often featured as an H - back / wide receiver when Rob Gronkowski is also in the game . Chris Cooley has also flourished in his role as an H - back in the current offense run by the Washington Redskins . Teams at high school and collegiate levels sometimes utilize H - back formations , but usually only if they have exceptional talent and depth at the tight end and fullback positions . For example , Brigham Young University is traditionally strong at the tight end position , and the Cougars frequently use H - back formations to put their most talented players on the field at one time . During the 1996 season , BYU used H - back formations almost every down to allow ample playing time for both Chad Lewis and Itula Mili . Even more recently , the Wisconsin Badgers have used the H - back position to great effect with Owen Daniels , Travis Beckum , Garrett Graham , and Lance Kendricks , all of whom have played in the NFL . The 2011 Houston Texans play two of these former Wisconsin Badger H - Backs , Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham , as tight ends and converted their former tight end James Casey ( Rice University ) to an H - Back . Additionally , the Oregon Ducks have been experimenting with dual H - back sets as recently as the 2011 BCS Championship game .