Players by Position Players by Position You are here: Home / Terminology / The Basics / Players by Position Players by Position While watching football with the guys on the set of the College Football Studio Show, I asked one of the former Quarterbacks how he recognized the play on television, specifically how the offense was positioning the Tight End. I thought there would be an in-depth explanation, but his response was that he could tell from the player’s body type. And while I’m not going to pick up on this as well as someone who played the game and was around these guys all the time, I do think that there is an advantage to being a woman when it comes to using players’ bodies to help identify their position. The following is a description of the prototypical player at the offensive and defensive positions, including their skills and body types. Back to Top ^ Quarterback: 6’3, 225 lbs. The Quarterback is involved in almost every single play on offense and therefore needs to have an excellent understanding of the game as well as quick, intelligent decision-making skills. He has to be a leader. Some quarterbacks are more mobile than others. Mobility helps in the event the Pass Rush forces him out of the Pocket and he needs to run.

The prototypical QB has big well-defined biceps. Andrew Luck #12 (Sophomore at Stanford) 6’4, 235 lbs. Christian Ponder #7 (Senior at Florida State) 6’3, 227 lbs. Back to Top ^ Running Back: 6’1, 225 lbs. By definition, these players have to be great runners. It helps if they have good vision to see holes and lanes before they even open up. They can also make catches and serve as a receiving threat and should help block when not being used in the play. It’s important that they don’t have problems holding onto the ball (fumbles are a big concern). They key for Running Backs to find success is to patiently move to the hole and then burst through it. Having an ability to quickly change direction on the move can really make these players stand out. Mark Ingram #22 (Junior at Alabama) 5’10, 215 lbs. Jacquizz Rodgers #1 (Junior at Oregon State) 5’7, 188 lbs.

(Note that below Jacquizz is standing in front of his brother James #8 who is the same size but plays Wide Receiver, just to show that these are prototypical body types but not limiting or conclusive). Back to Top ^ Fullbacks: 6’0, 240 lbs. These are the stockiest of the players or at least should be as their strength and vision are more important than speed for their purpose in the running game. Like their body types, they are used for short yardage situations in both running and passing situations. Oftentimes, Running Backs rely on their Fullbacks to lead the way for them to run through the defense. The importance of a Fullback clearing a path for the runner is immeasurable. In fact, I personally incorporate a Fullback into my life in NYC just to get across the sidewalks. Sometimes when it’s really crowded, I will seek out a solid looking man to walk behind whose presence on the sidewalk automatically clears a path for me and helps me avoid getting knocked around by tourists who aren’t paying attention to where they’re walking.

Stanley Havili (Senior at USC) 6’1, 230 lbs, Owen Marecic #48 (Senior at Stanford) 6’1, 234 lbs. Back to Top ^ Wide Receiver: 6’3, 220 lbs. Speed is one of the most important qualities for these players. They also need to be agile and jump up and catch the ball. And they need good hands to hold onto it. These are the divas on the football field and the ones who probably look for the most attention. As a professional Wide Receiver pointed out, the reason they are like this may be due to the fact that they need to fight for the Quarterback’s attention to get the ball thrown to them on each play, while the other players, such as Quarterbacks and Running Backs are certain to touch the ball throughout the game on designated plays. AJ Green #8 (Junior at Georgia) 6’4, 207 lbs, Michael Floyd #3 (Junior at Notre Dame) 6’3, 220 lbs. Back to Top ^ Tight End: 6’6, 265 lbs. These players are the tallest receivers.

They aren’t as fast as the Wide Recivers or Running Backs though. They’re a little slower and larger and used often to block or occupy defenders. They get much fewer passes thrown to them during the game than the Wide Receivers. Kyle Rudolph #9 (Junior at Notre Dame) 6’6, 265 lbs. Luke Stocker #88 (Senior at Tennessee) 6’6, 253 lbs. Back to Top ^ Offensive Tackle: 6’7, 335 lbs. These guys are typically the largest (in terms of height and weight) on the Offensive Line and actually on the entire field. They need an initial punch at the line that disturbs defenders immediately. The best ones are large and strong but also mobile enough to get into the best blocking situations. Gabe Carimi #68 (Senior at Wisconsin) 6’7, 315 lbs. Lee Ziemba (Senior at Auburn) 6’8, 320 lbs. Matt Reynolds #70 (Junior at BYU) 6’6, 329 lbs. Back to Top ^ Center: 6’4, 310 lbs.

The Center is the captain of the line and needs to be a quick thinker. He snaps the ball on every play (usually to the Quarterback so that relationship is important) and has to be able to quickly deliver it at the same point every snap. They also serve as a great blocking force on the line. Mike Pouncey #55 (Senior at Florida) 6’4, 310 lbs. Tim Barnes #63 (Senior at Missouri) 6’4, 310 lbs. Back to Top ^ Offensive Guards: 6’4, 330 lbs. The Offensive Guard is about the same height as the Center but should weigh more. He needs a wide, powerful base to push against the defenders and drive them off of the line. He also needs to stay balanced and be a strong, immoveable force against charging defenders. Justin Boren #65 (Senior at Ohio State) 6’3, 320 lbs. Carl Johnson #57 (Senior at Florida) 6’5, 360 lbs. Back to Top ^ Defensive Tackle: 6’4, 300 lbs.

He isn’t the fastest player on the field but needs to be quick. His strength is used to stop the run and push through to the quarterback, depending on what the situation necessitates. He must quickly be able to start the play by getting out of his stance and be able to change directions easily. The best Defensive Tackles will also be able to cause the Pocket to collapse (where the Quarterback stands) and will interrupt the passing play that way, but not all will be as good as rushing the Quarterback as they are at run-stopping. He is generally the biggest and most powerful player on the defense and may even be as big as the Offensive Linemen. Jarvis Jenkins #99 (Senior at Clemson) 6’4, 310 lbs. Jared Crick (Junior at Nebraska) 6’6, 285 lbs. Back to Top ^ Defensive End: 6’5, 285 lbs. This player should be the fastest on the Defensive Line. He needs to be able to quickly rush the Quarterback while having enough strength to get past the Offensive Linemen.

Robert Quinn #42 (Junior at North Carolina) 6’5, 270 lbs, Cameron Heyward #97(Senior at Ohio State) 6’5, 288 lbs. Back to Top ^ Inside Linebacker: 6’3, 250 lbs. The prototypical Inside Linebacker (ILB) is faster than the linemen, but slower than everyone else on the defense. He is typically the biggest and strongest of the linebackers. This position is for a natural leader who can quickly read the offense and know how to pursue the ball carrier. He is involved in blitzing and must defend the middle against the pass. If there is only one inside linebacker as opposed to two, he is called the Middle Linebacker (MLB). MLB’s are the captains of the unit and must know many different strategies, reads and skills. Mike Mohamed #18 (Senior at California) 6’3, 236 lbs. Greg Jones #53 (Senior at Michigan State) 6’1, 235 lbs. Back to Top ^ Outside Linebacker: 6’3, 245 lbs.

The Outside Linebacker (OLB) is generally a little faster than the Inside Linebacker (ILB). In fact, OLBs tend to be the fastest and most agile Linebackers on the defense. The Strongside Linebacker (SLB) is bigger and stronger than the Weakside Linebacker (WLB) because he spends more time at the line and is on the side with more players (strong side). The SLB is on the side with the TE on both running and passing plays. The WLB deals well covering open space. Both must be able to take on blockers and have explosive power. Akeem Ayers #10 (Junior at UCLA) 6’4, 254 lbs. Von Miller #40 (Senior at Texas A&M) 6’3, 240 lbs. Mark Herzlick #94 (Senior at Boston College) 6’4, 236 lbs. Back to Top ^ Cornerback: 6’1, 205 lbs. This player needs to be fast to keep up with the Wide Receivers. He’s probably the fastest player on the defense.

He’ll also need to be able to jump well to match up with receivers who are taller than him. His main responsibility is to cover Wide Receivers to defend against the passing game. Patrick Peterson #7 (Junior at LSU) 6’1, 211 lbs. Brandon Harris #1 (Junior at Miami, FL) 5’11, 190 lbs. Back to Top ^ Safety: 6’2, 220 lbs. The Safety is fast and the Free Safety is probably even faster than the Strong Safety because he spends more time in deep zones. He needs to be able to time his jumps well to get defend the pass. The Free Safety relies more on his speed and agility and the Strong Safety relies more on his strength, especially when patrolling the underneath zones. These players may be the best all-around athletes on the field. Free Safety Lance Mitchell #10 (Junior at Oregon State) 6’2, 207 lbs. Strong Safety Tyler Sash #9 (Junior at Iowa) 6’1, 210 lbs.

Linebacker | American Football Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia File:Glennon under center ACC championship.jpg A linebacker (LB) is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. [1] Linebackers are members of the defensive team , and line up approximately three to five yards (4 m) behind the line of scrimmage , behind the defensive linemen . Linebackers generally align themselves before the ball is snapped by standing upright in a "two point stance" (as opposed to the defensive linemen, who put one or two hands on the ground for a "three point stance" or "four point stance" before the ball is snapped). Contents File:Ray-Lewis-2008-Steelers-regseason-game.jpg There are several different designations of linebackers: strongside, middle, and weakside. Usually the strongside and weakside are combined under the title outside, and the middle is renamed inside. In many formations and systems, teams do not use the strong and weakside designations, and merely play their outside linebackers consistently on one side of the formation and designate them either right outside linebacker and left outside linebacker.

[2] These terms are abbreviated ROLB and LOLB when appearing in lineup cards. Middle linebacker (MLB) Edit The middle linebacker, often referred to as "Mike," was invented by the Chicago Bears in the early 1950s. The middle linebacker is often referred to as the " quarterback of the defense". Often it is the middle linebacker that receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team–and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator. A jack-of-all-trades, the middle linebacker can be asked to blitz (though they often blitz less than the outside linebacker), cover, spy the quarterback , or even have a deep middle-of-the-field responsibility in the Tampa 2 defense. In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles. Outside linebacker (OLB) The outside linebacker is usually responsible for outside containment. This includes the strongside and weakside designations below. Strongside linebacker Edit The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed "Sam" for purposes of calling a blitz .

Since the strong side of the offensive team is the side on which the tight end lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the running back on a play, because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker; at the least he possesses the ability to withstand, shed, and fight off blocks from a tight end or fullback blocking the backside of a pass play. The linebacker should also have strong safety abilities in pass situation to cover the tight end in man on man situations. He should also have considerable quickness to read and get into coverage in zone situations. and destroying the offensive line Weakside linebacker Edit The weakside linebacker, or the "Will", must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for the Will. The Will usually aligns off the line of scrimmage at the same depth as Mike.

Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, the Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat or hook/curl areas in zone coverage. In a 3-4 defense the "Will" Linebacker plays on the "weakside" of the two middle Linebacker positions and a 4th Linebacker comes in to play the weakside. Known as a "Rush", "Rover", "Jack" and/or "Buck" Linebacker, their responsibility is more pass rush based but often is called into run stop (gap control) and pass coverage. Formations File:Var vs Baldwin-031.jpg The number of linebackers is dependent upon the formation called for in the play; formations can call for as few as none, or as many as seven. Most defensive schemes call for three or four, and they are named for the number of linemen, followed by the number of linebackers.

For example, the 4-3 defense has four defensive linemen and three linebackers; conversely, the 3–4 defense has three linemen and four linebackers. 4-3 defense Edit In the 4-3 defense there are four down linemen and three linebackers. The middle linebacker is designated "Mike" and two outside linebackers are designated "Sam" and "Will" according to how they line up against the offensive formation. If there is a strong call, the linebacker on the strongside is called "Sam", while the linebacker on the weakside is called "Will". The outside linebacker's job is to cover the end to make sure a run doesn't escape, and to watch the pass and protect from it. The middle linebacker's job is to stop runs between the tackles and watch the entire field to see the play develop. On pass plays, the linebackers' responsibilities vary based upon whether a man or zone coverage is called. In a zone coverage, the linebackers will generally drop into hook zones across the middle of the field. However, some zones will send the outside linebackers into the flats (area directly to the left and right of the hash marks, extending 4-5 yards downfield).

In a man-to-man call, the "Sam" will often cover the tight end with help from a safety over the top, while at other times, the "Sam" and "Will" will be responsible for the first man out of the backfield on their side of the center, with the "Mike" covering if a second man exits on that side of the field. In the " Tampa 2 " zone defense the middle linebacker is required to drop quickly into a deep middle zone pass coverage thus requiring a quick player at this position. 3-4 defense File:Linebacker34.svg In the 3-4 Defense there are three lineman playing the line of scrimmage with four linebackers backing them up, typically two outside linebackers and two inside linebackers. The weak side inside linebacker is typically called the "Will," while the strong side or middle inside linebacker is called the "Mike". "Sam" is a common designation for strong outside linebacker, while the other position is usually called "Jack" and is often a hybrid DE/LB.

Usually, teams that run a 3-4 defense look for college defensive ends that are too small to play the position in the pros and not quite fluid enough to play outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense as their "Jack" linebacker. The idea behind the 3-4 defense is to disguise where the fourth rusher will come from. Instead of the standard four down-linemen in the 4-3, only 3 players are clearly attacking on nearly every play. A key for running this defense successfully is having a defensive front of three large defensive linemen who command constant double teams. In particular, the nose tackle, who plays over the offensive center, must be able to hold ground and to occupy several offensive blockers in order to allow the linebackers to make plays. The focus of the 3-4 defensive line is to occupy offensive linemen thus freeing the linebackers to tackle the running back or to rush the passer or otherwise drop into pass coverage. Generally, both outside linebackers can rush the passer and play the run. Outside linebackers in the 3-4 defense tend to be larger in comparison to linebackers in a base 4-3 defense.

They are also often players who would play DE in a 4-3 defense as situational pass rushing specialists but who otherwise may not fit the expected role of a DE being somewhat smaller in size. Outside linebackers should be able to drop into pass coverage, rush the passer or read and react. When it comes to the inside linebackers, one is generally a run stuffing player who is better able to handle offensive linemen and stop running backs when the offense features a running play, while the other is often a smaller, faster player who excels in pass coverage. However, the smaller or cover LB should also be able to scrape and plug running lanes decently. The design concept of the 3-4 defense is to confuse the offensive line in their blocking assignments, particularly in pass blocking, and to create a more complex read for the quarterback. Many 3-4 defenses have the ability to quickly hybrid into a 4-3 on the field. 46 defense Edit In the 46 defense there are four linemen, three linebackers and a safety who is moved up behind the line of scrimmage. Thus it appears as if there are 4 linebackers, but it is really 3 linebackers with one safety playing up with the other linebackers.

Three of the defensive linemen are over both of the offensive guards and the center, thereby making it difficult to double team any one of the three interior defensive linemen. This can also take away the ability of the offense to pull the guards on a running play, because this would leave one of the defenders unblocked, or, at best, give another lineman a very difficult block to make on one of the defenders. The safety, like the linebackers, can blitz, play man-on-man, play zone, or drop back into deep coverage like a normal safety would do. The 46 is used in heavy run situations; when a team wants to bring lots of pressure; or merely to confuse the quarterback and offensive line. In the 46 both outside linebackers play on the strong side (the side with the tight end ). One of the linebackers plays in front of the tight end, while the other linebacker plays on the outside of him. The middle linebacker plays as a traditional linebacker approximately 5 yards off the line of scrimmage, with the strong safety next to him. Buddy Ryan is generally regarded as the originator of this defense, developing it and using it with great success with the 1985 Chicago Bears .

It was named in honor of Chicago Bears safety, Doug Plank who wore the number 46. Today this defense is rarely used as a base defense due to the increased use of spread offenses and multiple receiver sets, but it may be used occasionally to confuse the offense.This defense is used to stop runs. 4-4 defense Edit This rarely used defense is effective at run-stopping but is slightly weaker than a 4-3 defense at pass coverage because it uses only three defensive backs. One of the outside linebackers is usually called into either blitz or pass coverage in order to make up for the missing DB. In the NFL and college, this alignment is used mainly in short yardage situations or near the goal line. It is commonly used in high school football. Football Basics: What Is a Linebacker? By Jobe Lewis Updated October 01, 2016. When a kid thinks about what position they want to play on defense in football, it's usually linebacker. Linebackers are the portrait of toughness and grit that epitomizes the game of football .

A normal defensive scheme will have the defensive line holding their ground on blockers and the secondary locked in pass coverage, so the linebackers are usually the ones that make the tackle on any given play. Check the stats, and you'll see that the linebackers almost always lead the team in number of tackles. What does a linebacker do? As the name would imply, these guys line up behind the defensive line . They have to read plays quickly and respond, because one misstep can put them out of position to make the tackle. They will be called upon to blast through gaps and stop the run. They will also be required to drop in pass coverage, both zone and man-to-man. They also do a lot of communication to the rest of the defense, helping the team adjust to what the offense is doing. In addition, some defensive schemes call for the linebackers to be walked up on the line of scrimmage like a defensive lineman . Should I play linebacker? If you want to play linebacker, you have to be versatile in your athletic ability. You will need to have good size and speed. The average NFL linebacker is over 220 pounds and over 6 feet tall.

You have to be strong, physical, and mentally tough, not afraid to put your head in there and make a collision. Lastly, you have to have a great understanding of football, and ability to read plays successfully. If that's you, you might be on your way to being the next Brian Urlacher or Ray Lewis . List of positions | American Football Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia [ show ] Offense The offensive team or football is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball.A play usually begins when the quarterback takes a snap from the center and then either hands off to a back, passes to a receiver or a back, or runs the ball himself. The object of the offensive team is to score points for their team. Usually the sign that their goal is accomplished for the offensive team is the touchdown . However, the offensive team can also help the team score by getting good field position for an attempt at a field goal . The offensive unit in American football consists of a quarterback, linemen, backs, tight ends and receivers. The function of most of the linemen is to block. The offensive line consists of a center, two guards, two tackles and one or two tight ends.

Backs include running backs (or tailbacks) who frequently carry the ball, and a fullback, who usually blocks, and occasionally carries the ball or receives a pass. The primary function of the wide receivers is to catch passes. The ultimate makeup of the offense and how it operates is governed by the head coach or offensive coordinator 's offensive philosophy. Center—the center performs the normal blocking functions of all linemen and is the player who puts the ball in play by means of the snap. Guard—the two guards are the offensive linemen directly on either side of the center and inside the tackles. Like all interior linemen, their function is to block on both running and passing plays. On some plays, rather than blocking straight ahead, a guard will "pull" - moving around behind the other offensive linemen upon the start of the play - in order to block a player on either side of the center, in an inside running play called a "trap" or an outside running play called a "sweep". Offensive tackle—the offensive tackles play on either side of the guards. Their role is primarily to block on both running and passing plays.

The area from one tackle to the other is an area of "close line play" in which some blocks from behind, which are prohibited elsewhere on the field, are allowed. For a right-handed quarterback, the left tackle is charged with protecting the blindside, and is often faster than the other offensive linemen to stop 'speed rushers' at the Defensive End position. Like a guard, the tackle may have to "pull", on a running play, when there is a tight end on his side. The description above of the guard and tackle positions apply only to a line that is balanced (has equal numbers of players on both sides of the player who is to snap the ball). In an unbalanced line, there may be players designated "guard" or "tackle" next to each other. Offensive linemen cannot catch or run the ball in most circumstances. Except for the snap by the offensive center as each play from scrimmage starts, ordinarily the only way an offensive lineman can get the ball during a play is by picking up a fumble .

On rare occasions offensive linemen legally catch passes; they can do so either by reporting as an eligible receiver to the referee prior to the snap or by catching a pass which has first been deflected or otherwise touched by an eligible receiver or a defensive player. Any other touching of the ball by an offensive lineman will result in a penalty. Tight end—tight ends play on either side of, and immediately next to, the tackles. They are a mix between a blocker and a pass receiver. If an end moves away from the tackle, he is called a split end. Modern formations typically have one end tight and one split end. Many modern formations forego tight ends and replace them with wide receivers. Sometimes a formation is referred to as having "three tight ends", which in reality means an additional blocker (a wingback or an eighth lineman) has been substituted for a wide receiver, as in short-yardage situations. Wide receiver—the wide receivers are speedy pass-catching specialists. Their main job is to run pass routes and get open for a pass, although they are occasionally called on to block.

A wide receiver may line up on the line of scrimmage and be counted as one of the necessary 7 players on the line in a legal formation (a split end), or he may line up at least one step behind the line of scrimmage and be counted as being in the backfield (a flanker if he is on the outside, a slot if he is not). There are generally two types of wide receivers, "speed" and "possession". A speed receiver's primary function is to stretch the field, be a deep threat, and to not allow the defense to bring an eighth man near the line of scrimmage to discourage or defeat rushing plays. A possession receiver is generally the more sure-handed of the two types and is used to keep possession of the ball by making catches that gain first down yardage, but he usually lacks the speed to attack a defensive backfield. Fullback—positioned behind the middle of the line, a fullback may do some running, some blocking, and some short receiving. A classic fullback is more of a power runner than a running back. Many modern formations do not use a fullback.

Most plays utilizing the fullback call for him to block, generally by running up the middle of the line, clearing a path for a running back to use. Running back—the modern term for the position formally called "halfback". The running back carries the ball on most running plays and is also frequently used as a short-yardage receiver. Running backs, along with the wide receivers, are generally the fastest players on the offensive team. Most of them tend not to run straight ahead, preferring to make quick cutbacks to try to find holes in the defense. This, however, is a generalization, since some running backs are more power-oriented. "Fullback" is now regarded as a separate position from running back, with a substantially different role (especially in the NFL). Tailback (TB)—a running back that is positioned behind the middle of the line and deepest of all backs. H-back—a position that was popularized by Joe Gibbs during his first tenure with the Washington Redskins , the H-back is a hybrid position that combines the skill sets of fullback, tight end, and even wide receiver. An H-back lines up similarly to a slotback—but deeper and not as wide—and frequently serves as a blocker for a more deeply positioned back.

Wingback—a player positioned just outside the outermost tight end, the wingback is slightly offset from the line of scrimmage which designates the position as wingback rather than tight end. The wingback is typically used in extreme blocking situations or unbalanced offensive formations. Slotback—a player positioned just outside the outermost offensive lineman, the slotback is slightly offset from the line of scrimmage which designates the position as a slotback rather than a tight end. The slotback is a typical position in flexbone formations and other Triple Option formations. Quarterback—typically the quarterback is positioned to take a snap handed between the center's legs. However, recent usage refers imprecisely to a player who is positioned behind the center at any distance, calls signals, is not the usual punter or place kick holder, and usually takes the snap as "quarterback" regardless of exact position, because those functions have typically been performed by quarterbacks. Typical play from formations where the quarterback takes the snap proceeds by the quarterback either handing the ball off to a running back to run, throwing the ball downfield, or running personally. Teams can vary the number of wide receivers, tight ends and running backs on the field at one time.

Football rules limit the flexibility of offensive formations. Seven players must line up on the line of scrimmage, and only the two at the end are eligible to catch passes. Sometimes, offensive lineman can declare eligibility and become "tackle eligible." This variation was first used by former Niner Head Coach Bill Walsh , who used tackle Guy McIntyre as a receiver. A few years later tackle William Perry scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XX . Jumbo Ellott and Dan Klecko are two other tackles who have caught touchdowns while being tackle eligible. Defense The defensive team or defense is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. The object of the defensive team is to prevent the other team from scoring. The sign that the defensive goal has been accomplished is a 4th down, which usually involves punting the ball. Unlike the offensive team, there are no formally defined defensive positions. A defensive player may line up anywhere on his side of the line of scrimmage and perform any legal action. However, most sets used in American football include a line composed of defensive ends and defensive tackles and (behind the line) linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties.

Defensive ends and tackles are collectively called defensive line, while the cornerbacks and safeties are collectively called the secondary, or defensive backs. Defensive end (DE)—the two defensive ends play on opposite outside edges of the defensive line. Their function is to attack the passer or stop offensive runs to the outer edges of the line of scrimmage (most often referred to as "containment"). The faster of the two is usually placed on the right because that is a right-handed quarterback 's blind side. Defensive tackle (DT)—(sometimes called a defensive guard), defensive tackles are side-by-side linemen who are between the defensive ends. Their function is to rush the passer (if they can get past the offensive linemen blocking them), and stop running plays directed at the middle of the line of scrimmage. A defensive tackle that lines up directly across from the ball (and therefore, is almost nose-to-nose with the offense's center) is often called a nose tackle or nose guard . The nose tackle is most common in the 3-4 defense and the quarter defense. Most defensive sets have from one to two defensive tackles. Sometimes, but not often, a team will employe three defensive tackles.

Linebacker (LB)—linebackers play behind the defensive line and perform various duties depending on the situation, including rushing the passer, covering receivers, and defending against the run. Most defensive sets have between two and four linebackers. Linebackers are usually divided into three types: strongside (Left- or Right- Outside Linebacker: LOLB or ROLB); middle (MLB); and weakside (LOLB or ROLB). The strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the offense's tight end; he is usually the strongest LB because he must be able to shed lead blockers quickly enough to tackle the running back. The middle linebacker must correctly identify the offense's formations and what adjustments the entire defense must make. Because of this, the middle linebacker is nicknamed the 'quarterback of the defense'. The weakside linebacker is usually the most athletic or fastest linebacker because he usually must defend an open field. Cornerback (CB)—typically two players that primarily cover the wide receivers. Cornerbacks attempt to prevent successful quarterback passes by either swatting the airborne ball away from the receiver or by catching the pass themselves . In rushing situations, their job is to contain the rusher.

Safety (FS or SS)—the safeties are the last line of defense (farthest from the line of scrimmage) and usually help the corners with deep-pass coverage. The strong safety (SS) is usually the larger and stronger of the two, providing extra protection against run plays by standing somewhere between the free safety and the line of scrimmage. The free safety (FS) is usually the smaller and faster of the two, providing variable and extra pass coverage. Typically, a team will have a safety who also has a reputation of being a hard hitter, as evidenced by Mark Carrier, Rodney Harrison and Bob Sanders, John Lynch, and Sean Taylor to name a slim few. More recently, teams are looking for hybrid safeties who can do both jobs, as in a cover 2 defense, the strong safety has a greater role to play in coverage. Safeties are also used in a variety of blitzes. Nickel - and Dime - backs—in certain formations one extra (a fifth) defensive back (called a nickel defense), two extra (a sixth) DB (called a Dime package), or even three extra (a seventh) DB called a Quarter may be used to augment the backfield or defensive line.

Nickelbacks, dimebacks, and Defensive Quarterbacks are usually used to defend pass plays with extra receivers, but they can also be used to rush quarterbacks or runningbacks more quickly than linemen or most linebackers can. A starting cornerback who is good at blitzing and tackling will sometimes be referred to as a nickelback to distinguish them from cornerbacks. Special teams Special teams are units that are on the field during kickoffs, free kicks , punts , and field goal and extra point attempts. Most special teams players are second- and third-string players from other positions. Special teams are unique in that they can serve as offensive or defensive units and that they are only seen sporadically throughout a game. Special teams include a kickoff team, a kick return team, a punting team, a punt blocking/return team, a field goal team, and a field goal block team. There are also specialized players on these teams, including: Punt returner (PR)—returns punts. Gunner —player on kickoffs and punts who specializes in running down the field very quickly in an attempt to tackle the kick returner or the punt returner. Wedge buster —player whose goal is to sprint down the middle of the field on kickoffs.

While ideally, their goal is to reach the kick returner, their immediate goal is to disrupt the wall of blockers (the wedge) on kickoffs, preventing the returner from having a lane in which to get a substantial return. Being a wedge buster is a very dangerous position since he may often be running at full speed when coming into contact with a blocker. Because these aspects of the game can be so different from general offensive and defensive play, a specific group of players is drilled in executing them. Though fewer points are scored on special teams than on offense, special teams play determines where the offense will begin each drive, and thus it has a dramatic impact on how easy or difficult it is for the offense to score. For the purposes of scoring in fantasy football, points scored on special team returns are typically credited to the defense. How Do You Determine Which Football Position You Are Best Suited For? How Do You Determine Which Football Position You Are Best Suited For? By Athletes Topic Of The Week Last updated: Sep 16, 2011 How do you determine which football position you are best suited for? Find out what other people from the message boards think ... TOPIC: How do you determine which football position you are best suited for?

The Question: What physical characteristics are common for your position? What supplements and dietary plan have gave you the extreme competitive advantage for your position? What three tips can you give beginners looking to play your position? If you are looking to change positions, what transition is easiest to make and why? What changes should one expect moving from high school football to college football? Bonus Question: What position do you play and what training regimen has gave you the best results? Why? Show off your knowledge to the world! The Winners: 1st place - 75 in store credit. 2nd place - 50 in store credit. 3rd place - 25 in store credit. To use your credit, e-mail Will @ will@athletes.com for more info. 1st Place - UnleashedBeast What Physical Characteristics Are Common For Your Position? Though there are exceptions to the rules, stereotypically, there are certain physical characteristics that each position has. Offensive/Defensive Linemen Strength/Power Linemen are usually the strongest people on the field. This is necessary, as the people you'll be going against, will most likely be big. This brings us to the next characteristic. Size Linemen are usually the fatties on the field.

This doesn't give you the excuse to eat like a fatty, but carrying extra body fat is not unusual. With this size, comes strength that's necessary on the field. This is also good to have as it will make you harder to move and you'll fill gaps better. Quickness You have to be quick to be a lineman. Quick out of the stance, quick to hit the other guy, and quick to get to where you have to be. It's also helpful with getting away from you're man if you're on defense, or keeping him there on offense. You Need To Be Quick Out Of The Stance. Click To Enlarge. Running Backs / Linebackers Speed If you want to make plays at running back, you have to be fast. You'll need speed to hit the gap, get away from tacklers, and it's also good to have for getting out of trouble. If no one can touch you, you're not going to get tackled. At linebacker, speed is also necessary. You need to be able to hunt down that ball carrier and take them out. This is also needed for when you're in coverage.

Agility It's good to have agility to make the crucial spin move or juke that can make a 5-yard play, a 40-yard play. One move can make the difference of a first down, and a touchdown. This is good to have at the linebacker position as well. It's necessary for change of direction and also moving around the field. You'll have to be able to get the running back, and if he's more agile than you, he may be able to get past you. If you get juked out of your shoes, not only will you give up the play, you'll look foolish. Power Though you don't have to be as big as a lineman, it's good to have a good amount of strength. This can help you break away from tacklers by stiff-arms or just mowing them down. This also comes in handy with blocking situations. Linebackers need it to take down backs and also shed blockers. This can make the difference of a wannabe or a playmaker. Click To Enlarge. Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs Speed These are the guys who are usually the fastest on the field. Wide receivers have to be fast to get down field and where they have to be.

They need to be able to get away from defenders and get open. Defensive backs need to be fast to keep up with the person they're covering and be able to get to the ball. Hands At this position, if you can't catch balls, you can't make plays. First of all, if you're a wide receiver and you have hands of stone, there's no way you're going to play. That's pretty much your job most of the time. Though you do block, I'm not going to lie to you, we don't expect the most out of you with blocking. It's your hands that count. Same goes for defensive backs. Though not as important, it's still crucial. How are you going to get an interception if you can't catch the ball ... you can't. Ups You may not have to dunk a ball, but you sure as hell have to be able to get up there for it. This can make the difference of a reception, or an interception. Whoever gets up there for the ball first, has the better chance of making the play. Easy as that. Quarterback/Kicker/Punter Quarterback For a quarterback, you need a good arm and the ability to make good decisions under pressure.

Footwork is good to have. Strength and speed, though good to have, are optional. Kicker/Punter For a kicker/punter, let's be realistic. All you need to be able to do, is kick. Supplements & Diet What supplements and dietary plan have gave you the extreme competitive advantage for your position? First of all, as athletes, it is important to be healthy. Just because you're a lineman, doesn't mean you can eat all the ice cream you want. And just because you're a wideout, doesn't mean you have an excuse to make toothpicks look like Ronnie Coleman. Eat a good amount and eat healthy. I personally find that a high protein, high carbohydrate, and low fat protein diet is the best. Protein A good source of protein is lean red meat, chicken breast, protein shakes and fish. Carbs For carbs, it's crucial you eat healthy ones. There are monosaccharide (glucose, dextrose, fructose), disaccharides (table sugar (sucrose), lactose) and polysaccharides (maltodextrose, starch). Stay away from disaccharides.

Mono and polysaccharides are more what you should be aiming for. These can be attained through fruits, vegetables, oats, dextrose/maltodextrose, brown rice, potatoes, etc. Fats For fats, try to be healthy with it, getting a diet full of Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Good sources are fish oil, olive oil and flax seed oil. Water intake should also be high. Also, when it comes to steroids, just say no. You're creating an unlevel playing field for others, and could be harming yourself badly. No matter what you're told on television about how these elite athletes are taking steroids, they aren't there because they took steroids. It probably won't make you an NFL superstar. It will however make you a cheater. Beginners What three tips can you give beginners looking to play your position? Offensive/Defensive Linemen Stay low, the lower man usually wins. Even when the size match-up is unfair, if you can get lower, you can win the match. Drive your feet. Move the other guy, and have control. Be quick off the ball Running Backs Don't be afraid to take a hit. If you run hard, you'll run good.

Be quick. Make your decisions quickly and don't take time to think about what you're going to do. A play doesn't last long, make your decisions quick. Never give up. Don't give up on a play, the best players can make something out of what seems like nothing. Just keep on keeping on. Linebackers Be aggressive. Think of yourself as the man on the field. This is your territory, don't let anyone run on it. Like a running back, you need to be quick about your decisions. Anticipate what gap the play is coming through. Be aware of what's going on around you, especially in coverage. You need to be able to know what's going on and anticipate the play. Wide Receivers As with running backs, don't be afraid to take a hit. Be tough, and take a hit like a man. Don't be afraid to go across the field for the ball. Practice your routes and get them down. Route running is important. Be quick to get past your defender on the line and get open. Defensive Backs Just because you aren't normally one of the bigger guys on the field, doesn't mean you shouldn't be laying people out. Be tough and make tackles.

Watch the receiver's hips, not his eyes or anything else. Wherever his hips are going, so is he. Jam the receiver at the line and don't let him get past you. Quarterback Be as quick with your decisions as possible. Stay focused and be aware of the rush. Don't try to make plays that aren't there. What I mean with this is, don't pass to a guy in triple coverage unless you feel really good about it for some odd reason. Be good to your receivers, line and running back. You need them. Kicker/Punter Not much can be said here. Kick good. To All It's a game, have fun. Changing Position If you are looking to change positions, what transition is easiest to make and why? Positions usually have a counter part that's on the other side of the ball. They usually go as this: Offensive Lineman/Defense Lineman Running back/Linebacker Wide Receiver/Defensive Back There are always exceptions, you should probably go to where you think you think your athletic ability will be best used. No one position is easier to make a transition to then the other. Every position is different from another.

High School To College What changes should one expect moving from high school football to college football? Game speed As the transition from Pop Warner to Middle School, Middle School to JV and JV to Varsity, the game will be much faster. There will be more talent on the field with you and more elite athletes. Be prepared to play with the big boys. Importance You will most likely be putting in a lot more time into football. With more meetings, practices and all other kinds of things. A lot of your schedule will be taken up by football, but as it was in high school, there is NO REASON why you should let this effect your performance in the class room. Playing Time This isn't high school anymore, you may not be the best player in the locker room anymore. Not yet anyways. Be prepared to be a little humbled, because you're playing with the guys who were the best at their high school too. Step It Up It's time to step up your game another level. You're most likely playing on a scholarship; therefore, the college is expecting something out of your game. It's time to play with the big boys. Bonus What position do you play and what training regimen has gave you the best results? Why?

I'm a defensive lineman. I'm usually at defensive tackle, so when I train, I train mainly for strength and quickness. I lift heavy, and with strength. I go for size too, as it's important to be big at that position. I have found that the "Bigger, Faster, Stronger" program is a good one, especially for a beginner. It's a workout made for athletes, rather than bodybuilders. I also am a big fan of Westside training. Though mainly a power lifting program, it can be utilized for athletes of all sorts. When I run, I run sprints. I'm not going to have to run a marathon for football anytime soon, so I don't train for one. Everyone is different, it's best you find what's best for you and your needs. 2nd Place - STUD What physical characteristics are common for your position? Offense Running Backs Having the ability to find the seam that will provide you with the most yardage is crucial to anyone who plays running back. This means following blockers and knowing when you cut, stiff arm, juke, spin or lower the shoulder.

A running back has to have good speed or they will never break off the 60-plus yard runs that can spark a team up and put a quick 6 on the board. A running back has to be as tough as anyone on the field and be able to get up after a rough tackle and play the next play. Quarterbacks Quarterbacking is just as mental as physical because you not only have to know your assignment but also every fake and pass pattern that makes up a play. To be a good quarterback you must have a good throwing arm and be able to get the ball to your receivers and limit your interceptions. A quarterback has to be quick as they will have to dodge blitzes and find pockets. Linemen Size and strength with moderate mobility are required to play this position. You must have a sturdy base and be strong enough to push a defensive lineman out of the way to make a hole for the ball carrier. Offensive linemen must also be mobile enough that they can pull and block a man on the opposite side of the line. In a few words an offensive lineman should be an impenetrable force than can open up a hole for the ball carrier. Wide Receivers Route running, agility and speed are the most common characteristics among wide receivers.

I put route running first because it is the most important characteristic for a wide receiver to have if they plan on being successful at that position. Catching falls in the category of route running because after all the catch is part of the pattern. Agility is also important when it comes to playing wide reciever. Agility means acceleration, deceleration and cutting. If you can make a cut quicker than your opponent you will be open much more, thus resulting in more catches under your name in the stat book. Speed is necessary for playing wide receiver but speed is also nothing if you are running poor patterns and making weak cuts. If you can run textbook patterns and catch anything you touch then there is no reason why you can't dominate the man covering you even if he is faster. Tight Ends A tight end for the most part is a bigger wide receiver that can pass block and open up holes for a counter. A tight end must have good size and strength as they will have regular blocking assignments in most playbooks. They must also be able to run a short crisp pattern and catch the ball to pick up a few yards. Most tight end patterns will be short like a drag or a curl.

A tight end must be tough and have the ability to catch a ball in the middle of the field and fight for those next few yards. Defense Defensive Backs The defensive back position requires just about the same characteristics that a wide receiver requires. You need to be fast enough that you won't get burned on the deep ball and you need to be agile enough to front the receiver when he makes a quick cut. Open field tackling is also important for any defensive back because if a defensive back lets the ball carrier by him the chances are the other team just put up 6 points. Defensive backs also need to know how to read the pattern the receiver is running. Unlike the receiver, the DB does not know where the pattern is going, so it is his job to read the wide receiver's steps and eyes trying to figure out where he will go next. Linebackers The characteristics of a linebacker are similar to the ones of a running back. Linebackers must be big, strong, fast and tough as nails. A linebacker must have no regard for the well-being of his body whatsoever and just focus on tackling the man with the ball as soon as possible.

A linebacker's job is to go out there for four quarters and pummel someone play in and play out. Tackling form is important to being a successful linebacker to get the ball carrier down as fast as possible. Defensive Guards/Tackles/Ends A defensive lineman needs to be stronger and faster than the man trying to guard him. You must be fast enough to get by an offensive lineman to make a big play in the backfield. Strength is important in pushing an offensive lineman out of the way to get to the ball carrier. A good defensive lineman must be fast enough to contain a running back and big and strong enough to plug the middle up on a dive. A defensive end is a little different than a tackle or guard as they need to have the speed to chase down an outside run and get to the quarterback before he throws it. Supplements & Diet What supplements and dietary plan have gave you the extreme competitive advantage for your position? Conditioning & Nutrition For Football. The following is designed to address these issues and respond to questions that I thought may be of interest to athletes and coaches alike about football ... [ Learn More ] If you want to perform on game day you have to give your body what it needs to make it possible.

Whey protein , creatine monohydrate and multivitamins have greatly helped me to prepare for this upcoming season. I have packed on a good amount of solid mass in the off-season and it has made all the difference in training camp thus far. I can tell you I wouldn't have gained nearly as much mass without these supplements helping along the way. I'm not telling you to go out and load up on supplements if your have a poor diet, because no matter what supplements you take, they will never benefit you like a steady diet will. This means getting your fair share of protein, complex carbs and essential fatty acids to promote new muscle growth. During my off-season I took in 1.5g of protein/lb of bodyweight per day, 2.2g carbohydrates/lb of bodyweight and about 20% of my total caloric intake came from fats. If you want to perform on game day you have to give your body what it needs to make it possible. Beginners What three tips can you give beginners looking to play your position?

Running back Killer instinct, pump yourself up before the snap Defensive Back Don't let him get under you If the receiver jumps up for a ball, cut him in half Changing Positions If you are looking to change positions, what transition is easiest to make and why? Football is not the sort of game where you can just play wherever you feel, but there are some positions that are similar enough that the change won't be too drastic. For example, a running back could become a linebacker while an offensive guard could most likely not become a defensive back. Here is a list of similar positions that would not be too big of a change that you could look into if you are looking for a position change: WR and DB High School To College What changes should one expect moving from high school football to college football? For the most part the change from high school to college football is a big one. Simply put, the players at the collegiate level are much bigger, stronger and faster than players at the high school level. You have to be an outstanding athlete to play at this level or you will not succeed. College football is much faster paced than high school football and the pass is incorporated much more into the game plan.

This means you have to know exactly what you are doing on every play or you will find yourself with a nice seat next to the water cooler. The mental aspect of the game becomes that much more important at this level. The physical side of college football is different than in high school. Only the best players from a high school football team will go on and play in college. A lot of these college recruits will not play until they are juniors or seniors. This means in their first two years of college they have all the time they want to get bigger and faster so they too can play when given the chance. If you plan on playing college football you must be in the elite group of high school football players. Bonus What position do you play and what training regimen has gave you the best results? Why? I play running back and outside linebacker. These two positions require speed and power. I always had the speed but the power did not come until I worked on it during the off-season. My off-season workout routine consists of a Mon-Fri/5 day split with Saturday and Sunday off working every muscle once a week. I lifted in the 4-6 rep range because I see the best strength gains using this range.

My bench , squat and deadlift have all skyrocketed from last season to this one. Since I am a running back I worked on my speed and agility also. Sprinting, squatting and light plyometrics have helped knock 2 tenths off my 40-yard dash in the off-season and my agility has also greatly improved. You don't get bigger, faster and stronger during the season. These are things you must work on during the off-season. 3rd Place - footballstar Determining what football position are you best suited for? Early Stages During Little league football when you were in elementary school and for some of you, middle school, most likely were given a position based on your speed. In my Pop Warner league there were weight limits so there was really no need for position debates, the general rule of thumb goes if you are fast you will play RB but if you are slow you will play as a lineman. Our coaches used to tell us that the harder we hit or if someone dominated a drill or someone was giving there all during sprints then they would have a chance at the backfield. This system was simple yet effective but as we move onto high school things change. Click To Enlarge.

High School Freshman In order to effectively say what position you are going after you must know what the characteristics of the position are. There are 3 different types of positions on the playing field there are the skill guys, semi-skilled and Lineman. The skill guys are typically the RB, WR, QB and DB. The semi-skilled are the TE, DE, LB and FB. The Linemen are just OL and DL. Body Types There are 3 different body types but also hybrids of people that are in between. The three bodytypes are: Mesomorphs Endomorphs Ectomorphs Dr. William H. Sheldon introduced these somatypes in the 1940's, even though they have been around for more than 60 years they are still applicable to describing where an aspiring football player belongs. Ectomorph Ectomorph describes people that have trouble putting on weight, usually they are tall and most as a freshman have the appearance of being fragile. The Ectomorph body type typically defines the attribute of a DB, WR, or QB. Mesomorphs Mesomorphs are those that can gain weight and lose weight easily and typically have thick skin and have an athletic appearance.

The Mesomorph body type typically defines the attribute of a RB, FB, TE, DE or LB. Endomorphs Endomorphs are usually the chubby kids with soft skin and have a round shape to them. The endomorph body type typically defines the attribute of an OL or DL. What Is Your Body Type? Take Our Test! What body type are you? How can you tell? Take our simple test and know! Learn how to train for your body type and what the differences are. With pics! [ Click here to learn more. ] Hybrid Body Types Humans evolve and can train there body to alter it either by training and adopting a healthy diet. Meso-Endomorph When I was a freshman I wasn't obese but I was a little chubby kid with decent athleticism and I decided that I was a mesomorph, looking back I was ignorant and didn't know that the body types could overlap and now I know I have a meso-endomorph body type which was perfect as I developed into a TE that could block and catch the ball and I became a good rush end.

Meso-ectomorphs Meso-ectomorphs are typically the tall, big and fast guy on your team that seems to be able to play any position these guys are usually fast-twitch monsters and develop into great athletes who just grew into being tall, lean and fast. Endo-ectomorphs Another somatype is the endo-ectomorphs. These are usually the tall big kids that develop into nasty linemen and usually go on to play at the next level because that is what college coaches want in DL and OL. Actually Playing The Game Some of you are reading this and saying that you knew your coach was wrong because he put you at DE but you are a MLB or some other scenario. Listen to your coach and if you really want to play the other position tell him how you feel and what you could work on to get there because there must be some odd reason he gave you that position. Some people just get caught in a bad situation where they were always a back-up for a D-I prospect in a case like this I would attempt to switch positions as quickly as I can or rise up above the competition and make the D-I prospect feel like crap because of how you handle yourself on the field.

Question: In American football, what position is LB
Answer: Linebacker