Football positions explained
Each team has 11 players on the field. On offense: a quarterback, five linemen, and five more split between running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. On defense: three or four linemen, three or four linebackers, and four or five defensive backs. Below, every spot of a three-receiver offense lined up against a 4-3 defense.
Every position on the field
- Line
- Receivers
- Backs
- Linebackers
- Secondary
Offense
- QB QuarterbackTakes the snap and runs the offense: hands the ball off, throws it or runs with it.
- RB Running backLines up behind or beside the quarterback.
- FB FullbackA blocking back who lines up in front of the running back to lead the way on runs and sometimes catches short passes.
- WR Wide receiverLines up near the sideline, or in the slot between the outside receiver and the line, to run routes and catch passes.
- TE Tight endLines up next to a tackle at the end of the line.
- LT Left tackleThe outside lineman on the quarterback's left.
- LG Left guardLines up between the left tackle and the center.
- C CenterSnaps the ball to the quarterback, then blocks.
- RG Right guardLines up between the center and the right tackle.
- RT Right tackleThe outside lineman on the quarterback's right, usually on the tight end's side.
Defense
- DE Defensive endLines up at the end of the defensive line.
- DT Defensive tackleOne of the two interior linemen in a 4-3 front, lined up across from the guards.
- NT Nose tackleThe middle lineman of a 3-4 front, lined up over the center.
- OLB Outside linebackerIn a 3-4 the outside linebackers stand up at the ends of the line and rush the passer.
- ILB Inside linebackerThe two linebackers behind the line in the middle of a 3-4 front.
- MLB Middle linebackerThe center of a 4-3 defense, lined up behind the defensive tackles.
- CB CornerbackLines up wide across from the receivers and covers them on passes.
- SS Strong safetyA deep defender on the tight end's side, often closer to the line than the free safety.
- FS Free safetyUsually the deepest defender, the last line of defense.
- NB Nickel backA fifth defensive back who comes in for a linebacker in nickel packages, usually to cover a slot receiver.
Special teams
- K KickerKicks field goals, extra points and kickoffs..
- P PunterPunts the ball away on fourth down.
- LS Long snapperSnaps the ball on punts, field goals and extra points: a longer, faster snap than the center's, usually his only job..
- H HolderCatches the snap and sets the ball down for the kicker on field goals and extra points..
- KR Kick returnerCatches kickoffs and runs them back..
- PR Punt returnerCatches punts and runs them back, or signals a fair catch..
Formations
- 3-4 defenseThree linemen, four linebackers: 19 of 32 teams list it as their base front this week.
- 4-3 defenseFour linemen, three linebackers: 13 of 32 teams.
- Nickel defenseA fifth defensive back in place of a linebacker, and every team's nickel back.