Your Guide to Football Positions Explained for New Fans

Ever been glued to a football game but felt a little lost about who's who on the field? You're not alone. It is common for parents to feel out of the loop on all the different roles, but having football positions explained makes a major difference.

With 11 players on each side, all moving at once, it seems chaotic. But, there's a plan to the madness, and knowing the roles makes watching, or playing, more enjoyable.

• Breaking Down the Offense
  • Offensive Line (OL)
  • Backfield
  • Receiving Core
• Understanding the Defense
  • Defensive Line
  • Linebackers
  • Defensive Backs
• Special Teams Positions
  • Field Goal/Point After Touchdown (PAT) Team
  • Kickoff/Kick Return Team
  • Punt Team
  • Punt Return Team
• FAQs about football positions explained
  • What are the positions in football and what do they mean?
  • What's the hardest position in football?
  • What does SS stand for in football?
  • What is the difference between a guard and a tackle?
• Conclusion

The offense is all about scoring. It works by moving the ball down the field.

Think of them as a well-oiled machine, with each offensive player working for a touchdown. These offensive players fall into three groups.

The offensive lineman is the engine. These are typically the biggest guys on the field.

They form a wall to protect the quarterback and create openings for runners. Without an offensive lineman, the offensive team could not move at all.

Here's a look at who makes up the offensive line:

• Center (C): This player starts each play by "snapping" the ball to the quarterback. They then help protect the quarterback as offensive center.
• Guards (LG and RG): These are the center's helpers on either side, the offensive guards. Offensive guards work to defend in every situation possible.
• Tackles (LT and RT): Positioned on the ends of the line, offensive tackles are vital. Offensive tackles tend to be nimble and quick enough to "pull," meaning to run from their assigned place and to defend another player.

These are the guys that take off running in plays. The number of them on the field changes depending on the play.

They include fullbacks, running backs, and most important, the Quarterback.

• Fullback (FB): The fullback is a blocker and runner, but less used now. More teams use a tight end or extra receiver.
• Quarterback (QB): This is the player that directs the entire flow of the offensive side. The Quarterback calls the plays.
• Running Back (RB) / Halfback (HB): These football players are the main ball carriers. These players burst through openings. They can also catch passes.

Receivers are a critical part of offensive plays. Catching passes is key.

But, these players also block. They need speed and height. This helps them grab those high passes.

• Tight End (TE): The tight end has the capability of performing as either a blocker or receiver. This means that their responsibilities depend on what happens in a particular play.
• Split End (X): These wide receivers are crucial. They can often make a game-changing move down the entire length of the field.
• Flanker (Z): Flankers have different roles. Usually, though, their task is simply to make short and quick plays with catches and passes.
• Slot Receiver (Y): Agility is most valued for this slot receiver position. These receivers line up to carry out a number of diverse roles, often catching passes in the middle of the field.

The defense is there to stop the offense. They have eleven positions.

These positions counter the offensive threat. There are many positions explained across different types of sports. Football is different and has three main categories that these positions fall into.

These guys start right on the line of scrimmage. There are three to four of them.

Their job is to pressure the quarterback and stop running plays. Defensive linemen are big, but need some speed to break through the offensive line.

• Defensive End (DE): Players that make up the right and left ends. Part of the job of the defensive ends is to contain plays that attempt to skirt the sides of the field, so they should ideally have agility.
• Defensive Tackle (DT): A player tasked with the center position on the field, defensive tackles generally blocks defensive players on central plays. Size and bulk define defensive tackles.
• Nose Tackle (NT): Sometimes used, this nose tackle lines up directly in front of the center. The nose tackle has a simple directive which is to carry out the role that any defensive tackle would.

Linebackers stand behind the defensive linemen. There are 3 to 5 positions.

Linebackers typically need both speed and strength. This allows for stopping running plays and covering wide receivers on pass plays.

• Middle Linebacker (MLB'Mike'): Middle Linebackers focus on containing running plays in the center of the field. The middle linebacker makes many tactical changes.
• Outside Linebacker (OLB): Two players fall in this position. One is the strongside linebacker and the other weakside. Their position falls to either end of their setup, with the strong side being lined up to face the tight end. The other end holds the weakside.
• Rush Linebacker (RLB): Speed makes them work around the offensive lineman's line. With agility, the goal is to take on and get to the quarterback as a priority.

Defensive backs are fast. They need to be.

Their main job is covering wide receivers and stopping passes. They'll also help defend running plays, too. But coverage is key. It consists of two cornerbacks and two safeties.

• Cornerback (CB): Players in the cornerback position fall back into coverage. Defensive backs defensive backs need agility and great snap judgements.
• Free Safety (FS): Typically this safety falls back on plays that cross the line. Because of the distance and the risk of allowing a point if a defensive player fails, free safety is also called the final defense. A free safety typically has great ball skills.
• Strong Safety (SS): Strong safeties assist with pass coverage too. And their roles can vary greatly. Some strong safeties also take part in runs, tasked with stopping the opposing team.

Special teams have some duties. They handle punts, field goals, kickoffs, and returns.

Many of these players are also on offense or defense. But, some specialize.

This team comes on for field goal or PAT attempts.

This group includes some main roles. Including a specialist that is rarely otherwise utilized.

• Kicker (K): Their duty is the field goal, as well as extra points following touchdowns. They require not only extreme strength, but also accuracy.
• Long Snapper (LS): Needed for snaps on PAT's as well as field goals, they are also relevant to punts. Usually these players occupy the center position, meaning their role varies greatly depending on the down. The long snapper is key for clean snaps.
• Placeholder/Holder (PH/H): Their goal on goals is to get it placed properly and support a clear path. Many times back-up players fill this position.

This team kicks off to start halves and after scores. It also has a returner.

• Kicker (K): This player boots the ball downfield. Some teams have different kickers, one for kickoffs, one for field goals.
• Kick Returner (KR): Receivers are usually assigned the kick returner role. Some defensive players have a better chance here as well though.

The punt team comes out on fourth down. This transfers the position of failure.

• Gunner (G): Often a defensive back is used to move ahead quickly to keep on returns, to prevent running for big yardage. But a wide receivers position player can make a mark here as well because of their greater experience moving at pace downfield.
• Long Snapper (LS): Because this player has varied duties based on whatever position, their snap length sets them up to perform a long snap too.
• Personal Protector (PP): The Personal Protector position often calls for versatility. Players often come from outside linebackers, for example.
• Punter (P): Their strong ability makes them a must here to set as much distance between failure as possible.

The return team tries to get the position when opponents give up.

The team hopes to run the position. Ideally returning it to score.

• Jammer (J): Speed makes the most impact here. That means they must get on gunners before moving downfield for a punt.
• Punt Returner (PR): Catching well before moving defines these players. This takes agility as well as strength, but ideally players with great hand-eye coordination.

Football has offensive, defensive, and special teams positions. The offense tries to score, the defensive team tries to stop them, and prevent the opposing team's score attempts.

Special teams handle kicking situations. Each position has very specific tasks, requiring different skill sets and body types.

Learning each one helps to show all positions explained thoroughly across any and all types of play. This includes knowing that defensive backs cover wide receivers and linebackers typically are versatile to assist with different situations.

Many point to the quarterback as the hardest. They make constant decisions, read defenses, and need amazing skills.

The positions explained require a lot, too. Cornerback is often called one of the toughest on defense, due to needing many physical abilities and a sharp mind, as they are covering wide receivers and need great ball skills.

SS stands for Strong Safety. The strong safety is a defensive back.

Defensive backs defensive are typically a little bigger than other cornerbacks and free safeties. Safety typically line up closer to the line of scrimmage. A defensive backs defensive main work is to help defend running and passing plays.

Guards and tackles are both offensive linemen. But, offensive tackles are usually a bit bigger than guards.

While an offensive guard has slightly different strengths. Let's break down the two to help.

The various roles in American football require specific types of training. So, getting a good idea of how these roles work in real-time and getting training specifically to grow with it all contribute.

When a football team works together, they perform highly - at every level, from youth leagues to the pros. That includes parents who have the football positions explained better now.