how to tell what the offensive plays is in football

Eric is a quondam football thespian, former youth football coach, and lifelong student of the game.

American football offensive and defensive positions.

If you lot oasis't grown up watching and playing the sport, American football is sometimes hard to follow. Whether you lot're from across the pond or alive here in the states, the individual player positions and their responsibilities tin can be peculiarly difficult to understand.

There was a time, decades ago, when the various players on a football team shared more than similarities than differences. Individuals played both offense and defense, and everyone had to know how to block and tackle well.

The game has evolved, and and so accept the positions. Football has become a game of specialists, with each position assigned a specific duty at dissimilar times during the game.

This article is a bones guide to the offensive and defensive positions on an NFL football team. Volumes can exist written virtually the strategy and the historical significance of each position, but this is intended to be simple and usable for the new football fan.

Here you lot'll find information on where each player typically lines up, a description of their duties, the physical attributes they possess, and the jersey numbers they are immune to wear.

Why practice jersey numbers matter? The NFL jersey numbering organization was in one case adequately strict. Information technology is meant to be helpful for the referee and other officials, just it as well helps fans understand which actor plays which position. NFL teams must declare an private role player'due south roster position, and that player must wear a number within the range allowed for his position, as per NFL rules.

New NFL Jersey Number Rules for 2021

In 2021, the NFL relaxed its jersey numbering rules to let a wider range of numbers for most positions. This ways, for example, running backs and wide receivers volition be allowed to clothing single-digit numbers for the first fourth dimension since earlier 1973.

This is similar to the numbering system in college and high-school football and we can expect to encounter many players revert to their old college numbers. All the same, this may not happen on a big calibration until the 2022 season. That is because if NFL players modify their jersey number without giving the NFL plenty discover they are on the hook for the toll of any unsold jerseys bearing their old number.

Here'due south a look at each position on an NFL roster, starting with the offense.

There are xi men on the field per side in American football. On the criminal offence, seven of those men must line upward on the line of scrimmage, and the other 4 backside them in the backfield.

The task of the offense is to move the ball down the field and score points. Each offensive position has a unique prepare of responsibilities, and each actor has specific attributes that ameliorate enable him to do his job. The stereotypical player at each position has evolved over the decades, as players continue to get bigger and stronger with each generation.

A play starts with the eye snapping the ball, and the middle is one of the offensive linemen. And then, the offensive line is where we will offset.

You tin refer to the diagrams throughout this article to encounter the specific locations of each position.

Football game Positions Criminal offense Diagram

Roll to Continue

Offensive Line

There are five offensive linemen (OL) in virtually offensive formations: one center, two guards, and 2 tackles. Their chief office is to cake for the histrion with the ball.

Offensive linemen are the biggest, strongest guys on the field, and their piece of work tin can win or lose a game.

Lines Upwardly

All five players line upward on the line of scrimmage. In football, there must exist seven offensive players on the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped. In most standard formations, five of those players are linemen.

NFL Offensive Lineman Duties

• The primary job of the offensive line is to block opposing players. They do not typically touch the ball every bit office of the game programme, and there are even rules preventing them from doing so at sure times.
• They need to exist very practiced blockers in both running and passing situations.
• They must have the strength to overpower opponents, the speed to become out in front of running backs, and the quickness to block smaller, faster defensive players.

Positions on the Offensive Line:

• Center (C): Every bit the name describes, he lines up in the middle. The heart snaps the ball to the quarterback and starts the play. He is the leader of the offensive line and makes calls before a play starts so the other offensive linemen know their blocking assignments. The centre is oft required to cake the defensive nose tackle, usually the biggest, strongest player on the defense.
• Baby-sit (G): There are 2 guards, one on each side of the center. Historically, guards used to be the all-time athletes on the offensive line. Now, they are all corking athletes. Guards are often required to run the farthest on running plays and need to have decent speed and quickness for their size.
• Tackle (T): At that place are two tackles, and they line up outside of the guards. Tackles may take the toughest jobs on the offensive line. The position they concord at the terminate of the line means their block is oftentimes key in running plays. Tackles are also required to block much faster defensive ends and linebackers on passing plays. Quarterbacks may go all the glory, simply there is no player more valuable to a football team than an outstanding offensive tackle.

Attributes

• All offensive linemen are huge, powerful men.
• xxx years agone, linemen weighing in the neighborhood of 250 pounds could brand a living in professional person football. Now, few linemen weigh less than 300 pounds, with some tipping the scales closer to 400.
• NFL linemen are extremely stiff, and many of them are capable of bench pressing over 500 pounds.

Jersey Numbers

Linemen may wearable numbers from 50 to 79. These are ineligible numbers in the NFL, meaning offensive players wearing those numbers are not immune to run downfield on a passing play. This helps the officials when calling penalties. Nonetheless, a lineman may line upward in an eligible position or in the backfield (equally long as in that location are withal 7 players on the line) but must first study his intentions to the referee.

Keeping the quarterback safe is part of the NFL offensive lineman's job clarification.

Sgt. Alexander Martinez / Public domain / via Wikimedia Commons

Quarterback

The quarterback (QB) gets the ball at the first of a play. He must be able to throw the football well and take the leadership skills necessary to command the offense. Some quarterbacks are good at running with the ball, but this skill is not usually paramount in the NFL.

Lines Upwards

Behind the center. Depending on the play, he may stand up direct behind and accept the snap straight from the center. Or, he may stand several yards back in shotgun or pistol formation, in which case the center would laissez passer the ball back to him.

NFL Quarterback Duties

• The expectations put on the quarterback vary widely, depending on the offensive game plan and, in many cases, the skill of the quarterback.
• At the very least he must accept a leadership office and take the noesis to guide the law-breaking downwards the field.
• Some quarterbacks are fantabulous passers, where others are able to run well.
• Today, the NFL is very much a passing league, so most teams prefer quarterbacks who can throw the ball well.

Attributes

• The best quarterbacks are tall athletes, which enables them to better run across the field. That said, there are more than a couple of modern quarterbacks around the 6-foot mark who do just fine, proving that prototypical standards don't always determine an athlete's effectiveness.
• Athleticism is important, as is toughness, but almost quarterbacks earn their keep with their passing arm and their encephalon in a higher place all else.

Bailiwick of jersey Numbers

Quarterbacks in the NFL may wear numbers 1-xix.

New 2021 NFL Jersey Number Rules at a Glance

Jersey Number	Positions (1973-2020)	Positions (2021)
1-ix	QB, P, K	QB, P, Grand, RB, WR, LB, DB
10-19	QB, P, Thousand, WR	QB, P, K, RB, WR, LB, DB
twenty-39	RB, DB	RB, WR, LB, DB
forty-49	RB, DB, TE, LB	RB, WR, LB, DB
50-59	LB, OL, DL	LB, OL, DL
threescore-79	OL, DL	OL, DL
80-89	TE, WR	RB, WR, TE
ninety-99	LB, DL	DL, LB

Running Dorsum

Running backs (RB) come in all shapes and sizes. There are huge, bruising ability backs, and small, fast scat backs, and some running backs that never even bear upon the ball. While their part has changed in modern football, the running back is still a very important position.

Lines Upwards

Running backs must line upward in the backfield. All the same, that doesn't mean they must stay behind the offensive line. In many cases, they split out like a wide receiver and run downfield to catch passes.

NFL Running Back Duties

There was a time, non all that long agone when all running backs needed to be able to deport the brawl and proceeds yards. The NFL was a more than run-centered league dorsum then, where today it is a pass-first league. This ways modern running backs need to exist skillful at catching passes and blocking blitzing linebackers.

Types of Running Backs

At that place are several types of running backs, and their duties vary:

• Fullback (FB): The fullback's primary job is to block. Some fullbacks are adept pass receivers as well. The average fullback is big and powerful, with plenty of the strength necessary to shell defenders on running plays. The job of fullback has become a very blue-collar position. In days gone by the fullback was an important ball carrier, but nowadays the halfback gets the ball on nigh running plays and the fullback paves the fashion.
• Halfback (HB): In modern offenses, the halfback is the player counted on to run with the ball the nearly throughout the game. Some are small and quick with the ability to fake defensive players out of their cleats. Others are large and powerful and basin over defenders rather than run effectually them. The best halfbacks accept a combination of speed, ability, and quickness, and they are very valuable to their teams. Considering of the punishment they accept, the average career of a professional person halfback is very short.

Another terms used to describe running backs and their duties include:

• Tailback (TB): A running back, normally a halfback, who lines up backside the fullback in an I formation rather than next to him.
• Scat back: A term referring to a very shifty halfback.
• Blocking back: This usually refers to the fullback. A running back whose master task is blocking.
• H-Back: Non to be confused with halfback, an H-dorsum is a player who lines upwards in the backfield a step behind where the tight end lines upwardly. Ordinarily, a fullback or tight end plays this role in sets requiring an H-back.
• Wingback (WB): The wing back lines upwardly in the backfield a pace behind and to the exterior of the tight end.

Jersey Numbers

Under the new NFL jersey number rules for 2021, running backs are allowed to wear the numbers 1 through 49 and 80 through 89.

Wide Receiver

Along with defensive cornerbacks, wide receivers are ordinarily the fastest guys on the field. They must be active and quick enough to shake defenders who are trying to encompass them and be able to reliably catch the football.

NFL Wide Receiver Duties

The main chore of the wide receiver is to run downfield and catch passes. If a wide receiver can cake well it's a bonus, but they earn their pay for their receiving abilities. Some wide receivers may also serve equally punt or kick returners.

Types of Wide Receivers

There are three basic types of wide receiver, depending on where they line upward on the field:

• Carve up end (SE): Lines up on the line of scrimmage, except split out away from the linemen. They are considered one of the vii players on the line, and considering they are on the end of the line they are eligible to receive passes. In the diagram below, the wide receiver on the left of the formation is the split up end.
• Flanker (FL): Splits out wide like a split end, merely ane stride back. And then, technically they are in the backfield. In the diagram below, the wide receiver on the right of the formation is in the flanker position.
• Slot receivers (SL): Lines upwardly inside of another broad receiver. They become their proper name considering they are in the "slot" between a wide receiver and the line. They may be on or off the line, depending on the formation. In certain offensive formations where both wide receivers are on the aforementioned side of the field, the flanker lines upwardly in the slot position. In the diagram below, you'll see two slot receivers.

Concrete Attributes

• Decades agone, large, lanky receivers were the standard.
• Then the position morphed to where speed and quickness were almost valued, and small wide receivers flourished.
• In modern football, the best broad receivers are both large and fast.
• Designated slot receivers tend to be a little smaller.

Jersey Numbers

With the new jersey number rules, broad receivers may habiliment numbers i-49 and 80-89.

Where Receivers Line Up in Football

Tight End

Of the seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage, simply the ones on the ends of the line are allowed to run downfield and receive a pass. The tight terminate (TE) needs to have the power to block besides the finesse to run downfield and catch the football.

Lines up

• The classic tight stop lines upward at the end of the line, next to one of the tackles.
• In today's NFL, the tight cease may line up all over the place.
• Tights ends may split out like a wide receiver, or line up in a slot position.
• Tight ends may even line up in the backfield, as long as in that location are all the same seven players on the line.

NFL Tight Terminate Duties

• The position of tight end seems to undergo continual changes.
• With the popularity of more wide-open offenses featuring multiple wide receivers today, many teams are interested in tight ends who are good pass catchers.
• Tight ends must exist able to cake well, and some teams carry tight ends that are simply used when a good blocker is required.

Physical Attributes

• Historically, tight ends were usually alpine and strong with moderate speed.
• Now, in the modern NFL, at that place are some tight ends that expect more similar big broad receivers, with the speed to match.
• Other tight ends are bulkier and better at blocking on running plays.

Jersey Numbers

Similar wide receivers and running backs, under the new NFL jersey number rules tight ends are permitted to clothing jerseys with numbers betwixt i and 49, and 80 and 89.

Today'southward NFL tight ends are large, powerful receivers with surprising speed.

Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth / Public domain / via Wikimedia Commons

Kicker

Kicker (K) is mayhap the position easiest for European audiences to sympathize, cheers to the popularity of soccer and rugby. The kicker only kicks the ball, but his job is very important. Many a hard-fought football game has come downwards to the leg of the kicker.

Lines up

When boot field goals and extra points the kicker lines up in the backfield.

NFL Kicking Duties

The kicker kicks field goals, extra points, and kicks off. In modern football, he plays no other position.

Physical Attributes

• Physical size really doesn't matter.
• Kickers demand to have the leg power and accuracy to kick field goals from equally far a altitude as possible, but the well-nigh important quality of a kicker is reliability. A omnibus needs to know what his kicker is and isn't capable of so he can programme accordingly.

Bailiwick of jersey Number

Kickers may wear numbers ane-19.

In American football, the defense is tasked with stopping the opposing offense from scoring points. Given the athleticism and sophistication of modern offensive players, it's a tough chore. Successful defensive players must not merely rely on beast power and speed just as well have the intelligence to understand what the crime is trying to practise to them.

Information technology'south a myth that football is a game for large men with small IQs. Impaired players don't make it very far in American football, especially on defence force.

The eleven defenders may line upward anywhere they like, equally long as they are not across the line of scrimmage. But there are two common defensive schemes employed by nigh teams: the iv-iii and the 3-4. The 4-3 implies there are iv defensive linemen and three linebackers, while the iii-four means three linemen and 4 linebackers.

Teams commit to one scheme or the other, non just so they can focus on one style of defence force, but because slightly different personnel is required for each. However, with increasingly sophisticated offenses most teams will use a wide variety of schemes and personnel.

There are three master positions on defense, with a range of differences within each position. It all starts with the big guys upfront.

Defensive Positions in a 3-four Scheme

Defensive Linemen

The defensive linemen (DL) are the first stage of the defense, and the first men the crime must account for in their blocking schemes. Their responsibilities and where they line up are dependant on their verbal position and the type of defense force they play.

Lines Up

Directly beyond the ball from the offensive line. Defensive linemen unremarkably (just non ever) play from a 3 or iv-point stance, with their hand(s) on the ground.

Types of Defensive Linemen

In that location are several types of defensive linemen:

• Defensive tackles (DT): In a 4-3 set in that location are two defensive tackles. While their basic position is roughly across from the offensive guard, like all defensive players they shift around to many different positions in the same general area. Their chief chore is to preclude the other team from running the ball, but many are corking at rushing the quarterback as well. Good defensive tackles are capable of taking on several blockers at one time, jamming upward the center of the play, and keeping the offensive tackles off the inside linebackers.
• Olfactory organ tackle (NT): In three-four defenses there is only one defensive tackle lined upwardly in the centre called the olfactory organ tackle. Because he is alone in the heart, a nose tackle will get hit from all sides as an offense attempts to take him out of the play. But a good olfactory organ tackle can agree his footing, and become a game-long nightmare for the offense.
• Defensive end (DE): These players line up outside of the defensive tackles. They need to have the strength and ability to do battle with offensive linemen, only also the speed and quickness to chase down the quarterback on passing plays. In 3-4 defenses, defensive ends line upwardly closer to the middle of the line. In four-3 defenses, they are lined up outside the offensive tackles.

Physical Attributes

• Defensive linemen are huge, stiff guys, rivaled on the field merely by the offensive linemen. Withal, some physical characteristics are more than desirable for specific positions.
• Olfactory organ tackles are incredibly powerful, and a few even dwarf offensive linemen when it comes to size and strength.
• Defensive tackles in a 4-3 and ends in a 3-4 typically tip the scales around the 300-pound mark, with the strength to lucifer.
• Defensive ends who play in a four-3 tend to be slightly smaller, quicker players and congenital for pass rushing.

Jersey Numbers

Defensive linemen in the NFL are permitted to vesture numbers from 50-79 and 90-99.

Defensive Positions in a 4-3 Scheme

Linebacker

Linebackers (LB) are often the all-time accommodating athletes on the field, and much is asked of them. Their duties range from stopping the run, to chasing down the quarterback, to roofing speedy broad receivers. The exact responsibilities of a linebacker depend on his position and the defensive scheme.

Lines Upward

A couple of yards behind the defensive line, their exact location dependant on their position and duties. Linebackers usually play on their feet, but will occasionally take a three-point stance in laissez passer-rushing situations.

Types of NFL Linebackers

The different types of linebackers are:

• Within linebacker (ILB): In a 3-4 gear up there are two inside linebackers lined up beyond from the offensive guards, though over again their exact positions will shift throughout the game. They need to exist able to take on blockers 1-on-one, terminate running plays through the eye, and cover confronting the pass.
• Middle Linebacker (MLB): The middle linebacker's bones territory is beyond from the offensive centre in a 4-3 set. The middle linebacker is unremarkably the leader of the defence, the defensive equivalent of the quarterback. He needs to be a groovy tackler and take the speed to range beyond the field and brand plays.
• Outside Linebacker (OLB): Exterior 'backers can exist a bit smaller than within linebackers, and are ofttimes faster. In a four-3 they need to be well-rounded defenders, able to hunt downward the quarterback, play the run, cover the pass, and take on linemen. In a 3-4 the outside linebacker is frequently a primary laissez passer rusher, whose worth to the team is his ability to bring down the quarterback on passing plays.

Sam, Will, and Mike Linebackers

Many defensive schemes will designate a strong-side linebacker called the Sam, and a weak side 'backer called the Volition. The middle linebacker is often chosen the Mike linebacker.

Note : When you hear quarterbacks calling out the Mike linebacker before a play they aren't simply pointing out the guy who plays middle linebacker. They tin can see that past looking at the roster.

What they are doing is identifying a linebacker (or defensive back) in order to go a central reference for the play they are nearly to run.

Remember: Defensive players can and practise line upward all over the place. Identifying the Mike helps the offensive linemen focus their blocking scheme accordingly.

Concrete Attributes

• Linebackers in the NFL are mostly over half-dozen feet alpine and weigh between 220 and 270 pounds.
• Larger linebackers typically play in the middle, while smaller, quicker 'backers play outside.
• NFL linebackers are large, muscular guys who are extremely strong simply too very fast for their size.
• Linebackers have to be tough, and able to do battle with offensive linemen who may outweigh them by a hundred pounds.

Jersey Numbers

NFL linebackers may vesture numbers from 1-59 and 90-99 under the new NFL jersey rules for 2021.

Defensive Backs

Defensive backs (DB) are the final line of the defense. They demand to be speedy and tough, able to comprehend receivers and brand tackles against much larger players.

Lines up

Like linebackers and linemen, their specific location and duties depend on their position and the defensive scheme.

Types of NFL Defensive Backs

Here are the different types of defensive backs:

• Strong Safe (SS): In modern football game, the strong safety is almost like an extra linebacker. He may line up several yards in the defensive backfield, and he needs to exist fast enough to cover against the pass. But he'll besides find himself lined up close to the line more than any other defensive back. For this reason, he needs to be tough and fearless, able to take on bigger players.
• Costless Safety (FS): The complimentary safety is unremarkably the defensive player lined up the deepest. He needs to be able to encounter the whole field and make certain nobody gets backside him. The free safe is the thespian who calls out the signals for the other defensive backs before the play, letting them know their assignments. Costless safeties must be outstanding tacklers, as in that location is nobody between them and the cease zone.
• Cornerback (CB): In that location are 2 cornerbacks on the field in a base of operations defense, and they are lined up the widest. The job of the cornerback is primarily to cover broad receivers and cease them from communicable passes. Wide receivers and cornerbacks are the fastest players on the field, and these i-on-i matchups can exist epic. A practiced corner isn't afraid to tackle and will come up up the field to stop running plays around the outside of the line.
• Nickel back: This is a term for an extra defensive back. Ordinarily, at that place are four defensive backs, but in obvious passing situations, a team may take out a linebacker or lineman and put in a fifth defensive back. This player is referred to as the nickel back, and this position is usually played by a fill-in cornerback.

Concrete Attributes

• Defensive backs in the NFL tin exist relatively small players at cornerback, some standing several inches nether six feet and weighing less than 200 pounds.
• Safeties are more often than not larger, with some as big as linebackers.

Jersey Numbers

The new NFL rules will about defensive backs to wear bailiwick of jersey numbers betwixt i and 49.

NFL defensive backs are the concluding line of the defense and must be sure tacklers.

Karen Blaha [CC BY-SA ii.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Punter

The punter (P) is a specialist who only plays on punting downs.

Lines Up

The punter stands deep in the backfield and receives a long snap earlier punting the ball.

NFL Punter Duties

• Punt the brawl on fourth downwards, pinning the defense further away from your goal line.
• The punter must have a strong leg, and not only be able to kicking the ball far and accurately, but also high in the air so his team has a take chances to run downfield and make the tackle.

Physical Attributes

• Like the kicker, leg strength and accuracy are really what thing.
• Most punters tend to be tall, lanky guys.

Bailiwick of jersey Numbers

Punters wear numbers betwixt one and xix.

There are a few other positions y'all may notice while watching a football game. Often these positions are played past athletes who also play another position listed in a higher place.

• Boot Returner (KR) and Punt Returner (PR): The former catches and returns kickoffs, where the latter catches and returns punts. They must be good decision-makers under force per unit area, reliable receivers and ball carriers, and elusive open-field runners. Ordinarily, these positions are manned by wide receivers, running backs, and defensive backs.
• Long Snapper (LS): This role player takes the place of the center during punting downs, field goals, and extra points. In the olden days the starting middle would perform this duty, but today the long snapper is a specialist whose but job is to reliably snap the ball in punting and kicking situations.
• Holder: Holds the ball for field goals and extra points. This job is usually performed by the punter.

Learning the offensive and defensive positions and their responsibilities goes a long way toward agreement the strategy of the game of football. Many football fans and viewers never run into across the images that the dissemination companies wish to portray.

At that place is zip incorrect with that; football is an exciting game, filled with color and pageantry. Just the more than cognitive fan will come up to appreciate the intricacies of the game that go unseen by most.

An offensive lineman who plays a peachy game is seldom lauded in the media, but his work is no less important than any star quarterback.

A fullback who blasts open holes for his halfback but rarely touches the ball himself often goes unnoticed, only he is instrumental to the success of his team.

The best matchups in football are often those which wing nether the radar: The trench battle betwixt an elite offensive tackle and a promising immature defensive end. The career-long rivalry between a veteran wide receiver and veteran cornerback. The mind games betwixt an All-Pro quarterback and a great middle linebacker.

The sum of those victories wins football games, and a team counts on each of its players to come out on acme in those battles. Learning to spot these matchups tin can give you a ameliorate appreciation for the game.

Hopefully, this commodity has given you a good understanding of the offensive and defensive positions on an American football team. More importantly, perchance yous're off on a life-long journey as a football fan. If and so, you will not be disappointed.

Sumit on June 23, 2020:

Well arranged

JJ on April 24, 2020:

Brilliant article, thanks.

Anna Moore on February 03, 2020:

Very helpful, thank you.

DB28TD on January 01, 2020:

Thx for the info, very useful

Defensive Tackle and baby-sit on Nov 17, 2019:

Thanks for this info! I simply wanted to know more information about football and how it works in deep details

Pam AC Walker on September 26, 2019:

Cheers!

smithjoaroarry.blogspot.com

Source: https://howtheyplay.com/team-sports/Offensive-and-Defensive-Football-Positions-Explained

Share this post