Offense

• Quarterback (QB) – He calls the plays, initiates action and handles the “snap.” He either hands the ball to the running back or passes the ball to a receiver. He may also run with the ball.

• Running Back (RB) – Also known as the Halfback. Lining up either behind or beside the quarterback, he runs, catches and blocks. A running back is normally a player who is a quick runner and thrives on contact.

• Fullback (FB) – A heartier version of the RB, but in the modern game usually more of a lead blocker out of the backfield. Fullbacks are normally good runners with exceptional strength.

• Offensive Line – There are five offensive linemen. In order from left to right, they are: the Left Tackle (LT), Left Guard (LG), Center (C), Right Guard (RG) and Right Tackle (RT). It is their job to either pass block for the QB so he has time to throw or run block for the RB or FB. Most of the time, with the exception of the Center “snapping” the ball to the QB, offensive linemen do not touch the ball. The offensive line is usually made up of the biggest, strongest players on the team.

• Wide Receivers (WR) – Wide receivers are pass catchers. They start the play split out wide from the rest of the formation, at or near the line of scrimmage (an imaginary line that extends from sideline to sideline at the point where the ball is placed) and run pass routes awaiting a pass from the QB. On running plays, they will throw blocks and occasionally take a handoff.

• Tight End (TE) – This player is a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive lineman. Generally, he lines up next to the LT or RT or he can “split out” like a wide receiver. His duties include blocking for both the quarterback and the running back.

Defense

• ​Defensive Line – This is the first line of defense and consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line. They are two Defensive Ends (DE) on either side and one or two Defensive Tackles (DT). Their job is to shed the blocks of the offensive linemen and tackle ball carriers.

• Linebacker (LB) – Depending on the defensive alignment, there are usually three or four on the field. Outside linebackers (OLB) stand to the sides of the DEs and Inside linebackers (ILB) or middle linebackers (MLB) stand behind the DTs. LBs are usually responsible for shadowing RBs, TEs and sometimes WRs; rushing the passer and tackling ball carriers.

• Cornerback (CB) – They support the run, and might be asked to blitz the QB, but spend most of their time covering wide receivers. This means they try to break up passes, tackle players who catch passes, and try to intercept passes coming their way. There are usually two to four CBs on the field at a time.

• Safety (S) – The strong safety (SS) is usually responsible for covering TEs, RBs, and WRs and playing down the field but are often expected to come up in run support. The Free Safety (FS) has similar duties but is commonly considered the center fielder, and thus the last line of the defense.

Special Teams

• ​Kicker (K) – The kicker is responsible for kickoffs and field goals.

• Punter (P) – The punter is responsible for kicking the ball away if the offense fails to get a first down.

• Return Specialists – There are two types of return specialists: Kick Returner (KR) and Punt Returner (PR). These are the players the punter and kicker are kicking to on punts and kickoffs.

• Long Snapper (LS) – The long snapper begins plays for the kicker and the punter. The long snapper is responsible for “snapping” the ball back to the punter for a punt or a field goal attempt.