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class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Offensive_line_(OL)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>Offensive line (OL)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Offensive_line_(OL)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Center_(C)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Center_(C)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1.1</span> <span>Center (C)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Center_(C)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Offensive_guard_(OG)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Offensive_guard_(OG)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1.2</span> <span>Offensive guard (OG)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Offensive_guard_(OG)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Offensive_tackle_(OT)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Offensive_tackle_(OT)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1.3</span> <span>Offensive tackle (OT)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Offensive_tackle_(OT)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Skill_positions" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Skill_positions"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2</span> <span>Skill positions</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Skill_positions-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Quarterback_(QB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Quarterback_(QB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2.1</span> <span>Quarterback (QB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Quarterback_(QB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Backs_(RB/HB/FB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Backs_(RB/HB/FB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2.2</span> <span>Backs (RB/HB/FB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Backs_(RB/HB/FB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Wide_receiver_(WR)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Wide_receiver_(WR)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2.3</span> <span>Wide receiver (WR)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Wide_receiver_(WR)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Tight_end_(TE)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Tight_end_(TE)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2.4</span> <span>Tight end (TE)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Tight_end_(TE)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Defense" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defense"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Defense</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Defense-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Defense subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Defense-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Defensive_line_(DL)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defensive_line_(DL)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>Defensive line (DL)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Defensive_line_(DL)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Defensive_tackle_(DT)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defensive_tackle_(DT)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.1</span> <span>Defensive tackle (DT)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Defensive_tackle_(DT)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Nose_tackle_(NT)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Nose_tackle_(NT)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.2</span> <span>Nose tackle (NT)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Nose_tackle_(NT)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Defensive_end_(DE)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defensive_end_(DE)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.3</span> <span>Defensive end (DE)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Defensive_end_(DE)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Linebackers_(LB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Linebackers_(LB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Linebackers (LB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Linebackers_(LB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Middle_linebacker_(MLB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Middle_linebacker_(MLB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.1</span> <span>Middle linebacker (MLB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Middle_linebacker_(MLB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Outside_linebacker_(OLB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Outside_linebacker_(OLB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.2</span> <span>Outside linebacker (OLB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Outside_linebacker_(OLB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Defensive_backs_(DB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Defensive_backs_(DB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3</span> <span>Defensive backs (DB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Defensive_backs_(DB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Cornerback_(CB)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Cornerback_(CB)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3.1</span> <span>Cornerback (CB)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Cornerback_(CB)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Nickelback_/_dimeback" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Nickelback_/_dimeback"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3.2</span> <span>Nickelback / dimeback</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Nickelback_/_dimeback-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Safety_(S)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Safety_(S)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.3.3</span> <span>Safety (S)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Safety_(S)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Special_teams" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Special_teams"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Special teams</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Special_teams-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Special teams subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Special_teams-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Placekicker_(K)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Placekicker_(K)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.1</span> <span>Placekicker (K)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Placekicker_(K)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Punter_(P)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Punter_(P)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.2</span> <span>Punter (P)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Punter_(P)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Holder_(H)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Holder_(H)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.3</span> <span>Holder (H)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Holder_(H)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Long_snapper_(LS)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Long_snapper_(LS)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.4</span> <span>Long snapper (LS)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Long_snapper_(LS)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Kick_returner_(KR)_and_punt_returner_(PR)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Kick_returner_(KR)_and_punt_returner_(PR)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.5</span> <span>Kick returner (KR) and punt returner (PR)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Kick_returner_(KR)_and_punt_returner_(PR)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Upback_/_personal_protector" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Upback_/_personal_protector"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.6</span> <span>Upback / personal protector</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Upback_/_personal_protector-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Gunner" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Gunner"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.7</span> <span>Gunner</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Gunner-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Jammer" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Jammer"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.8</span> <span>Jammer</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Jammer-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Notes" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Notes"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Notes</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Notes-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" title="Table of Contents" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-listBullet mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-listBullet"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">Toggle the table of contents</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">American football positions</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 14 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-14" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">14 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ca mw-list-item"><a href="https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%ADnia_defensiva" title="Línia defensiva – Catalan" lang="ca" hreflang="ca" data-title="Línia defensiva" data-language-autonym="Català" data-language-local-name="Catalan" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Català</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posiciones_de_f%C3%BAtbol_americano" title="Posiciones de fútbol americano – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Posiciones de fútbol americano" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Position_(football_am%C3%A9ricain)" title="Position (football américain) – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Position (football américain)" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posizioni_del_football_americano" title="Posizioni del football americano – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Posizioni del football americano" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Italiano</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-he mw-list-item"><a href="https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A2%D7%9E%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%98%D7%91%D7%95%D7%9C" title="עמדות פוטבול – Hebrew" lang="he" hreflang="he" data-title="עמדות פוטבול" data-language-autonym="עברית" data-language-local-name="Hebrew" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>עברית</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hu mw-list-item"><a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikaifutball-poz%C3%ADci%C3%B3k" title="Amerikaifutball-pozíciók – Hungarian" lang="hu" hreflang="hu" data-title="Amerikaifutball-pozíciók" data-language-autonym="Magyar" data-language-local-name="Hungarian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Magyar</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AB%E3%83%B3%E3%83%95%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%9C%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%81%AE%E3%83%9D%E3%82%B8%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3" title="アメリカンフットボールのポジション – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="アメリカンフットボールのポジション" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-no mw-list-item"><a href="https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posisjoner_i_amerikansk_fotball" title="Posisjoner i amerikansk fotball – Norwegian Bokmål" lang="nb" hreflang="nb" data-title="Posisjoner i amerikansk fotball" data-language-autonym="Norsk bokmål" data-language-local-name="Norwegian Bokmål" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Norsk bokmål</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pl mw-list-item"><a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_team" title="Special team – Polish" lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Special team" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Polski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posi%C3%A7%C3%B5es_no_futebol_americano" title="Posições no futebol americano – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Posições no futebol americano" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8_%D0%B8%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2_%D0%B2_%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC_%D1%84%D1%83%D1%82%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5" title="Позиции игроков в американском футболе – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Позиции игроков в американском футболе" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fi mw-list-item"><a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikkalaisen_jalkapallon_pelipaikat" title="Amerikkalaisen jalkapallon pelipaikat – Finnish" lang="fi" hreflang="fi" data-title="Amerikkalaisen jalkapallon pelipaikat" data-language-autonym="Suomi" data-language-local-name="Finnish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Suomi</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tr mw-list-item"><a href="https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amerikan_futbolu_mevkileri" title="Amerikan futbolu mevkileri – Turkish" lang="tr" hreflang="tr" data-title="Amerikan futbolu mevkileri" data-language-autonym="Türkçe" data-language-local-name="Turkish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Türkçe</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-zh mw-list-item"><a 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Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.<br /><small><span class="plainlinks"><i>Find sources:</i> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22American+football+positions%22">"American football positions"</a> – <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22American+football+positions%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1">news</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22American+football+positions%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks">newspapers</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22American+football+positions%22+-wikipedia">books</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22American+football+positions%22">scholar</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22American+football+positions%22&acc=on&wc=on">JSTOR</a></span></small></span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">July 2024</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:American_Football_Positions.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/American_Football_Positions.svg/400px-American_Football_Positions.svg.png" decoding="async" width="400" height="222" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/American_Football_Positions.svg/600px-American_Football_Positions.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/American_Football_Positions.svg/800px-American_Football_Positions.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="604" data-file-height="335" /></a><figcaption>A diagram showing an <a href="/wiki/I_formation" title="I formation">I formation</a> on offense and a <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4-3 formation</a> on defense</figcaption></figure> <p>In <a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American football</a>, the specific role that a player takes on the field is referred to as their position. Under the modern rules of American football, both teams are allowed 11 players<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> on the field at one time and have "unlimited free substitutions", meaning that they may change any number of players during any dead ball situation.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>a<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> This has resulted in the development of three task-specific "platoons" of players within any single team: the offense (the team with possession of the ball, which is trying to score), the defense (the team trying to prevent the other team from scoring, and to take the ball from them), and special teams, who play in all kicking situations. Within these three separate platoons, various positions exist depending on the jobs that the players are doing. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Offense">Offense</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Offense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In American football, the offense is the team that has possession of the ball and is advancing toward the opponent's end zone to score points. The eleven players of the offense can be separated into two main groups: the five <a href="/wiki/Offensive_linemen" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive linemen">offensive linemen</a>, whose primary job is to <a href="/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)" title="Blocking (American football)">block</a> opponents and protect their <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a>, and the other six backs and receivers, whose primary job is to move the ball down the field by either <a href="/wiki/Rush_(gridiron_football)" title="Rush (gridiron football)">running</a> with it or <a href="/wiki/Forward_pass" title="Forward pass">passing</a> it. </p><p>The rules of the sport strictly mandate the organization of the offense: there must be at least seven players on the <a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">line of scrimmage</a> and no more than four players, known collectively as backs, behind it. The only players eligible to handle the ball during a normal play are the backs and the two players on the end of the line, known as the ends. These players make up the <a href="/wiki/Skill_position" title="Skill position">skill positions</a> and are also referred to as <a href="/wiki/Eligible_receiver" title="Eligible receiver">eligible receivers</a> or eligible ball carriers. The remaining players, known as interior linemen, are ineligible to catch forward passes. Within these structures, however, creative coaches have developed a wide array of offensive <a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">formations</a> to take advantage of different player skills and game situations. </p><p>The following positions are standard in nearly every game, though different teams will use different arrangements of them, dependent on their individual game plans.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Offensive_line_(OL)"><span id="Offensive_line_.28OL.29"></span>Offensive line (OL)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Offensive line (OL)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG/220px-2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG/330px-2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d4/2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG/440px-2006_UT_football_fall_scrimmage.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3456" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>The offensive line (on left, in orange <a href="/wiki/Jersey_(sport)" class="mw-redirect" title="Jersey (sport)">jerseys</a>) consists of a <a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">center</a> (with ball in hand ready to snap) with two <a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">guards</a> on either side, and two <a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">tackles</a></figcaption></figure> <p>The offensive line is primarily responsible for blocking the defensive line of the opposition, in order to protect their own quarterback. During normal play, <a href="/wiki/Offensive_linemen" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive linemen">offensive linemen</a> do not handle the ball, (aside from the snap from center, unless the ball is <a href="/wiki/Fumble" title="Fumble">fumbled</a> by a ball carrier, a pass is deflected, or a player who is normally an offensive lineman takes a different position on the field. The offensive line consists of: </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Center_(C)"><span id="Center_.28C.29"></span>Center (C)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Center (C)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">center</a> is the player who begins the <a href="/wiki/Play_from_scrimmage" title="Play from scrimmage">play from scrimmage</a> by <a href="/wiki/Snap_(gridiron_football)" title="Snap (gridiron football)">snapping</a> the ball to the quarterback. As the name suggests, the center usually plays in the middle of the offensive line, though some teams may employ an unbalanced line where the center is offset to one side. Like all offensive linemen, the center has the responsibility to block defensive players. The center often also has the responsibility to call out blocking assignments and make last second adjustments depending on the defensive alignment. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Offensive_guard_(OG)"><span id="Offensive_guard_.28OG.29"></span>Offensive guard (OG)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Offensive guard (OG)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Two <a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">guards</a> line up directly on opposite sides of the center. 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, during which the guard comes out of their position in line to lead block for a ball carrier, on plays known as <a href="/wiki/Trap_run" title="Trap run">traps</a> (for inside runs), <a href="/wiki/Sweep_(American_football)" title="Sweep (American football)">sweeps</a> for outside runs, and <a href="/wiki/Screen_pass" title="Screen pass">screens</a> for passing plays. In such cases, the guard is referred to as a pulling guard. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Offensive_tackle_(OT)"><span id="Offensive_tackle_.28OT.29"></span>Offensive tackle (OT)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Offensive tackle (OT)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Two <a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">tackles</a> play outside 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 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 quarterback from being hit from behind, known as the blind side, and this is usually the most skilled player on the offensive line. Like a guard, the tackle may have to pull, on a running play, when there is a tight end on their side. Tackles typically have a taller, longer build than interior offensive linemen, due to the need to keep separation from defensive linemen in pass blocking situations. They also tend to have quick footwork skills, often engaging against containing or rushing defensive ends. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Skill_positions">Skill positions</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Skill positions"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Offensive positions that handle the ball and are primarily responsible for advancing yards and scoring points are known as the <a href="/wiki/Skill_position" title="Skill position">skill positions</a>. They include quarterbacks, backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Quarterback_(QB)"><span id="Quarterback_.28QB.29"></span>Quarterback (QB)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Quarterback (QB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> is the player who receives the ball from the center to start the play. Considered the most influential position on the offensive side because his team's progress down the field is dependent on his success, the quarterback is responsible for receiving the play from the coaches on the sideline and communicating the play to the other offensive players in the <a href="/wiki/Huddle" title="Huddle">huddle</a>, and serves as the leader of the team's passing game. The quarterback may need to make late changes to the intended play at the line of scrimmage, known as an audible, depending on the defensive alignment. At the start of the play, the quarterback may be lined up in one of three positions. If he is positioned directly behind and in contact with the center and receives the ball via the direct hand-to-hand pass, he is said to be "under center". Alternatively, if he is lined up some distance behind the center, he is said to be either in <a href="/wiki/Shotgun_formation" title="Shotgun formation">shotgun formation</a> or in <a href="/wiki/Pistol_formation" class="mw-redirect" title="Pistol formation">pistol formation</a> with shotgun generally further back than pistol. Upon receiving the ball from the center, the quarterback has three basic options to advance the ball: he may run the ball himself (most commonly referred to as <a href="/wiki/Quarterback_scramble" title="Quarterback scramble">scrambling</a>), he may hand it to another eligible ball carrier to run with it, or he may execute a <a href="/wiki/Forward_pass" title="Forward pass">forward pass</a> to a player further up the field. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Backs_(RB/HB/FB)"><span id="Backs_.28RB.2FHB.2FFB.29"></span>Backs (RB/HB/FB)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Backs (RB/HB/FB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">Running backs</a> are players who line up behind the offensive line in a position to receive a hand-off from the quarterback and execute a <a href="/wiki/Rush_(gridiron_football)" title="Rush (gridiron football)">rushing play</a>. Anywhere from zero to three running backs may be utilized on a play, a formation with no running backs often called an empty backfield. Depending on where they line up and what role they have, running backs come in several varieties. The tailback, also known as the <a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">halfback</a>, is often a team's primary ball carrier on rushing plays. They may also catch passes, often acting as a check-down or safety valve when all other receivers on a pass play are covered. A wing-back or a slot-back is a term for a running back who lines up behind the line of scrimmage outside the tackle or tight end on either side of the offensive line. Slot-backs are usually only found in certain offensive alignments, such as the <a href="/wiki/Flexbone_formation" title="Flexbone formation">flexbone formation</a>. There also exists a similar position, known as the <a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a>, which is actually considered a modification of the normal tight end position. </p><p>The <a href="/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Fullback (American football)">fullback</a> is often larger and stronger than the tailback and acts primarily as a blocker, though the fullback may also be used for catching passes or for rushing as a tailback does. Fullbacks often line up closer to the line of scrimmage than tailbacks do in order to block for them on rushing plays. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Wide_receiver_(WR)"><span id="Wide_receiver_.28WR.29"></span>Wide receiver (WR)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Wide receiver (WR)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg/220px-2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="144" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg/330px-2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg/440px-2007_Hawaii_Bowl_-_Boise_State_University_vs_East_Carolina_University_-_BSU_offense.jpg 2x" data-file-width="986" data-file-height="646" /></a><figcaption>A wide receiver (No. 87, in white) begins a play in the flanker position</figcaption></figure> <p><a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">Wide receivers</a> are pass-catching specialists. Typically fast and tall, their main job is to run pass routes and get open (i.e. find a position with no near defender) for passes, although they are occasionally called on to block. Wide receivers generally line up split wide near the sidelines at the start of the play. Wide receivers, like running backs, come in different varieties depending on exactly where they line up. A wide receiver who is directly on the line of scrimmage is called a split end and is counted among the seven required players on the line of scrimmage. A wide receiver who lines up behind the line, and counts as one of the four backs, is called the flanker. A wide receiver who lines up between the outermost wide receiver and the offensive line is said to be in the slot and is called the slot receiver. A wide receiver who can play running back is called a wide back. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Tight_end_(TE)"><span id="Tight_end_.28TE.29"></span>Tight end (TE)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Tight end (TE)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">Tight ends</a> play on either side of the offensive line and directly next to the tackles. Tight ends are considered hybrid players because they are a cross between a wide receiver and an offensive lineman. Because they play next to the other offensive linemen, they are very frequently called on to block, especially on running plays. However, because they are eligible receivers, they may also catch passes. The position known as the <a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a> is a tight end who lines up behind the line of scrimmage, and is thus counted as one of the four backs, but their role is otherwise similar to that of other tight ends. </p><p>Depending on the style of offense the coaches have designed, the game situation, and the relative skill sets of the players, teams may run formations that contain any number of running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, so long as the mandated four backs and seven on the line rule is followed. For many years, the standard set consisted of the quarterback, two running backs (a tailback/halfback and a fullback), two wide receivers (a flanker and a split end) and a tight end. Modern teams show a wide variety of formations, from a <a href="/wiki/T_formation" title="T formation">full house</a> formation with three running backs, two tight ends, and no wide receivers, to spread formations featuring four or five wide receivers and either one or no running backs. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Defense">Defense</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Defense"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The defensive team, simply known as the <b>defense</b>, is the team that begins a <a href="/wiki/Play_from_scrimmage" title="Play from scrimmage">play from scrimmage</a> without possession of the ball. The objective of the defensive team is to prevent the other team from scoring and win possession of the ball for their side. The defense accomplishes this by forcing the offense to turn the ball over by either preventing them from achieving a <a href="/wiki/Down_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Down (football)">first down</a> and forcing them to punt, forcing and recovering an offensive <a href="/wiki/Fumble" title="Fumble">fumble</a>, <a href="/wiki/Interception" title="Interception">intercepting</a> a pass, or more rarely, forcing a <a href="/wiki/Turnover_on_downs" title="Turnover on downs">turnover on downs</a>. </p><p>Unlike the offensive team, the rules of the sport do not restrict the defensive team into certain positions. A defensive player may line up anywhere on his side of the line of scrimmage and perform any legal action. Over time, however, defensive roles have become defined into three main sets of players that encompass several individual positions. </p><p>Defensive formations are often known by a numerical code indicating the number of players at each position. The two most common formations are the <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a> and the <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 defense</a>, where the first number refers to the number of defensive linemen, and the second number refers to the number of linebackers (the number of defensive backs can be inferred, since there must be eleven players on the field). Thus, a 3–4 defense consists of three defensive linemen (usually a nose tackle and two defensive ends), four linebackers, and four defensive backs (two cornerbacks, a strong safety, and a free safety). Some defensive formations will directly indicate the number of defensive backs. The <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%933%E2%80%935_defense" title="3–3–5 defense">3–3–5 defense</a>, for instance, has 3 defensive linemen, 3 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs.Source:<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Defensive_line_(DL)"><span id="Defensive_line_.28DL.29"></span>Defensive line (DL)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Defensive line (DL)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:2008_ECU_NC_State_football_snap_cropped_and_cropped_again..jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d8/2008_ECU_NC_State_football_snap_cropped_and_cropped_again..jpg/220px-2008_ECU_NC_State_football_snap_cropped_and_cropped_again..jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="214" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/2008_ECU_NC_State_football_snap_cropped_and_cropped_again..jpg 1.5x" data-file-width="301" data-file-height="293" /></a><figcaption>The four defensive linemen (in red) have their hands on the ground in a three point stance.</figcaption></figure> <p>Like their offensive counterparts, <a href="/wiki/Defensive_linemen" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive linemen">defensive linemen</a> (also called rushers) line up directly on the line of scrimmage. There are three positions usually considered part of the defensive line: </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Defensive_tackle_(DT)"><span id="Defensive_tackle_.28DT.29"></span>Defensive tackle (DT)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Defensive tackle (DT)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Sometimes called a defensive guard, <a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">defensive tackles</a> play at the center of the defensive line. Their function is to rush the passer and stop running plays directed at the middle of the line of scrimmage. Most defensive sets have one or two defensive tackles. If one employs a second defensive tackle, sometimes referred to as an under tackle, they are usually a bit faster than the nose tackle. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Nose_tackle_(NT)"><span id="Nose_tackle_.28NT.29"></span>Nose tackle (NT)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Nose tackle (NT)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Sometimes called a middle guard, or nose guard, <a href="/wiki/Nose_tackle" class="mw-redirect" title="Nose tackle">nose tackles</a> play in the center of the defensive line. Their function is to clog the middle of the offense's line and stop most run plays (more commonly fullback dives, plunges and sneaks). They line up directly in front of the offense's center, almost nose-to-nose, hence the name. This position is used in 3-4 formations, or goal line situations. </p><p>Most nose tackles are 320-350 pounds, and are the biggest players on the roster. This position is the most physically demanding, due to being forced into constant double or triple teams, and needing enough speed to collapse the interior of the offensive line. Sometimes, nose tackles are used in 4-3 defenses and are either positioned on the quarterbacks blind side, or directly in front of the center. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Defensive_end_(DE)"><span id="Defensive_end_.28DE.29"></span>Defensive end (DE)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Defensive end (DE)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">Defensive ends</a> line up outside of the defensive tackles and are the ends of the defensive line. Their function is to attack the passer or stop offensive runs to the outer edges of the line of scrimmage, which is often referred to as containment. The faster of the two is usually placed on the right side of the defensive line (quarterback's left) because that is a right-handed quarterback's blind side. </p><p>Defensive linemen will often take a stance with one or both of their hands on the ground before the ball is snapped. These are known as a <a href="/wiki/Three-point_stance" title="Three-point stance">three-point stance</a> and four-point stance, respectively, and this helps distinguish a defensive lineman from a linebacker, who begins in a two-point stance (i.e. without a hand touching the ground). </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Linebackers_(LB)"><span id="Linebackers_.28LB.29"></span>Linebackers (LB)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Linebackers (LB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG/220px-Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="130" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG/330px-Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG/440px-Virginia_Tech_vs_Boston_College_20051027_presnap.JPG 2x" data-file-width="855" data-file-height="506" /></a><figcaption>This defense (in white) is in a base <a href="/wiki/4%E2%80%933_defense" title="4–3 defense">4–3 set</a>. Just behind the four defensive linemen (whose hands are on the ground) are three linebackers (numbers 55, 3, and 16), and further back are two safeties (numbers 24 and 44). The two cornerbacks are off screen to the left and right.</figcaption></figure> <p><a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">Linebackers</a> play behind the defensive line and perform various duties depending on the situation, including rushing the passer, covering receivers, and defending against the run. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Middle_linebacker_(MLB)"><span id="Middle_linebacker_.28MLB.29"></span>Middle linebacker (MLB)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Middle linebacker (MLB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Sometimes called the inside linebacker, especially in a <a href="/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense" title="3–4 defense">3–4 defense</a>, and known colloquially as <b>the Mike</b> linebacker, the middle linebacker is often known as the quarterback of the defense, since they are frequently the primary defensive play callers and must react to a wide variety of situations. Middle linebackers must be capable of stopping running backs who make it past the defensive line, covering pass plays over the middle, and rushing the quarterback on <a href="/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Blitz (American football)">blitz plays</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Outside_linebacker_(OLB)"><span id="Outside_linebacker_.28OLB.29"></span>Outside linebacker (OLB)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Outside linebacker (OLB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Outside linebackers are given different names depending on their role and the philosophy of the team. Some teams keep their outside linebackers on the same side of the field at all times while others define them as playing on either the strongside (SLB) or the weakside (WLB). The strongside, or <b>Sam</b>, linebacker lines up on the same side as the offensive <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">tight end</a> and often is responsible for covering the tight end or running back on pass plays. The weakside, or <b>Will</b>, linebacker lines up on the side of the offensive line without a tight end and is often used to rush, or <a href="/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Blitz (American football)">blitz</a>, the quarterback or to cover a running back on pass plays. Some are occasionally referred to as <a href="/wiki/Edge_rusher" title="Edge rusher">edge rushers</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Defensive_backs_(DB)"><span id="Defensive_backs_.28DB.29"></span>Defensive backs (DB)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Defensive backs (DB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Defensive_back" title="Defensive back">Defensive backs</a>, also known as the secondary, play either behind the linebackers or outside near the sidelines and are primarily used to defend against pass plays. They also act as the last line of defense on running plays and need to be able to make open field tackles, especially when the ball carrier has gotten past the other defenders. A normal defensive lineup includes two cornerbacks and two safeties, though specialty defensive backs (nickelbacks and dime backs) can be brought in in place of linebackers and defensive linemen when there is a need to cover additional receivers. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Cornerback_(CB)"><span id="Cornerback_.28CB.29"></span>Cornerback (CB)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Cornerback (CB)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Cornerback" title="Cornerback">Cornerbacks</a> attempt to prevent successful passes by either swatting the airborne ball away from the receiver or by <a href="/wiki/Interception" title="Interception">catching the pass themselves</a>. In rushing situations, their job is to contain the runner, either by directing them back to the middle of the field to be tackled by the middle line backers, or by forcing them out of bounds. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Nickelback_/_dimeback"><span id="Nickelback_.2F_dimeback"></span>Nickelback / dimeback</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Nickelback / dimeback"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In certain formations, the defense may remove a linebacker or a defensive lineman to bring in extra pass coverage in the form of extra defensive backs. A formation with five defensive backs is often called a nickel formation, and the fifth (extra) defensive back is called a <a href="/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)" title="Nickelback (American football)">nickelback</a> after the <a href="/wiki/Nickel_(United_States_coin)" title="Nickel (United States coin)">U.S. nickel coin</a>, a five-cent piece. By extension, a formation with a sixth defensive back, known as the <a href="/wiki/Dimeback" title="Dimeback">dimeback</a>, is called a dime package because it employs a second nickelback and the <a href="/wiki/Dime_(United_States_coin)" title="Dime (United States coin)">U.S. 10-cent dime coin</a> is equal to two nickels. Although it is a rare occurrence, a team may also use seven or eight defensive backs on a play. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Safety_(S)"><span id="Safety_.28S.29"></span>Safety (S)</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Safety (S)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Safety (gridiron football position)">safeties</a> are the last line of defense (furthest from the line of scrimmage) and usually help the corners with deep-pass coverage. The <i>strong safety</i> (SS) is traditionally the larger and stronger of the two, providing extra protection against run plays by standing closer to the line of scrimmage, usually on the strong (tight end) side of the field. The <i>free safety</i> (FS) is often the smaller and faster of the two, and is typically the deepest player on the defense, providing help on long pass plays. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Special_teams">Special teams</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: Special teams"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">"Special teams" redirects here. For the ice hockey definition, see <a href="/wiki/Power_play_(sporting_term)" class="mw-redirect" title="Power play (sporting term)">Power play (sporting term)</a> and <a href="/wiki/Short_handed" class="mw-redirect" title="Short handed">Short handed</a>.</div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Falcons_369.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Falcons_369.jpg/220px-Falcons_369.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Falcons_369.jpg/330px-Falcons_369.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Falcons_369.jpg/440px-Falcons_369.jpg 2x" data-file-width="6000" data-file-height="4000" /></a><figcaption>A placekicker, <a href="/wiki/Younghoe_Koo" title="Younghoe Koo">Younghoe Koo</a> (No. 7) with the <a href="/wiki/Atlanta_Falcons" title="Atlanta Falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>, prepares to kick the ball from the hand of a holder (<a href="/wiki/Cameron_Nizialek" title="Cameron Nizialek">Cameron Nizialek</a>, No. 9).</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG/220px-Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG/330px-Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG/440px-Shane_Lechler_punts_at_Falcons_at_Raiders_11-2-08.JPG 2x" data-file-width="2288" data-file-height="1712" /></a><figcaption><a href="/wiki/Shane_Lechler" title="Shane Lechler">Shane Lechler</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Oakland_Raiders" title="Oakland Raiders">Oakland Raiders</a> punting the ball, 2008</figcaption></figure> <p>Special teams are units that are on the field during kicking plays. While many players who appear on offensive or defensive squads also play similar roles on special teams (offensive linemen to block or defensive players to tackle), there are some specialist roles that are unique to the kicking game. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Placekicker_(K)"><span id="Placekicker_.28K.29"></span>Placekicker (K)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Placekicker (K)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">Placekickers</a>, colloquially called simply a kicker, handle <a href="/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Kickoff (American football)">kickoffs</a>, <a href="/wiki/Conversion_(gridiron_football)" title="Conversion (gridiron football)">extra points</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Field_goal_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Field goal (football)">field goals</a>. All three situations require the kicker to kick the ball off the ground, either from the hands of a holder or off a <a href="/wiki/Kicking_tee" class="mw-redirect" title="Kicking tee">tee</a>. Some teams employ two kickers: one kicks extra points and field goals.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (February 2025)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> Most, however, use a single kicker for both jobs, and rarely, the same player may also <a href="/wiki/Punt_(gridiron_football)" title="Punt (gridiron football)">punt</a>. </p><p><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_specialist" title="Kickoff specialist">Kickoff specialists</a> are kickers used exclusively on <a href="/wiki/Kickoff_(gridiron_football)" title="Kickoff (gridiron football)">kickoffs</a>. In most cases, the team's regular kicker or punter performs the role. Teams may employ pure kickoff specialists if they feel neither are good enough at kickoffs. Due to their specialized nature and the limited number of active roster spots, kickoff specialist are rare. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Punter_(P)"><span id="Punter_.28P.29"></span>Punter (P)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: Punter (P)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Punter_(gridiron_football)" title="Punter (gridiron football)">punter</a> punts the ball in order to relinquish possession to the defensive team and to send the ball as far downfield as possible. This is usually done only on fourth down. The punter usually lines up 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. However, this distance has to be shortened when it would result in being on or behind the end line. After receiving the snap, the punter drops the football and kicks, or punts, it through the air. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Holder_(H)"><span id="Holder_.28H.29"></span>Holder (H)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Holder (H)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Holder_(gridiron_football)" title="Holder (gridiron football)">Holder (gridiron football)</a></div> <p>The holder is usually positioned 7–8<span class="nowrap"> </span>yards from the <a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">line of scrimmage</a> and holds the ball for the placekicker to kick. The player occupying this position is often a backup quarterback or a punter because of their good hands, feel for the ball, and experience taking snaps from a long snapper or center during plays from scrimmage. A holder is occasionally used on kickoffs if the weather or field conditions repeatedly cause the ball to fall off the tee. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Long_snapper_(LS)"><span id="Long_snapper_.28LS.29"></span>Long snapper (LS)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: Long snapper (LS)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">long snapper</a> is a specialized <a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">center</a> who <a href="/wiki/Football_snap" class="mw-redirect" title="Football snap">snaps</a> the ball directly to the holder or punter. They are usually distinct from a regular center, as the ball often has to be snapped much further back on kicking plays than on standard offensive plays. Long snappers are generally the size of <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">tight ends</a> or <a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">linebackers</a>, as they not only have to be big enough to block for the punter or kicker, but also athletic enough to run down the field on coverage to try to tackle the return man. In the past, long snappers were often backup players, but nowadays this position is usually played by dedicated long snappers. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Kick_returner_(KR)_and_punt_returner_(PR)"><span id="Kick_returner_.28KR.29_and_punt_returner_.28PR.29"></span>Kick returner (KR) and punt returner (PR)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=28" title="Edit section: Kick returner (KR) and punt returner (PR)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Return_specialist" title="Return specialist">Return specialists</a> are responsible for catching kicked balls (either on kickoffs or punts) and running the ball back. These are usually among the fastest players on a team and typically play either wide receiver or cornerback, as well. However, due to the relatively high likelihood of injury during kick returns, most professional teams will not regularly use their very best WRs or CBs as returners. Teams may also use the same player for both return positions or have a specific returner for <a href="/wiki/Punt_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Punt returner">punts</a> and another for <a href="/wiki/Kick_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Kick returner">kickoffs</a>. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Upback_/_personal_protector"><span id="Upback_.2F_personal_protector"></span>Upback / personal protector</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=29" title="Edit section: Upback / personal protector"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Upback" title="Upback">upback</a>, also known as the <b>personal protector</b>, is a blocking back who lines up approximately 1–3 yards behind the line of scrimmage in punting situations. Because the punter plays so far back, the back frequently makes the line calls and lets the long snapper know when the punter is ready to receive the ball. Their primary role is to act as the last line of defense for the punter; however, upbacks occasionally receive the snap instead on fake punts and will either pass or run with the football in those situations. Upbacks are usually played by backup running backs or linebackers. The upback, along with the punter, are usually the last lines of defense to prevent an opponent from returning a punt for a touchdown. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Gunner">Gunner</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=30" title="Edit section: Gunner"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>A <a href="/wiki/Gunner_(American_football)" title="Gunner (American football)">gunner</a> is a player on kickoffs and punts who specializes in running down the field very quickly in an attempt to tackle the returner. They usually line up near the sidelines where there will be fewer blockers which allows them to get down the field quickly. Wide receivers and cornerbacks often fill the role as gunner. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Jammer">Jammer</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=31" title="Edit section: Jammer"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><a href="/wiki/Jammer_(American_football)" title="Jammer (American football)">Jammers</a> try to slow down gunners during punts or kickoffs so the returners have more time to move down the field. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=32" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Strategy_of_American_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Strategy of American football">American football strategy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_American_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of American football">Glossary of American football</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football_positions" title="History of American football positions">History of American football positions</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=33" title="Edit section: Notes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist reflist-lower-alpha"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">A "dead ball" occurs after the officials have blown the whistle ending the previous play, and before they have signaled the ball is ready for the start of the next play.</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=American_football_positions&action=edit&section=34" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://operations.nfl.com/the-rules/nfl-rulebook/">"2023 NFL Rulebook | NFL Football Operations"</a>. <i>operations.nfl.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 19,</span> 2024</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=operations.nfl.com&rft.atitle=2023+NFL+Rulebook+%7C+NFL+Football+Operations&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Foperations.nfl.com%2Fthe-rules%2Fnfl-rulebook%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AAmerican+football+positions" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHall2022" class="citation web cs1">Hall, Brandon (November 18, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stack.com/a/football-positions/">"Football Positions: Explained"</a>. <i>stack</i>. Offensive Football Positions<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 19,</span> 2024</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=stack&rft.atitle=Football+Positions%3A+Explained&rft.date=2022-11-18&rft.aulast=Hall&rft.aufirst=Brandon&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stack.com%2Fa%2Ffootball-positions%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AAmerican+football+positions" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHall2022" class="citation web cs1">Hall, Brandon (November 18, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.stack.com/a/football-positions/">"Football Positions: Explained"</a>. <i>stack</i>. Defensive Football Positions<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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.mw-parser-output .navbox{display:none!important}}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="American_football_positions321" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:American_football_positions" title="Template:American football positions"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:American_football_positions" title="Template talk:American football positions"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:American_football_positions" title="Special:EditPage/Template:American football positions"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="American_football_positions321" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">American football positions</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Offense_(sports)" title="Offense (sports)">Offense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Offensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">Tackle</a> (T)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">Guard</a> (G)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">Center</a> (C)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">Quarterback</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Dual-threat_quarterback" title="Dual-threat quarterback">Dual-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Game_manager" title="Game manager">Game manager</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/System_quarterback" title="System quarterback">System</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Skill_positions" class="mw-redirect" title="Skill positions">Skill positions</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Back_(American_football)" title="Back (American football)">Back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">Running back</a> (RB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">Halfback/Tailback</a> (HB/TB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)" title="Fullback (gridiron football)">Fullback</a> (FB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wingback_(American_football)" title="Wingback (American football)">Wingback</a> (WB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Triple-threat_man" title="Triple-threat man">Triple-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Change_of_pace_running_back" title="Change of pace running back">Change of pace</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;">Receiver</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">Wide receiver</a> (WR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eligible_receiver" title="Eligible receiver">Eligible receiver</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">Tight end</a> (TE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slotback" title="Slotback">Slotback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/End_(gridiron_football)" title="End (gridiron football)">End</a> (E)</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Defense_(sports)" title="Defense (sports)">Defense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">Defensive tackle</a> (DT)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle#Nose_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">Nose tackle</a> (NT)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">Defensive end</a> (DE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Edge_rusher" title="Edge rusher">Edge rusher</a> (EDGE)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Backer</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">Linebacker</a> (LB)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_back" title="Defensive back">Defensive back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Cornerback" title="Cornerback">Cornerback</a> (CB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Safety (gridiron football position)">Safety</a> (S)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)" title="Nickelback (American football)">Nickelback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dimeback" title="Dimeback">Dimeback</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Special_teams" class="mw-redirect" title="Special teams">Special teams</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Kicking_specialist" title="Kicking specialist">Kicking</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">Placekicker</a> (K)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punter_(gridiron_football)" title="Punter (gridiron football)">Punter</a> (P)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_specialist" title="Kickoff specialist">Kickoff specialist</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Snap_(gridiron_football)" title="Snap (gridiron football)">Snapping</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">Long snapper</a> (LS)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Holder_(gridiron_football)" title="Holder (gridiron football)">Holder</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Returning</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Punt_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Punt returner">Punt returner</a> (PR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kick_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Kick returner">Kick returner</a> (KR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jammer_(American_football)" title="Jammer (American football)">Jammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upman" class="mw-redirect" title="Upman">Upman</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(football_move)" title="Tackle (football move)">Tackling</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Gunner_(American_football)" title="Gunner (American football)">Gunner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upback" title="Upback">Upback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Utility_player#American_football" title="Utility player">Utility</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">Formations</a> (<a href="/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football" title="List of formations in American football">List</a>) — <a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football_positions" title="History of American football positions">Nomenclature</a> — <a href="/wiki/American_football_strategy" title="American football strategy">Strategy</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Gridiron_football_concepts228" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Template:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Template talk:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Gridiron_football_concepts" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Gridiron football concepts"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Gridiron_football_concepts228" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">Gridiron football</a> concepts</div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Codes</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/American_football" title="American football">American</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_American_football_terms" title="Glossary of American football terms">Glossary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football" title="History of American football">History</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Early_history_of_American_football" title="Early history of American football">Early</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Modern_history_of_American_football" title="Modern history of American football">Modern</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_rules" title="American football rules">Rules</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arena_football" title="Arena football">Arena</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Canadian_football" title="Canadian football">Canadian</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Comparison_of_American_and_Canadian_football" title="Comparison of American and Canadian football">American–Canadian comparison</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Burnside_rules" title="Burnside rules">Burnside rules</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Glossary_of_Canadian_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of Canadian football">Glossary</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nine-man_football" title="Nine-man football">9-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eight-man_football" title="Eight-man football">8-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/A7FL" title="A7FL">7-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Six-man_football" title="Six-man football">6-man</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flag_football" title="Flag football">Flag</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touch_football_(American)" title="Touch football (American)">Touch</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Street_football_(American)" title="Street football (American)">Street/Backyard</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Powderpuff_(sports)" title="Powderpuff (sports)">Powderpuff</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wheelchair_Football_(American)" title="Wheelchair Football (American)">Wheelchair</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_gridiron_football_rules" title="List of gridiron football rules">Rules of gridiron football codes</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Levels of play</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>Youth/midget <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Pop_Warner_Little_Scholars" title="Pop Warner Little Scholars">Pop Warner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_Youth_Football" title="American Youth Football">AYF</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/High_school_football" title="High school football">High school</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Varsity_team" title="Varsity team">Varsity</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Junior_varsity_team" class="mw-redirect" title="Junior varsity team">Junior varsity</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/College_football" title="College football">College</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Club_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Club football">Club</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sprint_football" title="Sprint football">Sprint</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Semi-professional" class="mw-redirect" title="Semi-professional">Semi-pro</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Professional_gridiron_football" title="Professional gridiron football">Professional</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Women%27s_American_football" class="mw-redirect" title="Women's American football">Women's</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/International_Federation_of_American_Football" title="International Federation of American Football">International</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/American_football_field" title="American football field">Field</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Lines</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Yard_lines" class="mw-redirect" title="Yard lines">Yard lines</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Hash_marks" class="mw-redirect" title="Hash marks">Hash marks</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/End_line" title="End line">End line</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Goal_line_(gridiron_football)" title="Goal line (gridiron football)">Goal line</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sidelines" class="mw-redirect" title="Sidelines">Sidelines</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage" title="Line of scrimmage">Line of scrimmage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Field_goal_range" title="Field goal range">Field goal range</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Spaces</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/End_zone" title="End zone">End zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Red_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Red zone (gridiron football)">Red zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dead_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Dead zone (gridiron football)">Dead zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Neutral_zone_(gridiron_football)" title="Neutral zone (gridiron football)">Neutral zone</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Coffin_corner_(American_football)" title="Coffin corner (American football)">Coffin corner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Flat_(gridiron_football)" title="Flat (gridiron football)">Flat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gap_(American_football)" title="Gap (American football)">Gap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hole_(American_football)" title="Hole (American football)">Hole</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passing_pocket" title="Passing pocket">Pocket</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Scoring</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown" title="Touchdown">Touchdown</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Conversion_(gridiron_football)" title="Conversion (gridiron football)">One-point conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-point_conversion" title="Two-point conversion">Two-point conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Field_goal" title="Field goal">Field goal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_score)" title="Safety (gridiron football score)">Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Single_(football)" title="Single (football)">Single (rouge)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Ball handling</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Snap_(football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Snap (football)">Snap</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Forward_pass" title="Forward pass">Forward pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lateral_pass" title="Lateral pass">Lateral</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Incomplete_pass" title="Incomplete pass">Incomplete pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Drop-back_pass" title="Drop-back pass">Drop-back pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hail_Mary_pass" title="Hail Mary pass">Hail Mary pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hand-off" title="Hand-off">Hand-off</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rush_(gridiron_football)" title="Rush (gridiron football)">Rush</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punt_(gridiron_football)" title="Punt (gridiron football)">Punt</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Touchback" title="Touchback">Touchback</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Drop_kick" title="Drop kick">Drop kick</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_(gridiron_football)" title="Kickoff (gridiron football)">Kickoff</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Onside_kick" title="Onside kick">Onside kick</a></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Turnover_(gridiron_football)" title="Turnover (gridiron football)">Turnovers</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Fumble" title="Fumble">Fumble</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Interception" title="Interception">Interception</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Muffed_punt" title="Muffed punt">Muffed punt</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Charles_Tillman" title="Charles Tillman">"Peanut Punch"</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Turnover_on_downs" title="Turnover on downs">Turnover on downs</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)" title="Down (gridiron football)">Downs</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)" title="Down (gridiron football)">First down</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Down_(gridiron_football)#Three-and-out" title="Down (gridiron football)">Three-and-out</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Fourth_down_conversion" class="mw-redirect" title="Fourth down conversion">Fourth down conversion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dead_ball#Gridiron_football" title="Dead ball">Dead ball</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Play_clock" title="Play clock">Play clock</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Time-out_(sport)#American_and_Canadian_football" title="Time-out (sport)">Timeout</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quarterback_kneel" title="Quarterback kneel">Kneel</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spike_(gridiron_football)" title="Spike (gridiron football)">Spike</a></li> <li>Time warnings <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Three-minute_warning" title="Three-minute warning">3 min.</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-minute_warning" title="Two-minute warning">2 min.</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/One-minute_warning" title="One-minute warning">1 min.</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Clock_management" title="Clock management">Clock management</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Running_out_the_clock" title="Running out the clock">Running out the clock</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Untimed_play" title="Untimed play">Untimed play</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Garbage_time" title="Garbage time">Garbage time</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Statistics</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/All-purpose_yardage" title="All-purpose yardage">All-purpose yardage</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carry_(gridiron_football)" title="Carry (gridiron football)">Carry</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Completion_(American_football)" title="Completion (American football)">Completion</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Next_Gen_Stats" title="Next Gen Stats">Next Gen Stats</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pass_deflected" title="Pass deflected">Pass deflected</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passer_rating" title="Passer rating">Passer rating</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Passing_yards" class="mw-redirect" title="Passing yards">Passing yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reception_(gridiron_football)" title="Reception (gridiron football)">Receiving yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Reception_(gridiron_football)" title="Reception (gridiron football)">Reception</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Return_yards" title="Return yards">Return yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Carry_(gridiron_football)" title="Carry (gridiron football)">Rushing yards</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Quarterback_sack" title="Quarterback sack">Sack</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_offense" title="Total offense">Total offense</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Total_quarterback_rating" title="Total quarterback rating">Total quarterback rating</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown_pass" title="Touchdown pass">Touchdown pass</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yards_after_catch" title="Yards after catch">Yards after catch</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yards_from_scrimmage" title="Yards from scrimmage">Yards from scrimmage</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Practice</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Practice_squad" title="Practice squad">Practice squad</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Two-a-days_(football)" title="Two-a-days (football)">Two-a-days</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Oklahoma_drill" title="Oklahoma drill">Oklahoma drill</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Three-cone_drill" title="Three-cone drill">Three-cone drill</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Film_session" title="Film session">Film session</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Officiating</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Official_(gridiron_football)" title="Official (gridiron football)">Official</a> (<a href="/wiki/Official_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Official (American football)">American</a>, <a href="/wiki/Official_(Canadian_football)" title="Official (Canadian football)">Canadian</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chain_crew" title="Chain crew">Chain crew</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Penalty_(gridiron_football)" title="Penalty (gridiron football)">Penalty</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Penalty_flag" title="Penalty flag">Penalty flag</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Replay_review_in_gridiron_football" title="Replay review in gridiron football">Instant replay</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Gridiron_ball" class="mw-redirect" title="Gridiron ball">Ball</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)" title="Blocking (American football)">Blocking</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Coaching_tree" title="Coaching tree">Coaching tree</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Concussions_in_American_football" title="Concussions in American football">Concussions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Protective_equipment_in_gridiron_football" title="Protective equipment in gridiron football">Equipment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Football_IQ" title="Football IQ">Football IQ</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">Formations</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football" title="List of formations in American football">List</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Letterman_(sports)" title="Letterman (sports)">Letterman</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gatorade_shower" title="Gatorade shower">Gatorade shower</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Overtime_(sports)#American_and_Canadian_football" title="Overtime (sports)">Overtime</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_plays" title="American football plays">Plays</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Positions</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Running_up_the_score" title="Running up the score">Running up the score</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/American_football_strategy" title="American football strategy">Strategy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Touchdown_celebration" title="Touchdown celebration">Touchdown celebration</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tuck_rule_(American_football)" title="Tuck rule (American football)">Tuck rule</a></li> <li><a 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