Football Positions Explained: Offense, Defense and Special Teams

An American football team has 11 players on the field at a time, and three separate units: offense, defense and special teams. Each position has a specific job, and many players spend their whole careers in one role. Here is how they fit together.

Offense: the 11 positions

An offense must have at least seven players on the line of scrimmage. A typical formation looks like this:

Position	How many (typical)	Job
Quarterback (QB)	1	Takes the snap, passes, hands off, sometimes runs
Running back (RB/HB)	1	Runs with the ball, catches short passes, blocks
Fullback (FB)	0–1	Lead blocker for the running back
Wide receiver (WR)	2–4	Runs routes and catches passes
Tight end (TE)	1–2	Blocks like a lineman and catches like a receiver
Center (C)	1	Snaps the ball, calls blocking assignments
Guards (G)	2	Block beside the center
Tackles (T)	2	Block on the outside of the line; the left tackle often protects a right-handed QB's blind side

The five interior linemen (center, two guards, two tackles) cannot catch forward passes in normal circumstances. With the quarterback and five "skill" players (backs, receivers, tight ends), that makes 11.

Defense

Group	Positions	Job
Defensive line	Defensive tackles, nose tackle, defensive ends	Stop the run, rush the quarterback
Linebackers	Middle (inside) and outside linebackers	Tackle runners, cover short passes, blitz
Defensive backs	Cornerbacks, free safety, strong safety	Cover receivers, prevent long plays

Defenses are named by their front: a 4-3 has four linemen and three linebackers, a 3-4 three linemen and four linebackers. Against passing offenses, teams use a nickel defense with five defensive backs or a dime with six.

Special teams

• Kicker (K): kickoffs, field goals and extra points.
• Punter (P): kicks the ball away on fourth down.
• Long snapper (LS): snaps for punts and kicks.
• Holder (H): holds the ball for field goals, often the punter.
• Kick and punt returners (KR/PR): run back kicks.
• Gunners and coverage players: race downfield to tackle the returner.

Which position is hardest?

Quarterback is widely seen as the most demanding: reading the defense, calling protections and throwing accurately under pressure. Left tackle and cornerback are also notoriously difficult, and teams pay them accordingly.

Positions in youth football

Youth teams often play fewer players a side, and coaches rotate young players through several positions. Flag football leagues remove tackling and linemen blocking entirely, putting the emphasis on passing and running.