Offensive players
On offense, there are three type of players: linemen, backs, and receivers. The players’ abilities combined with the coach’s philosophy will determine what formations a team will run their plays out of. Also, in many cases a coach will choose players with abilities that complement certain offensive formations and plays he likes. The basic offensive positions and those players’ duties, however, generally do not vary from team to team.
The position name (as well as the initial abbreviations recognized by coaches, players, and fans alike, shown in bold below) may vary from one teams’ playbook to another, but these are the ones most commonly used:
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Linemen
* Center- The Center (C) is the player who snaps the ball to the quarterback (QB). Like the other four linemen, his job is blocking- run blocking means impeding the defenders’ efforts to tackle the ball carrier on a running play, pass blocking means stopping the defenders from disrupting or tackling the QB. The center is also usually responsible for calling the blocking schemes on the line, directing the other linemen on who blocks who.
* Guard - Guards (G) line up on both sides of the center. The guards are generally bigger than the center and are typically better run blockers than pass blockers.
* Tackle - Tackles (T) are the “bookends” of the offensive line. They are usually the biggest offensive linemen, but also must be agile enough to thwart any outside pass rush. If a team has a righthanded QB, the left tackle is usually the best pass blocker on the line to prevent a “blindside” pass rush the QB might not see.
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Backs
* Quarterback The Quarterback QB is the leader of the offense, making sure the team knows which plays are being run. The QB must take the ball from the C (in a motion called the ’snap’) and put it into play. In most offenses, his primary duty is either passing (throwing) the ball or making the opposing team believe he is going to pass the ball while actually handing it off to the RB who carries the ball downfield. Since passing the ball is an offense’s quickest way to advance the ball, a team must have a QB who can throw the ball accurately and make quick, correct decisions as to which player is in the best position to receive the throw. In some offenses, the QB is often called upon to run the ball downfield as part of the play, and a QB might have to take the ball and run if his screen of protective players breaks down and there are no open receivers.
* Halfback The Halfback HB, also known as Running Back RB or Tailback TB , is on the field for one major purpose: to run the ball. If a team is to have an effective running game, it falls on the HB’s shoulders. He may have blocking duties and in some offenses and on some plays he may become a receiver, but in most offenses, the HB is there to run.
* Fullback The Fullback FB is also a running back, but in recent years, the FB position has developed into more of a blocking back, and in some schemes a receiver. The FB is usually the bigger, more physical of the two running backs, and so often a QB will often hand the ball to his FB in short yardage situations where every inch must be earned the hard way.
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Receivers
* Wide receiver: Depending on the formation, an offense may have anywhere from one to five wide receivers (WRs). Most base formations feature two WRs, though three-WR formations are common as well. WRs are among the fastest and most agile players on the team and their job is to get “open” (create separation between themselves and defenders), catch the ball when thrown to them, and run after the catch. Well-rounded receivers are also effective downfield blockers, though effectiveness in that regard is secondary to their pass-catching role.
* Tight end: The tight end (TE) was traditionally a blocking position but is now considered a hybrid wide receiver/lineman. TEs are among the most well-rounded athletes on the field as they must be strong enough to run block and pass block, and agile enough to run pass routes and effectively catch the football. A TE’s size presents matchup problems for smaller defenders, such as cornerbacks, while their speed gives them an advantage versus larger but slower defenders such as linebackers.