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American football positions explained: What are the five main positions in the NFL?
The NFL is built on specialisation, with more positions than most sports could dream of.
With a roster of 52 players, they are then split into three groups: offense, defense, and special teams, each group comprising several different positions that perform specific roles.
But what are the five main positions in an NFL team? DAZN NFL news explains.
In American football, each player has a specific role on the field, and some positions are essential for the team’s success. From quarterbacks to safeties, the main NFL positions embody the diversity and complexity of the game.
Offense
Quarterback (QB)
Role: The leader of the offense. The quarterback is responsible for calling plays, receiving the snap from the center, and either passing the ball, handing it off to a running back, or running with it himself.
Key skills: Arm strength, accuracy, decision-making, leadership, and pocket awareness.
Running Back (RB)
Role: Primarily responsible for carrying the ball on running plays, but can also catch passes. There are two main types of running backs:
- Halfback (HB): The main ball carrier.
- Fullback (FB): A bigger, stronger running back, often used for blocking or short-yardage runs.
Key skills: Field vision, speed and agility, power, balance, good hands for catching passes or holding onto the ball while running, and strong blocking ability to protect the quarterback.
Wide Receiver (WR)
Role: Wide receivers are responsible for running routes and catching passes from the quarterback. They usually line up away from the line of scrimmage.
Key skills: Speed, agility, ability to catch the ball, and skill in evading defenders.
Offensive Lineman (OL)
Role: Offensive linemen protect the quarterback on passing plays and open lanes for the running backs. There are several sub-positions, such as:
- Tackle (OT): Players positioned at the ends of the offensive line.
- Guard (OG): Players between the tackles and the center.
- Center (C): The player who snaps the ball and helps protect the quarterback.
Key skills: Strength, size, blocking technique.
Defense
Defensive Lineman (DL)
Role: Defensive linemen try to break through the offensive line to stop the run or pressure the quarterback. They include:
- Defensive End (DE): Positioned at the ends of the defensive line, often tasked with pressuring the quarterback.
- Defensive Tackle (DT): Positioned inside the line, specializing in stopping the run.
Key skills: Power, speed, ability to get past offensive linemen.
Defensive Back (DB)
Role: Defensive backs cover opposing receivers and defend against passes. They include:
- Cornerbacks (CB): Specialists in covering wide receivers, following them throughout their routes to prevent completions.
- Safeties (S): Generally divided into free safety (FS) and strong safety (SS). The FS covers deep areas of the field, while the SS often plays closer to the line to help defend against the run.
Key skills: Speed, agility/coordination, play recognition, coverage/positioning, strong tackling, and focus.
These positions are essential to understanding how American football works, with each player having a precise role to play in their team’s success.
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