The Different Football Positions
There are four main football positions: Running back, Tight end, Wide receiver, and Cornerback. Knowing each one is vital for a successful game. Read on to learn about the different roles. Listed below are the basics of each position. You may also want to learn about the different positions within each. Regardless of your level of expertise, the information below should help you find a position that fits your strengths and weaknesses. There are many different positions in football.
Running back
The running back plays an important role on offense, lining up in the offensive backfield with the quarterback to rush the passer and gain positive yardage. The position requires a strong body and quickness to keep up with opposing defenders and run as far as possible. A good running back should be capable of blocking and catching passes, which gives the offense more versatility and options. Listed below are some of the most important qualities of a running back.
Tight end
The role of the tight end in football is multifaceted. He plays both blocking and receiving duties. The tight end interacts with the wide receiver, fullback and tackle. On passing plays, he will act as a sixth lineman in front of the quarterback to create a hole for him to throw the ball. However, he doesn’t always have the desire to block opponents. In order to make up for this, NFL teams are trying to find more ways to use tight ends.
Wide receiver
The position of wide receiver was developed from the end, a position on the offensive line next to the tackles. Nowadays, these players are known as tight ends. However, it is important to note that receivers are only allowed on forward passes when they are behind or at the end of the line of scrimmage. This means that early football teams only used ends as receivers sparingly and only when there was heavy traffic.
Cornerback
A cornerback is a defensive player who plays in the secondary or defensive backfield. They cover receivers for most of the time, blitz against offensive running plays, and deflect forward passes. Their primary job is to create turnovers, including by hard-tackling, intercepting, and making deflected tackles. The position also plays an important role in special teams, where they are often called upon to cover tight ends.
Safety
The primary job of the safety is to defend the quarterback, but they also need to read plays and react to plays. This means learning the offensive playbook and knowing the different roles of the players on the offense. Safety duties also require fast acceleration and top-speed to cover the receiver on the outside. In zone coverage, they must react to plays as they develop to stop the quarterback. The position also requires great vision, which can be difficult if you’re not fast enough.
Kicker
There are dozens of different positions in football. However, only a select few players have the ability to be elite kickers. Most teams have at least twenty reliable starters. The Browns have had two kickers since 1994, but the Browns are now in search of a placekicker who can kick the ball between the uprights. Head coach Freddie Kitchens explained the importance of the position when he said, “Our team needs to have a kicker that is capable of putting the ball between the poles.”
