It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into American football positions. (Discuss)

The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. A play usually begins with the quarterback taking a snap from the center, and then either handing off to a back, passing to a receiver or a back, or running the ball himself. The object of the offensive team is to score points for their team. Usually the sign that their goal is accomplished for the offensive team is the Touchdown. However, the offensive team can also help the team score by getting good field position for an attempt at a field goal. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... In American football, each team has 11 players on the field at one time. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... A Toronto Argonauts player dives for yardage while a Montreal Alouettes defender gives chase. ... A football play is the activity of the games of Canadian football and American football during which one team tries to advance the ball or to score, and the other team tries to stop them or take the ball away. ... NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. ... A snap (colloquially called a hike, snapback, or pass from center) starts each Canadian football and American football play from scrimmage. ... A touchdown is the primary method of scoring in American and Canadian football, in which the ball carrier causes the football to break the plane of the end zone, or an eligible receiver catches a forward pass in the end zone, thus earning 6 points for his team (in both... A field goal (formerly goal from the field) is a general term used in some sports wherein a goal may be scored either during general play (from the field) or via some sort of free shot. ...

The offensive unit in American football consists of a quarterback, linemen, backs, and receivers. The function of most of the linemen is to block. The offensive line consists of a center, two guards, two tackles and one or two tight ends. Backs include running backs (or tailbacks) who frequently carry the ball, and a fullback, who usually blocks, and occasionally carries the ball or receives a pass. The primary function of the wide receivers is to catch passes. NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. ... For other uses of the term, please see the Lineman article. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ...

The ultimate makeup of the offense and how it operates is governed by the head coach or offensive coordinator's offensive philosophy. The head coach in sports coaching is the coach who is in charge of the other coaches. ... An offensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League (or at others levels of American football) who is in charge of the offense. ... The approach to offense in American and Canadian football has splintered and evolved in the 100 years in which the modern form of the sport has existed. ...

• center (C) - the center performs the normal blocking functions of all linemen and, in addition, is the player who puts the ball in play by means of the snap.
• offensive guard (OG) - the two guards are the offensive linemen directly on either side of the center and inside the tackles. 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" in order to block a player on either side of the center, in an inside running play called a "trap" or an outside running play called a "sweep".
• offensive tackle (OT) - the offensive tackles play on either side 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 some blocks from behind, which are prohibited elsewhere on the field, are allowed.

Note that the description above of the guard and tackle positions apply only to a line that is balanced, i.e. that has equal numbers of players on both sides of the player who is to snap the ball. In an unbalanced line, there may be players designated "guard" or "tackle" next to each other. Also note that offensive lineman cannot catch or run the ball. If they do, it will result in a penalty. The only way an offensive lineman can get the ball during a play is picking up a fumble. Center (C) is a position in American football. ... A snap (colloquially called a hike, snapback, or pass from center) starts each Canadian football and American football play from scrimmage. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ... The offensive team or offense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. ...

• tight end (TE) - tight ends play on either side of, and immediately next to, the tackles. They are a mix between a blocker and a pass receiver. If an end moves away from the tackle, he is called a split end. Modern formations typically have one end tight, the other split. Many modern formations dispense with tight ends completely, replacing them with wide receivers. Sometimes a formation is referred to as having "three tight ends", which in reality means an additional blocker (a wingback or an eighth lineman) has been substituted for a wide receiver, as in short-yardage situations.
• wide receiver (WR) - the wide receivers are speedy pass-catching specialists. Their main job is to run pass routes and get open for a pass, although they are occasionally called on to block. A wide receiver may line up on the line of scrimmage and be counted as one of the necessary 7 players on the line in a legal formation (a split end), or he may line up off the line of scrimmage and be counted as being in the backfield (a flanker if he is on the outside, a slot if he is not). There are generally two types of wide receivers, "speed" and "possession". A speed receiver's primary function is to stretch the field, be a deep threat, and to not allow the defense to bring an eighth man near the line of scrimmage to discourage or defeat rushing plays. A possession receiver is generally the more sure-handed of the two types and is used to keep possession of the ball by making catches that gain first down yardage, but he lacks the raw speed to attack a defensive backfield.
• fullback (FB) - positioned behind the middle of the line, a fullback may do some running, some blocking, and some short receiving. A classic fullback is more of a straight-ahead, "four yards and a cloud of dust" power runner than a running back. Many modern formations do not use a fullback. Most plays utilizing the fullback call for him to block, generally by running up the middle of the line, clearing a path for a running back to use.
• running back (RB) - the modern term for the position formerly called "halfback". The running back carries the ball on most running plays, and is also frequently used as a short-yardage receiver. Running backs, along with the wide receivers, are generally the fastest players on the offensive team. Most of them tend not to run straight ahead, preferring to make quick cutbacks to try to find holes in the defense. This, however, is a generalization, as some running backs are more power-oriented. "Fullback" is now regarded as a separate position from running back, with a substantially different role (especially in the NFL).
  • tailback (TB) - a running back that is positioned behind the middle of the line and deepest of all backs.
• H-back - a position that was popularized by Joe Gibbs during his first tenure with the Washington Redskins; the H-back is a hybrid position that combines the skill sets of fullback, tight end, and even wide receiver. An H-back lines up similarly to a slotback, but deeper and not as wide, and frequently serves as a blocker for a more deeply positioned back.
• wingback - a player positioned just outside the outermost tight end; the wingback is slightly offset from the line of scrimmage which designates the position as wingback rather than tight end. The wingback is typically used in extreme blocking situations or unbalanced offensive formations.
• slotback - a player positioned just outside the outermost offensive lineman; the slotback is slightly offset from the line of scrimmage which designates the position as a slotback rather than a tight end. The slotback is a typical position in flexbone formations and other Triple Option formations.
• quarterback (QB) - a player positioned close to and behind an interior lineman. Typically the quarterback is positioned to take a snap handed between the center's legs. However, recent usage refers imprecisely to a player who is positioned behind the center at any distance, calls signals, is not the usual punter or place kick holder, and usually takes the snap as "quarterback" regardless of exact position, because those functions have typically been performed by quarterbacks. Typical play from formations where the quarterback takes the snap proceeds by the quarterback either handing the ball off to a running back to run, throwing the ball downfield, or running personally.

The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... High school running back A running back, halfback or tailback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... Tailback is an offensive backfield position in the sport of American football. ... An H-Back is an offensive position in American football that is a hybrid between a fullback and a tight end. ... For the Jamaican record producer, see Joe Gibbs (record producer) Joe Jackson Gibbs (born November 25, 1940 in Mocksville, North Carolina) is a Hall of Fame american football coach and NASCAR Championship team owner. ... City Landover, Maryland Other nicknames The Skins Team colors Burgundy and Gold Head Coach Joe Gibbs Owner Daniel Snyder General manager Vinny Cerrato Fight song Hail to the Redskins League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1932-present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol... In association football (soccer), a wingback is an attacking player who occupies a wide position, either on the extreme right or extreme left. ... Canadian football is a sport in which two teams of twelve players each compete for territorial control of a field of play 110 yards (100. ... // The Formation The base flexbone formation with two slotbacks (SB), two wide receivers (WR), a quarterback (QB), a fullback (FB), and five down linemen (OL). ... The Triple Option is an American football term for a running or possibly passing play, which involves three different ways to progress the football up the field of play. ... NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. ...

See also

• Defensive team
• Special teams
• American football strategy
• Glossary of American football

Offense: center · fullback · Guard · H-back · offensive line · quarterback · running back · tailback · tight end · Wide receiver
Defense: Cornerback · defensive line · defensive back · linebacker
Special teams: Gunner · punter · placekicker · long snapper The defensive team or defense in American football or Canadian football, is the team that begins a play from scrimmage not in possession of the ball. ... Special teams are units in American football and Canadian football that are on the field during kickoffs, free kicks, punts, and field goal and extra point attempts. ... It has been suggested that American football defensive schemes be merged into this article or section. ... The following terms are used in American football and Canadian football. ... Center (C) is a position in American football. ... Most football games include a position called fullback or full back. ... In American football, the guards are the two players that line up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team. ... An H-Back is an offensive position in American football that is a hybrid between a fullback and a tight end. ... NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. ... High school running back A running back, halfback or tailback is the position of a player on an American and Canadian football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. ... Tailback is an offensive backfield position in the sport of American football. ... The tight end (TE) is a position in American football on the offensive team. ... The wide receiver (WR) position in American and Canadian football is the pass-catching specialist. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American football. ... Defensive back (DB) is a player in American football whose role is primarily pass coverage; that is, the defensive back will stay near a receiver and try to deflect or intercept any passes thrown to him. ... A linebacker is a position in American and Canadian football. ... In American football, a gunner is a player on kickoffs and punts who specializes in running down the field very quickly in an attempt to tackle the kick returner or the punt returner. ... A punter in American or Canadian football is a special teams player (not an offensive or defensive team member) who is snapped the ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts (kicks) the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage the opposing... Placekicker is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points, and, in many cases, kickoffs. ... In American football, the term long snapper refers to a player who is a specialized center during punts, field goals, and extra point attempts. ...