1. Team Players In American Football
Team Players
Football Offense
- The Offensive Line (known as the “O Line”) is consisted of five players whose job is to protect the
passer from the defensive team and to provide blocks for the rusher. The middle player on the offensive
line is the center. The 2 players next to him at Guards and next to them Tackles.
- The Quarterback receives the snap generally from the center and then hand the ball off to the running
back, throws to a running back, throws to a receiver or runs it himself. The quarterback is the leader of
the offensive team and is usually credited with how well a team does.
- Running backs usually line up next to or behind the quarterback and specialize in running the ball, but
they do occasionally block, catch passes and even sometimes throw the football to another team
member. If a team has two running backs, one is usually called the tail back/half back, who is more
likely to run and the other is fullback who is more likely to block.
- Wide receivers usually line up near the sidelines and specializing in catching passes by they do
sometimes block for other teammates.
- Tight Ends line up to the outside of the offensive tackle and can either play like a wide receiver or
help block the defensive line from getting to the quarterback.
At least 7 members must line up on the line of scrimmage. The rest of the team can line up anywhere
behind the line.
Football Defense
Different from offense, defense does not have a set of rules that specify starting positions, moments, or
coverage zones except that they must be in the defensive zone at the start of the play. The defensive
line must consist of three to six players who line up directly across from the offensive line who disrupt
the backfield or tackle the running back from gaining any yards. Behind the defensive line are the
linebackers who can either cover a receiver or rush the quarterback. Lastly, is the defensive back
known as the secondary and usually consist of safeties or cornerbacks. They cover receivers and try to
stop the pass from being