Who does
what.
Every position, what it actually does, and how to spot it from the couch. Five sports, no assumed knowledge.
Knowing the rules gets you halfway. The other half is knowing which player on the screen is responsible for what you just watched happen. This is the cast list: who's who, and what to watch for from each of them.
Point guard, shooting guard, small forward, power forward, center.
Football.Quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and the lines up front.
Baseball.Pitcher, catcher, the infield, the outfield, and the DH.
Hockey.Goalie, defenseman, center, wing.
Soccer.Goalkeeper, defender, midfielder, forward.
Most-asked questions.
The position questions casual fans search for the most. Each answer here is the short version. Tap through for the full breakdown.
What does a quarterback do?
Leads the offense, calls plays at the line, and either hands the ball off or throws it. Almost every offensive play starts by going through their hands.
What does a point guard do?
Brings the ball up the court, reads the defense, and decides who gets it next, usually the team’s primary playmaker.
What does a goalie do in hockey?
Stands in the net and stops the puck from crossing the line, using pads, gloves, and their whole body to block shots.
What does a pitcher do in baseball?
Throws the ball to the batter to start every play, trying to get them out by strikeout, weak contact, or a defensive play.
What does a midfielder do in soccer?
Links defense to attack, covering the most ground of any position and controlling the pace of the game.
Once you know the players
Pair this with how the rules work for the structure, and the casual fan's glossaryfor the jargon they'll use to describe what these players are doing.
Want this called out live?
Hail Mary's side chat tells you who just did what, as it happens, in your group chat. iOS, summer 2026.
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