NFL

football positions.

Eleven players on the field, a handful of jobs that actually matter to a casual fan. This is the map most broadcasts use, minus the jargon.

Quarterback

Leads the offense and calls the play at the line of scrimmage, then either hands the ball off or throws it. Nearly every offensive play starts by going through their hands, which is why the quarterback gets most of the credit and most of the blame.

The player standing behind the center barking out signals before the snap, then either turning to hand off or dropping back to throw.

He's reading the defense before the snap. Whatever he sees there decides the next play.

Running back

Runs with the ball on handoffs, catches passes out of the backfield, and sometimes stays in to block and protect the quarterback instead.

Usually lined up just behind the quarterback before the snap, then bursting through a gap in the offensive line once the ball's in their hands.

Handoff, and he found a seam. That's the running back doing exactly his job.

Wide receiver

Lines up out wide near the sideline and runs a specific route, a planned path downfield, to shake loose from a defender and get open for a pass.

The player split out near the sideline before the snap, sprinting a precise pattern the moment the ball is snapped.

He just broke open on that route. That's the whole point of a wide receiver's day.

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Offensive line

Five players who block for the quarterback and running back, clearing running lanes and buying time for a pass. They almost never touch the ball themselves and are the most important, least-noticed unit on the field.

The wall of players crouched shoulder to shoulder at the line of scrimmage before every snap. If the quarterback has time to throw, thank them.

Clean pocket, no pressure. That's five guys up front doing their job right.

Defensive line & linebackers

The defenders closest to the line of scrimmage, responsible for rushing the passer and stopping the run before it gets started. Broadcasts often call this whole group “the front seven.”

Lined up right across from the offensive line, crashing forward the instant the ball is snapped.

Sack. The front seven just won that play before it even had a chance to develop.

Cornerbacks & safeties

Defend receivers downfield and serve as the last line of defense against a long pass, the group standing between a broken play and a touchdown.

The defenders lined up furthest from the line of scrimmage, shadowing receivers or hanging back to cover the deep part of the field.

He's locked onto that receiver stride for stride. That's the secondary earning their keep.

Other sports

Basketball.Baseball.Hockey.Soccer.

Once you know who does what, the football glossarycovers what they're actually doing out there.

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