Eleven players on each side of the ball, plus separate units for kicking plays. Here is what each position does.
Offense
| Position | Job |
|---|---|
| Quarterback (QB) | Takes the snap, throws or hands off, and usually calls the protection and checks at the line |
| Running back (RB) | Carries the ball, catches out of the backfield, and blocks blitzers |
| Fullback (FB) | Lead blocker, increasingly rare in modern offenses |
| Wide receiver (WR) | Runs routes and catches passes. Teams usually play three at once |
| Tight end (TE) | Hybrid: blocks like a lineman, catches like a receiver |
| Center (C) | Snaps the ball and identifies the defensive front for the line |
| Guard (G) | Two of them, either side of the center. Interior blockers |
| Tackle (T) | Two of them, on the edges. The left tackle usually protects a right-handed quarterback’s blind side |
The five offensive linemen are always the same: center, two guards, two tackles. The other six vary by formation, most commonly one quarterback, one back, one tight end and three receivers.
Defense
| Position | Job |
|---|---|
| Defensive end (DE) | Rushes the passer from the edge and sets the edge against the run |
| Defensive tackle (DT) | Interior lineman. Occupies blockers and collapses the pocket |
| Nose tackle (NT) | Lines up over the center in three-man fronts. Takes on double teams |
| Linebacker (LB) | Second level. Stops the run, covers short zones, sometimes blitzes |
| Cornerback (CB) | Covers receivers, usually on the outside |
| Safety (S) | Deepest defenders. Free safety plays center field, strong safety plays closer to the line |
| Nickelback | A fifth defensive back who comes in for a linebacker against extra receivers |
Defenses are described by their front: a 4-3 has four linemen and three linebackers, a 3-4 has three and four. Most teams now play nickel personnel more often than base, because offenses use three receivers so much.
Special Teams
| Position | Job |
|---|---|
| Kicker (K) | Field goals, extra points and kickoffs |
| Punter (P) | Punts on fourth down, and usually holds for field goals |
| Long snapper (LS) | Snaps on punts and field goals. A specialist job |
| Returner | Fields punts and kickoffs |
| Gunner | Sprints down the sideline on punts to tackle the returner |
Why the Groupings Matter
Personnel packages are named by the number of running backs and tight ends on the field. “11 personnel” means one back and one tight end, which leaves three receivers. “12 personnel” is one back and two tight ends. Defenses substitute in response, which is why the nickel back has become close to a starter.
Related
What a tight end does · What a linebacker does · Cornerback vs. safety · The nickel defense
The Bottom Line
Five offensive linemen and six skill players on offense, a front and a secondary on defense, and a set of specialists for kicking plays. Formations change constantly, but those groupings stay the same.