North American Gridiron Positions:
Offense
- Offensive Line: Five players make up the offensive line, lined up on the line of scrimmage. Line players must be motionless before the snap. Two additional players (ends) must line up on the line of scrimmage to meet the requirements of seven players on the line. The five O-linemen are ineligible receivers and must wear a jersey number of an ineligible receiver, 50-69.
- Center (C): Player in the center of the offensive line whose duty it is to snap the ball between his legs to the quarterback to start each play from scrimmage.
- Guard (Right and Left) (OG, ORG, OLG): Players immediately on either side of the center, part of the offensive line.
- Tackle (Right and Left) (OT, RT, LT, ORT, OLT): Players on the ends of the offensive line, on the outside of each guard.
- Quarterback (QB): Player behind the center who takes the snap to start each play from scrimmage.
- Running Back (RB): Player in the backfield who can accept handoffs/pitches on a running play, block or escape the backfield as a receiver.
- Fullback (FB): A bulkier, bigger running back whose primary purpose may be to block but also may receive the ball on a running or passing play.
- Tight End (TE): Tight ends are normally deployed at the ends of the line of scrimmage, tight to the line (next to a tackle). They count as the 6th and 7th men on the line of scrimmage or they can be lined up 1 yard off the line of scrimmage and other players technically occupy the end positions. Single or double tight end formations are normally only seen in short yardage or special formations in the CFL.
- Wide Receiver (WR): The receivers widest on either side of the field. Normally they line up on the line of scrimmage, but can be in motion before the snap.
- Defensive Line (DL): In a 4-3 defense, there are 4 defensive linemen. In a 3-4 defense, there are 3 defensive linemen.
- Defensive End (DE): Defensive player on either end of the defensive line.
- Rush End (RE): Defensive end whose primary purpose is to rush the quarterback, usually from a stand up position rather than a down lineman. The rush end is normally positioned on the wide or strong-side of the field.
- Quick End (QE): Defensive end whose primary purpose is to rush the quarterback. The quick end is normally positioned on the weak-side of the field.
- Defensive Tackle (DT): Defensive player in the center of the defensive line (2 tackles in a 4-3 defense).
- Nose tackle (NT): Defensive tackle in the centre of the defensive line (1 tackle in a 3-4 defence).
- Linebackers (LB): Players behind the defensive line providing run and pass support. In a 4-3 defence, there are 3 linebackers. In a 3-4 defence, there are 4 linebackers.
- Weak-side linebacker (Will): Linebacker who plays the weak-side (short hash mark side) of the field.
- Middle Linebacker (Mac, Mike): Linebacker who plays the middle linebacker position.
- Strong-side linebacker (Sam): Linebacker who plays the strong-side (long hash mark side) of the field.
- Defensive Back (DB): Sometimes refers to all defensive coverage players, or also the inside coverage players responsible for covering inside receivers or territory of the field.
- Cornerback (CB): Defensive back responsible for covering the outside receivers or territory of the field.
- Free Safety (FS): The free safety tends to watch the play unfold and follow the ball. The free safety is typically assigned to the quarterback in man coverage, but as the quarterback usually remains in the pocket, the free safety is "free" to double cover another player.
- Strong Safety (SS): The strong safety tends to be somewhat larger and stronger than the free safety. However, the word strong is used because he is assigned to cover the "strong side" of the offense, the side on which the tight end, a usually big, powerful receiver-type player lines up on offensive plays.
- Nickelback/Dimeback (NB/DB): Extra defensive backs that enter the game in obvious passing situations, replacing a linebacker.
- Kicker (K): A player that specializes on place kicking duties, that is field goal attempts. Kickers will also sometimes perform kickoff duties. When a player performs both kicking and punting duties, they are normally listed as K/P.
- Kick Returner (KR): A player that specializes on kick return duties, returning punts, kick offs and/or missed field goal returns. A team may deploy different players for different types of returns and even multiple players on different returns depending on the conditions and situation.
- Long Snapper (LS): A long snapper is a specialized center who snaps the ball on special teams plays, field goal attempts and or punts. The technique and actions of this position are so unique that a dedicated role has developed on most teams, usually out of a backup, as rosters have grown.
- Punter (P): A player that specializes on punting duties. When a player performs both kicking and punting duties, they are normally listed as K/P.