Football Positions

What position should I be in football?

Defensive:

Defensive players are usually the biggest and fastest lineman on the team, making them extremely valuable as a position. They must be fast enough to outrun tackles to the quarterback and big enough to dominate collisions between players.

Offensive:

Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks must have great eyesight and fast reaction times. In addition to the great eyesight, they must be tall enough to see downfield openings.

Halfbacks

Halfbacks must be small and quick on their fit. The majority of these players are around 5'9", but some exceptions do prove this statement wrong and are among the taller players.

Fullbacks

Usually former linebackers or offensive lineman, fullbacks are much among the taller players on the field.

Wide Receivers

Good wide receivers are hard to come by. A wide receiver must be fast, tall and have amazing hand-eye coordination.

Tight Ends

Tight ends are usually former offensive lineman with quick reaction times and great catching abilities. Tight Ends also tend to be among the taller players on the field.

Special Teams:

What qualities do you need to be a footballer?

Football requires a variety of skills to move the ball across the field toward the opponent's goal and to prevent the opponent from entering yours. American football in a fast pace sport, usually only lasting a few seconds and for multiple plays. The game involves passing the ball, tackling/blocking opponents to the ground, catching the ball, running and using different play strategies to advance the team across the field.

• Passing the football
• Blocking opponents
• Catching the ball
• Rushing
• Punts and kicks

Ball Passes:

Starting with a push off the ground, core rotation, opening of the hip and a calculated forward arm movement ending with a forearm movement. Positions that require passing the ball, like quarterbacks, must be extremely accurate with their throughs. In fact, because a large part of playing football involves blocking and intercepting the ball, players that make passes must be extremely quick and accurate when completing a pass to a team member.

Blocking Opponents:

In the game of football, offensive players can not use their hands to hold opponents. Thus, the offensive team must master the techniques of blocking by putting their bodies between opponents and one of their teammates.

Catching The Football:

Receivers must be quick, agile and have amazing hand-eye coordination. Receivers must avoid opponents who try to intercept balls and tackle them while getting in the clear to complete passes and advance their team. A good receiver must also be strong to absorb the hits from the opposing players shortly after they make the catch.

Rushing:

The act of running with the ball from the start of an offensive play. Rushing demands skills that include the ability to make quick, lateral plays to avoid opposing players while anticipating their teams moves at all times.

Punts & Kicks:

After a touchdown is accomplished, the scoring team kicks the ball towards the opposing team to restart the game. When a team is in poor position, rather than moving forward with a pass or rush, they may decide to kick the ball down the field. When kicking the ball, usually the player known as the "kicker" will try to kick the ball as far as possible since he is giving position to the other team. In addition, kickers can also score field goals when in the last plays of a game.

What is the easiest and hardest position in football?

Football is a difficult sport. Every position has multiple assignments in which some require more thinking and more action than others.

In the article below, we ranked a list of positions based on their level of difficulty on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the least difficult and 5 being the most difficult.

What is the hardest and easiest skill in every football position?

Quarterback

Easiest Skill: The act of throwing the ball

Most Difficult Skill: Reflex time, quick thinking and processing to make successful passes in small windows of time.

Receiver

Easiest Skill: Making plays on the field.

Most Difficult Skill: Deal with the pressure of cornerbacks tackling them right off the snap.

Linebacker

Easiest Skill: Pursue the ball and players

Most Difficult Skill: Diagnose plays before the snap and avoid play-action passes. Gaining coverage against tight ends and running backs.

Lineman

Easiest Skill: Being tough and smart.

Most Difficult Skill: Overcoming the athletic gap between offensive and defensive linemen, who are better "athletes".

Running Back

Easiest Skill: Attacking and blocking gaps and openings.

Most Difficult Skill: Develop the skill to protect passes.

Defensive End

Easiest Skill: Being some of the biggest player on the field, they always have the advantage when under attack

Most Difficult Skill: Developing hand skills and techniques takes time.

Cornerback

Easiest Skill: Defending the zone well.

Most Difficult Skill: Dealing with the pressure to perform.

Defensive Tackle

Easiest Skill: Being physical

Most Difficult Skill: Reading body language and deciphering plays.

What are the most important positions in American football?

The exciting game of American Football has it all from intense plays, thrilling wins and heartbreaking losses. With fans around the world, it is without a doubt that football is and continues to be the most popular sport in the U.S.. In the paragraphs below, we will break down the responsibilities of the different football positions.

Quarterback & Running Backs

Running is one of the main aspects of football. Standing behind the offensive line are the fullback and halfback players. These players have the duties of blocking to protect the quarterback, catching and running the ball down the field. On the other hand, quarterbacks call plays, strategically make passes to receivers or hand the ball to the running backs in order to advance the team and overtake the opponents.

Linebackers & Defensive Backfield

Responsible for run and pass plays, linebackers play behind the defensive line and are the best tacklers on the team. Made up of cornerbacks and safeties, the defensive backfield duties are to cover the wide receivers, break passes, make interceptions and tackle opponents to stop the run.

Defensive Line

The defensive line is made up of 3 positions: defensive ends, defensive tackles and nose guards. Defensive ends play at the end of the defensive line and try to prevent running backs from moving down the field while trying to sack the opposing quarterback. Defensive tackles play on either side of the line and try to block the run play. They can sometimes break through and hurry the quarterback as well. The nose guards play in the center of the defensive line and must stop the run play in the middle.

Offensive Line

Protecting the quarterback and open zones for running backs, the offensive line is made up of guards, linemen, tight ends and tackles that continuously protect the quarterback while he throws passes.

Wide Receivers

The role of the wide receiver is to receive passes thrown from the quarterback and run pass routes with it. These players use their speed and agility to evade the opposing team's defensive players as they try to intercept the catches. In addition, receivers also make blocks for other receivers, running backs as well as for the quarterback.

Special Teams

Often the key to success in football, special teams are made up of punters, kickers, long snappers and place holders. 

• Punters: Kick the ball when the team does not score.
• Kicker: Kick the ball at the opening of the game and after every score
• Long Snapper: Snaps the ball during punts
• Place Holders: Catch the ball from the center and hold it for the kicker

Read More:

- Best Football Mouthguards