Xs and Os: Offensive Positions

by Arnaldo

This blog plans to have an "Xs and Os" series ofposts giving you an elementary approach to a certain topic, and graduallybecome more and more in depth.  They'llbe tagged "Xs and Os" so if you plan on studying up just type thatinto the search bar.

Thanks to our first request, this lesson plans to break downall offensive positions, their typical player size, and their function.

Let's begin with breaking down the sections of theoffense.  There are essentially two: theoffensive line, and the skill positions. I never liked the term skill positions because I truthfully believegames are won in the trenches and the offensive line is often more valuable.

The offensive line breaks down into 5 players of 3 positions.  They are tackles, guards, and a center.  The center lines up where the ball isplaced.  He is surrounded on either sideby a guard, who is then followed by a tackle. The five linemen have essentially the same function after the ball issnapped (by the center).  This may soundsimple but it requires a lot of focus and quick reflexes.  On run plays, they run block by pushingforward (or in a predetermined direction/fashion) and leading the ball carrier,and on pass plays they back up and form a "pocket" around the quarterback"pass blocking" the defender sent in to rush the Quarterback.

The center has the added responsibility of calling theoffensive line block schemes.  This meanshe's telling the rest of the line who to block and in which way, depending onwhere the defense lines up (unlike the offensive line, the defense can line uphowever they like).

Quarterback.  Thequarterback's chief job is to pass the ball to any of the other skillpositions.  Note that the offensive linemenare considered ineligible receivers, unless they line up in a differentposition and there are 5 other linemen as usual.  Also note that football allows one forwardpass per play, which is why those rare double pass plays requires the first oneto be backwards.  The quarterback alsolines up in one of three positions: under center, shotgun, or pistol.  Under center is pretty self-explanatory,where he is right behind the center reaching under his legs close to theball.  The shotgun is the other mostcommon position where the quarterback stands a few yards behind thecenter.  This has its benefits and risks(high or fumbled snaps).  The pistol(rare nowadays) is about halfway between the center and the shotgunposition.  The quarterback also calls thesnap count, hands the ball off on running plays, occasionally becomes a ballcarrier on option plays (we'll get to these later), and calls audibles (on thespot change of play) if he sees the defense is lined up in an unfavorable way.  Quarterbacks vary in size depending on theirrole but they are usually not welcomed in the NFL if they are not at least 6feet tall (see Chris Leak).  Strictpocket passers may look like they don't play football at all by just looking atthem (see Eli Manning, Tony Romo). Scramblers are usually more athletic whether it be built for speed (seeMichael Vick), strength (see Ben Rothlisberger), or both (see Tim Tebow, AaronRodgers).

Running backs.  The termrunning back covers several roles but mainly describes the half back/tail backor rare h-back.  Sometimes the fullbackwill be lumped in there if he's utilized as a ball carrier.  Running backs line up in several differentpositions in the backfield and don't always run the ball.  On passing plays they either help theoffensive line protect the quarterback (this is referred to as max protect) orthey may run a short route and be what's called a check-down or dump-offoption.  If the quarterback can't find anopen receiver, he'll throw to the check-down. They vary in size from the smallest players on the field if they're fast(see Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps) to fairly large and strong (see TrentRichardson or LeGarrette Blount).

Fullbacks.  Thefullback is a dying breed, more so in college football.  Some teams literally don't have one, and usea tight end or an undersized back-up tackle when they need a fullback.  He's physically something between a tight endand a lineman and are only really used in the I formation and variations of theI.  Lined up in front of the half back,he serves as his lead blocker.  Thismeans instead of having a predetermined defensive player to block, he will runthe half backs route ahead of him and block whomever gets in his way.  He is rarely handed the ball but athleticfull backs may become surprise receivers and ball carriers.  Loyal Tampa Bay fans will remember the successwe had running Mike Alstott in short yardage situations (and in regular yardagesituations line up at tail back) and Gator fans should recall the most recentFSU game where Hunter Joyer had some huge plays.

Wide receivers.  Thewide receivers line up on various positions on either side of the offensiveline.  They run a predetermined route andbecome a throwing option.  I feel thatpart is pretty self-explanatory.  Whatyou need to wide receivers are their positions on the field.  There are several.  Typically, the most skilled receiver lines upin the X position on the far left side of the field.  The second will go to the Z position on theopposite end.  These outside receiversare typically tall.  Most formations haveroom for at least 3 receivers.  The thirdlines up between either the X or the Z and the offensive line.  He used to be referred to as the split endbut is now commonly known as the Y receiver or slot receiver, they could be thesame size as X and Ys but small shifty receivers find success here too (see WesWelker).  There are formations that willhave up to 5 wide receivers, especially in a spread scheme.

Tight Ends. Tight ends line up tight against the end of theoffensive line, see how that works? They are used as mobile blockers on runplays like fullbacks, but are also used as receivers.  Tight ends vary in size.  They  canapproach the size of a fullback, or as thin as a wide receiver.  Typically their routes are short and aredesigned as a match-up problem for defenses. They should be strong enough to earn several yards after catch (YAC), orquick enough to outrun linebackers.  Anambiguously sized tight end can be a match-up nightmare for defenses (see AaronHernandez).