Football Positions

The game of American football has many football positions. These football positions can give you a better understanding of the game, and an insight to how multifaceted the game of  football can be.  

1. Defensive Ends. They are located on the opposite corners of the line. This football position tries to rush the passer or the quarterback.. They do not permit anything to get outside the ends. In the zone blitz scheme defensive ends will drop into pass coverage while linebackers rush the quarterback.
2. Defensive Tackle. They are positioned in the middle of the defensive line. This football position rushes the passer as well as defends against the running game up the middle of the line of scrimmage.
3.  Linebackers.  Linebackers are a multi-tasking football position.  Their main tasks are to defend against the running game and they have to drop into coverage if it is a passing play.
4. Cornerbacks.  This football position is a 1 on 1 battle against the wide receiver. This for most football coaches is the hardest defensive position to teach.  If the Cornerback gives the wide receiver too much room the receiver will have many short catches for short gain. If the cornerback gives the wide receiver too little room, the wide receiver may run by past the cornerback and have success with long gains. The cornerback’s main job is to balance this distance of “cushion” and not allow the wide receiver to catch the ball. They can also be important in the blitzing scheme by blitzing around the outside and rush the quarterback.
5. Safeties. There are two safeties on the defenses. There is a Free safety and a Strong Safety. The Free safety is more to help against the passing game. The Strong safety helps the linebackers and lineman against the running game.
6. Center. The center starts the play. He snaps the ball (in-between his legs) back to the quarterback. His other duties include blocking against the pass rush and blocking for the running back during running plays. 
7. Quarterback . This offensive football position is the player who gets the ball from the center at the start of each play.  Then he either hands it to the running back or attempts to throw it to a receiver. On a passing play if no wide receiver is open he may run the ball himself. It is also the position who communicates the play from the coaches to his teammates while they are in the huddle.
8. Running backs. An offensive football position who is located in the backfield and generally is responsible for running with the football on running plays. On occasion may receive short passes as well as screens.
9. Tight Ends.This football position is on both sides of the tackles. They may receive a pass or block.
10. Wide Receiver. An offensive football position located widest from the center. A wide receiver’s goal is to catch passes from the quarterback or block the cornerback on run plays.
11. Offensive Tackle. This football position consists of two linemen who job is to protect the quarterback from rushing defensive tackles and ends. This position also blocks for running backs on running plays. Tackles are usually the bigger lineman who are not very mobile.
12. Offensive Guard. This football position consists of two lineman positioned on either side of the center. This lineman position is usually more mobile but is smaller in size than the offensive tackle. Due to this mobility the offensive guard are key in blocking for the running back. Generally, their lack in size means they are not as good at pass blocking as the offensive tackles.