How many defensive tackles play at once

Learn more about the tight-end position here. The offensive line will have five players that line up in the same spot pretty much every time. These players are responsible for protecting the quarterback. Offensive line positions are broken down by offensive tackle, offensive guard, and center. The center is the position that puts his hand on the ball to snap it to the quarterback.

The center is responsible for starting the play and protecting the quarterback. The offensive guards are located on both sides of the center. The tackles are located outside of the guards. The guard and tackle positions are instrumental for an offense to be effective. They must protect the quarterback and move defensive tackles and defensive ends off the football to make room for the running back.

Defensive tackles are defensive players that play either against the guards or the center. These players are responsible for getting after the quarterback and disrupting the running back. Defensive tackles are often more prominent in stature, as they can clog up gaps and force the offense to run the ball to the outside.

Defensive tackles differ based on the defensive scheme that the defensive coordinator plays. Often, teams running a four-defensive linemen set will have two defensive ends, a nose guard and a defensive tackle. Defensive ends are also part of the defensive line along with the defensive tackles.

These players often line up head up or outside of the offensive tackles. They are responsible for attacking the quarterback from outside of the offensive line. Defensive ends are essential because they force offenses to stretch the ball even farther to the sideline.

Linebackers are often known as the captain of the defense. These players get their names for where they line up, in the back of the defensive line. Linebackers are responsible for playing both the run and the pass. These players need to be well versed in tackling as well as covering wide receivers. Ray Lewis exemplified what it means to be a linebacker. Tough, hard-hitting, and leadership are the few words that come to mind when thinking of ideal traits for a linebacker.

The cornerback is the player that lines up closest to the sideline. This player is often the fastest player on the defense and is responsible for covering speedy wide receivers. The next defensive back position is safety. The two safety positions are often broken into two types: strong safety and free safety.

Learn more about what a DB in football is here. Special teams are units that are on the field during specific situations. They include a kickoff team, a kick return team, a punting team, a punt blocking and return team, a field goal and extra point team, a field goal blocking team and "hands team" used for onside kicks to prevent the kicking team from recovering a kick, usually by recovering the ball themselves. Though fewer points are scored on special teams than on offense, special teams play determines where the offense will begin each drive, and thus it has a dramatic impact on how easy or difficult it is for the offense to score.

Because these aspects of the game can be so different from general offensive and defensive play, a specific group of players is drilled in executing them. Most special teams players are second- and third-string players from other positions, but there are also specialized players on these teams, including:. American Football Database Explore. Recent blog posts Forum. Explore Wikis Community Central.

Register Don't have an account? American football positions. History Talk 0. A diagram showing an "I Formation" on offense and a Formation on defense In American football , each team has eleven players on the field at one time. Categories American football positions. Universal Conquest Wiki. Guard , Tackle , Center.

Tackle , End , Nose tackle. Placekicker , Punter , Kickoff specialist. Long snapper , Holder. Halfback Tailback , Fullback , H-back. Cornerback , Safety. Punt returner , Kick returner. Like the offense, there are 11 defensive players on the field. Their job is to prevent the offense from scoring by tackling players or causing turnovers.

This final segment can help you be savvy with special teams. Specialty players take the field during field goals, punts and kick-offs. These players consist of:.

Understanding the roles of each player on the football field can be a doozy. But with this guide, you should be on your way to having a strong grasp on strong safeties, full familiarity with fullbacks and so much more. Make sure you have the football gear you need for your star player, including essential football shoulder pads , and check out The Pro Tips Football Equipment Checklist.

Skip to content. PART 1: Offensive Players This section will help you score some insight on the players whose primary role is to score touchdowns. The offense consists of: Quarterback QB — The field general. He may also run with the ball. This player does it all. A running back is normally a player who is a quick runner and thrives on contact.

Fullback FB — Like a heartier version of the RB, but in the modern game usually more of a lead blocker out of the backfield. Fullbacks are normally good runners with exceptional strength. Offensive Line — There are five offensive linemen. The offensive line is usually made up of the biggest, strongest players on the team. Due to their high-contact role, these players use football lineman gloves for pass-blocking protection. Wide Receivers WR — Wide receivers, for the most part, are known as pass catchers.

They start the play split out wide from the rest of the formation, at or near the line of scrimmage an imaginary line that extends from sideline to sideline at the point where the ball is placed and run pass routes awaiting a pass from the QB.

On running plays, they will throw blocks and occasionally take a handoff. Those in the wide receiver position normally have a combination of blazing speed and strong hand-eye coordination. Wide receiver gloves help these players get a grip on the ball and are crucial when it comes to making big plays. Tight End TE — This player is a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive lineman.

His duties include blocking for both the quarterback and the running backs, but he can also run into the field and catch passes. Tight ends can catch like a receiver, but has the strength and size to dominate on the line. Defensive Line — This is the first line of defense and consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line. Their job is to shed the blocks of the offensive linemen and tackle ball carriers, usually running backs coming through the line or quarterbacks dropping back to pass.