Receivers: The players who run downfield on a specific route (“pattern”) and try to catch the ball (thrown by the quarterback), or who will also block the defensive team during a running play. The receivers fall into several categories: Wide receivers: Receivers are for the most part aligned away or wide from the ball. They can be on the line of scrimmage or off the line of scrimmage depending on the formation. Tight end (TE): A receivers who is for the most part aligned close, or tight, to the ball and on the line of scrimmage.
Running backs: Players who are located behind the offensive line (hence the word back), who either run the ball once the quarterback hands it off to them, or who sometimes catch the ball from the quarterback (like a receiver). They will also block like a lineman, if needed. There are usually two running backs, but can have as many as three, or as few as one. Tailback: Player who is deep behind the quarterback if he is the only back in the backfield; or, if there are two backs, the deeper of the two. Fullback:
Player who is closest behind the quarterback when there are two backs in the backfield. Quarterback: The one player we all know, the “QB” is located directly behind the center, usually with his hands underneath the center in a rather uncomfortable place. This is called the snap, hand up or Quarterback/Center exchange. This is done by the center handing or snapping the ball between his legs to the QB on the agreed upon time or cadence. If the offense is in shotgun formation, the QB will be about 5 yards back from the center. His job, as quarterback, is to get the ball from the center, and then distribute the ball to the receivers and running backs, either by handing it off, tossing the ball, or passing the ball.
Got all that? Back to the game.
Score Big!
Coach Hrovat