Offense & Defense Positions

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The offensive line, or “OL,” and other players on the field for your team when you start a set of downs with the ball, are collectively called the offense. This is sometimes abbreviated as “O.”

• C: Center; “Snaps” the ball to the quarterback
• RB: Running Back; Can run the ball, make a catch, block, or even throw the ball
• FB: Fullback; Lead blocker, one of two running back positions
• HB: Halfback; Runs the ball or blocks, the other running back position
• OG: Offensive Guard; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB
• OT: Offensive Tackle; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB
• LG: Left Guard; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB; Sets up to the left of C
• LT: Left Tackle; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB; Sets up to the left of LG
• RG: Right Guard; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB; Sets up to the right of C
• RT: Right Tackle; Blocks for QB, RB, or FB; Sets up to the right of RG
• TE: Tight End; Blocks or catches passes
• QB: Quarterback; Calls the plays and initiates ball action
• WR: Wide Receiver; Catches passes

 Whether you play youth football or in the NFL (National Football League), the positions on a football team are the same. There can only be 11 players from one team on the field during plays. 

 The defensive line, or “DL,” and other players on the field for your team when you don’t have the ball at the start of a play are collectively called the defense. This is often abbreviated as the “D.”

• CB: Cornerback; Try to stop passes, intercept passes, or tackle player who catches the ball; Usually sets up wide in the formation
• DE: Defensive End; Get past OL, tackle QB, or tackle ball carriers; Sets up at either end of the DL
• DT: Defensive Tackle; Get past OL, tackle QB, or tackle ball carriers; Sets up in the middle of the DL
• LB: Linebacker; Tackle ball carrier; Sets up between DL and FS/SS
• ILB: Inside Linebacker; Tackle ball carrier; Aligns toward inner portion of formation
• MLB: Middle Linebacker; Tackle ball carrier; Aligns in center of formation
• NT: Nose Tackle; Hold off as many OL players as possible; Sets up in the center of the DL
• OLB: Outside Linebacker; Tackle ball carrier; Aligns toward outer portion of formation
• S: Safety; Stop TEs, RBs, and WRs; Sets up in the back of the formation
• FS: Free Safety; Stop TEs, RBs, and WRs; Tends to play further from the DL than FS, aligned with the offense’s TE
• SS: Strong Safety; Stop TEs, RBs, and WRs; Tends to play closer to the DL than FS