American Football Positions Explained

American football positions are grouped by unit rather than by a fixed spot on the field. On offence the quarterback takes the snap and distributes the ball, the running back carries and blocks, receivers run routes, the tight end combines receiving with blocking, and the offensive line protects the passer and opens running lanes. On defence the line rushes, linebackers play behind them, cornerbacks cover receivers, and the two safeties play deep. A safety is both a position and a scoring play, which is the source of most of the confusion: the free safety and strong safety are defensive backs, while a safety as a score is two points awarded when the ball becomes dead in the offensive team's own end zone. Special teams cover punting, kicking and returns. The practical consequence for a kit order is numbering, because most rule sets tie jersey numbers to position groups so officials can identify eligible receivers. A squad that prints numbers before the roster and the numbering plan are settled ends up reprinting. Number allocation, not the design, is the decision that has to be locked first.