Learn the Positions

Roles on the board

Three units share one field. Offense starts with the ball. Defense tries to stop them. Special teams handle kicks, punts, and returns. Open a unit bubble above for the full role cards — the list below is the same roles already published in our positions guide, plain-language purposes only.

Offense

These are the people with the ball. Their job is simple to say and hard to do: move it toward the end zone.

• Quarterback (QB): Start the play and choose the best next move with the ball.
• Running back (RB): Run it, catch it short, and help keep the QB clean.
• Fullback (FB): Lead block and smash short-yardage situations.
• Wide receiver (WR): Get open, catch it, and make defenders miss.
• Tight end (TE): Block when needed, catch when the middle opens.
• Left tackle (LT): Protect the QB’s blind side and seal the edge.
• Left guard (LG): Hold the pocket middle and clear run lanes.
• Center (C): Snap clean and organize the line.
• Right guard (RG): Anchor the right interior on pass and run.
• Right tackle (RT): Own the right edge in pass pro and outside runs.

Defense

These people don’t start with the ball. Their whole vibe is stop, strip, and take it back.

• Defensive end (DE): Rush the passer and set the edge vs the run.
• Defensive tackle (DT): Clog the middle and wreck interior blocking.
• Nose tackle (NT): Occupy blockers and erase the A-gap.
• Linebacker (LB): Fill, cover, and bring heat when called.
• Cornerback (CB): Cover wideouts and erase the deep sideline.
• Nickel back (NB): Cover the slot and match extra receivers.
• Free safety (FS): Deep help and range over the middle.
• Strong safety (SS): Run support plus coverage near the box.

Special Teams

The third unit. Quiet on the depth chart, loud on the scoreboard and field position.

• Kicker (K): Put points on the board and start drives with the kickoff.
• Punter (P): Pin the opponent deep and buy coverage time.
• Long snapper (LS): Snap it clean and on time for kicks.
• Holder (H): Place the ball right for the kick.
• Kick returner (KR): Catch kickoffs and set up good starting field position.
• Punt returner (PR): Secure punts and create return yards when it’s there.
• Gunner (GUN): Win the race and shut down the return.
• Upback (UP): Protect the punt operation.

Roles only — no player names, no invented plays. Path, quiz, and film links stay after hydrate.