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American Football Positions Study Guide
American Football Positions Study Guide
American Football Positions Study Guide
OFFENSE
Center (C)
Hike the ball and then follow the Offensive Linemen position description
Offensive Linemen (OL)
Open a hole or running lane: create a space for the ball carrier to run
Block: push the defense off the line of scrimmage
Set the pocket: form an area for the quarterback to throw
Wide Receivers & Tight End (WR & TE)
Block: TE will block at the line of scrimmage and the WR will block
downfield
Run a pattern: run to a specific area of the field
Get open: separate from the defense
Quarterback (QB)
Handoff: give or pitch the ball to a running back
Pass: throw the ball from behind the line of scrimmage to a receiver
Run: run with the ball
Running Backs (RB) (may be behind or to the right or left of QB)
Pass protect: keep the defense from reaching the quarterback
Run a pattern: be a receiver and run to a specific area of the field for a
completion
Take the handoff: run with the ball
DEFENSE
Defensive Linemen (DL)
Neutralize: stop the offensive line
Pursuit: make the tackle on the ball carrier
Linebackers (LB)
Neutralize: stop the offensive line
Pursuit: make the tackle on the ball carrier
Cover: run with the receiver with man-to-man coverage
Drop: sprint to an area of the field for zone coverage
Cornerbacks & Safeties (CB & S)
Cover: run with the receiver with man-to-man coverage
Drop: cover a designated area of the field for zone coverage
CB
LB
LB
DL
WR
OL
WR
DL
C
DL
OL
WR
QB
RB
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
FS
CB
CB
LB
LB
DE
TE
WR
OT
LB
DL
OG
DL
C
QB
RB
RB
OFFENSE
DE
OG
OT
WR