I’m sure every football fan out there knows about the different positions in the NFL. But I bet not many people really understand how many positions are there in the NFL. It’s actually quite surprising – the sheer number of positions that make up a standard American football team.
At the core, there are three main groups of players – the offense, the defense, and the special teams. Each of these groups is made up of eleven players with unique roles and responsibilities. In short, the offensive players score points; the defensive players prevent the opposing team from scoring; and the special teams put the ball in play.
The offense is comprised of several positions, including the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive line, and kicker/punter. The quarterback is the team leader and is generally considered to be the most important position. He is responsible for calling the plays and leading the offense. The running back’s job is to move the ball upfield, either through rushing (running with the ball) or receiving (catching a pass). Wide receivers and tight ends are responsible for catching passes, while the offensive line is in charge of blocking and protecting the quarterback. Lastly, the kicker/punter is responsible for kicking the ball downfield or booting it out of bounds.
On the other side of the ball is the defense. Generally, this group is made up of four main positions – the defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties. The defensive line is responsible for stopping the run. Linebackers and defensive ends work together to guard the pass. Cornerbacks and safeties work together to defend against opposing team’s passing plays.
The last group of players – the special teams – are mainly responsible for setting up plays. These players are the punters, kickers, and returners. Punters kick the ball to the opposing team; kickers kick the ball to the uprights; and returners return the ball after it has been kicked or punted.
Overall, there are a whopping 29 positions that make up an American football team, each with their own distinct duties and responsibilities. To me, this is a testament to the sport’s complexity and depth – it takes a special breed of athlete to not only understand, but to excel at their given position. That’s why I love the NFL – there’s something special about the teamwork, the strategy, and the skill required to make it in the league.