FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT FOR BEGINNERS POSITIONS On Offense and Defense Body type and strengths that match positions GAPS NUMBER SYSTEM Gap numbers for offense Gap letters for Defense Different Formations LOS – Line of Scrimmage How many people on the LOS Motions Rules Slot WR and uncovered player rules for motion PART 1: Offensive Players There are 11 players on offense at a time. Through a series of plays that involve passing and running the ball, they want to work their way down the field until they get into the end zone. The offense consists of: Quarterback (QB) –The field general. He/She calls the plays, initiates action and handles the “snap.” He either hands the ball to the running back or passes the ball to a receiver. He may also run with the ball. The quarterback’s must be able to throw the ball with power and accuracy. They are usually Safeties. Running Back (RB) –Also known as the Halfback. This player does it all. Lining up either behind or beside the quarterback, he runs, he catches, he blocks and he’ll even throw a pass from time to time. A running back is normally a player who is a quick runner and thrives on contact. They are usually LB. Fullback (FB) –Like a heartier version of the RB, but in the modern game usually more of a lead blocker out of the backfield. Fullbacks are normally good runners with exceptional strength. They are usually LB. Offensive Line –There are five offensive linemen. In order from left to right, they are: the Left Tackle (LT), Left Guard (LG), Center (C), Right Guard (RG) and Right Tackle (RT). It is their job to either pass block for the QB so he has time to throw or run block for the RB or FB. Most of the time, with the exception of the Center “snapping” the ball to the QB, offensive linemen do not touch the ball. The offensive line is usually made up of the biggest, strongest players on the team. Due to their high-contact role, these players use football lineman gloves for pass-blocking protection. They are usually DL. Wide Receivers (WR) –Wide receivers, for the most part, are known as pass catchers. They start the play split out wide from the rest of the formation, at or near the line of scrimmage (an imaginary line that extends from side-line to side-line at the point where the ball is placed) and run pass routes awaiting a pass from the QB. On running plays, they will throw blocks and occasionally take a handoff. Those in the wide receiver position normally have a combination of blazing speed and strong hand-eye coordination. Wide receiver gloves help these players get a grip on the ball and are crucial when it comes to making big plays. They are usually CB. Tight End (TE) – This player is a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive lineman. Generally, he lines up next to the LT or RT or he can “split out” like a wide receiver. His duties include blocking for both the quarterback and the running backs, but he can also run into the field and catch passes. Tight ends can catch like a receiver, but has the strength and size to dominate on the line. They are usually DL or LB. PART 2: The Defensive Players Like the offense, there are 11 defensive players on the field. Their job is to prevent the offense from scoring by tackling players or causing turnovers. Defensive Line– This is the first line of Defense and consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line. They are two Defensive Ends (DE) on either side and one or two Defensive Tackles (DT). Their job is to shed the blocks of the offensive linemen and tackle ball carriers, usually running backs coming through the line or quarterbacks dropping back to pass. If a player is on the defensive line, they are generally big and strong. They are usually OL. Line-backer (LB)– As the name implies, the Line-backers back the defensive line. Depending on the defensive alignment, there are usually three or four on the field. Outside line-backers (OLB) stand to the sides of the DEs and Inside line-backers (ILB) or middle line-backers (MLB) stand behind the DTs. LBs are usually responsible for shadowing RBs, TEs and sometimes WRs; rushing the passer; and tackling ball carriers. Those who are line-backers are likely strong and fast. They are usually RB. Cornerback (CB)– Cornerbacks are usually the fastest player on the Defense. They support the run, and might be asked to blitz the QB, but spend most of their time covering wide receivers. This means they try to break up passes, tackle players who catch passes, and try to intercept passes coming their way. There are usually two to four CBs on the field at a time. Cornerbacks should be really fast and capable tacklers. They are usually WR Safety (S)– There are two S positions: The Strong Safety (SS) and the Free Safety (FS). The strong safety is usually, well, strong, and fast. They are usually responsible for covering TEs, RBs, and WRs and playing down the field but are often expected to come up in run support. The Free Safety has similar duties but is commonly considered the Center fielder, and thus the last line of the Defense. A safety should be fast and strong, and be a capable tackler. They are usually WR GAPS NUMBER SYSTEM - PART 3 Gap numbers for offense Gap letters for Defense The Defense Players use Letters. The Offense uses Numbers WHAT IS THE LOS? I gridiron football, a line of scrimmage is an imaginary transverse line (across the width of the field) beyond which a team cannot cross until n the next play has begun. Its location is based on the spot where the ball is placed after the end of the most recent play and following the assessment of any penalty yards. HOW MANY NEED TO BE ON THE LOS? T offensive team must have at least seven players lined up on the line of scrimmage. Of the players on the line of he scrimmage, only the two players on the ends of the line of scrimmage are eligible receivers. MOTIONS: O player may be in motion at one time, and the player must not move toward the line of scrimmage in his motion (in other words, he can only move ne laterally or backward). The WR - RB - TE can be in different positions but there is a rule that needs to be followed. If there is a TE - and 2 WR on one side one of the three players need to NOT be on the LOS TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT FORMATIONS FOR OFFENSE: PART 4 DEFENSE FORMATION The ‘Loco’ Punt Formation for Special Teams E.T.C..! PART 3: SPECIAL TEAMS This final segment can help you be savvy with special teams. Specialty players take the field during field goals, punts and kick-offs. These players consist of: Kicker (K)– The kicker is responsible for kick-offs and field goals. They are strong-legged players who can kick accurately from a tee on kick-offs and from a holder on field goals. Punter (P)– The punter is responsible for kicking the ball away if the offense fails to get a first down. They are strong-legged players who can accurately kick a ball by dropping it from their outstretched hands. Return Specialists– There are two types of return specialists: Kick Returner (KR) and Punt Returner (PR). These are the players the punter and kicker are kicking to on punts and kick-offs. Long Snapper (LS) – The long snapper begins plays for the kicker and the punter. The long snapper is responsible for “snapping” the ball back to the punter for a punt or a field goal attempt. The long snapper’s role is different from the Center role, as he needs to throw the football a longer distance. After snapping the football, the long snapper serves like an offensive lineman, preventing the other team from blocking a field goal or punt. To be sure that you don’t make a false statement about false starts, check out this gridiron glossary to impress your friends with some common football lingo. ● Backfield– The group of offensive skill players, namely the quarterback and running backs, that line up behind the line of scrimmage. It can also refer to the area of the field behind the line of scrimmage. ● Blitz– A play by the Defense in which one or more line-backers or defensive backs charge the opponent’s backfield. This can help put pressure on opposing quarterbacks and lead to sacks and rushed throws. ● Bootleg– When a quarterback fakes a handoff to a running back and instead takes the ball outside to either complete a pass or run it himself. ● Draw– When a quarterback looks as if he is intending to pass, but instead either hands off the ball for a rush or keeps it himself. ● Encroachment – Term to describe when a defensive player illegally crosses the line of scrimmage prior to the ball being snapped and makes contact with an opposing player. ● Fair Catch– When a punt returner decides to catch a punt without the intention of advancing after the catch. A fair catch is signalled when the punt returner waves his extended arm over his head. No defensive player can tackle the punt returner once a fair catch has been signalled. ● Horse Collar – When a defensive player brings down a ball carrier by grabbing onto the back of the ball carrier’s collar and shoulder pads.