Final Wiki Page

==Introduction==

[[Image:FootballPositionsChart 2.jpg|right|180px|thumb|Base Formation of Offense (In Black) Basic 4-3 Defense (In white) http://www.rawlingsgear.com/football-instruction/position-guide.asp]]Football is a very complex game that is hard to follow for the first time. This page provides basic knowledge of the positions in football. Once the viewer knows what each position does and how they contribute to the game, it will be much easier to follow. There are various formations used in football by both the offense and the defense. The rules of football allow for countless formations. This results in a game that is constantly changing.

In order to understand the positions, one must first know a few terms. The first term the viewer must know is the line of scrimmage. The line of scrimmage (LOS) is the place where the football is at the beginning of a play. The offensive line and defensive line will get into their stances on either side of the LOS. This area is frequently referred to as "the trenches" by broadcasters. The next term viewers need to know is first down. Football is based on the ability or inability to move the football towards a goal known as the endzone. An offense starts with the ball on first down. This team has 4 downs to gain 10 yards or the ball is given to the other team. If 10 or more yards are picked up, the offense is rewarded with another first down, and the process repeats itself. If the offense cannot gain 10 yards after 3 plays, they have the option to punt. Punting forces the opposing offense to travel a longer distance in order to score. This offense will use the same process to attempt to score. If an offense tries and fails on the fourth down, the opposing offense starts with the ball in that exact spot. Next, the viewer needs to become familiar with the positions.

The offensive line consists of 2 tackles, 2 guards, and 1 center. Next to a tackle can be a tight end. There can be a tight end on either side of the offensive line or sometimes two on one side. Behind the center is the quarterback. This is the facilitator of the offense, as he touches the ball on every play. Behind the quarterback can be a fullback in some formations, a running back in other formations, sometimes both, sometimes neither. There can be up to 5 wide receivers on the field depending on formation.

[[Image:220px 3 4_base_defense.svg 2.png|right|thumb|Base 3-4 Defense (In blue) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3%E2%80%934_defense]]The defensive line consists of 2 defensive tackle and two defensive ends in what is known as a base defense or 4-3 (4 stands for amount of defensive lineman on the field and 3 stands for amount of linebackers on the field). In a 3-4 defensive alignment there would be 3 defensive lineman consisting of 1 defensive tackle and 2 defensive ends and 4 linebackers. Next,comes the linebackers. These players line up behind the defensive line and there is normally 3 or 4 on the field, depending on the formation. Behind the linebackers are safeties. Normally there are 2 safeties, sometime only 1, usually no more than 3. On the outside edges of the defense are cornerbacks. There are 2 cornerbacks in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. There is also a nickel and dime defenses, which have 3 and 4 cornerbacks respectively.

==Position Breakdown==

===Offense=== 

* '''Center''' -This position starts with the ball on every play. The center is part of the offensive line. The player is in charge of snapping the ball to the quarterback and informing the rest of the offensive line the blocking scheme before every play.

* '''Guard''' -There are two guards on the field, one on either side of the center. These players are also a part of the offensive line. This position is crucial when running the football as they need to excel in run blocking.

* '''Tackle''' -There are two tackles on the field as well. These players line up outside of the guards. This position is crucial when passing the football as they need to be proficient in pass protection.

* '''Tight End''' -This position can line up outside either tackle. There can be multiple tight ends or no tight ends on the field for a given play. This depends on the formation the offense chooses. These players have skills in blocking as well as receiving, making the position diverse.

* '''Wide Receiver''' -This position can line up anywhere between the sideline and tight end. There can be up to 5 receivers on the field at once, depending on the formation. These players are traditionally the primary pass catchers of an offense.

* '''Quarterback''' -This position lines up behind the center. This player is often the centerpiece of an offense. This player hands the ball off for running plays and throws the ball for passing plays. The player relays the play to his offense from the coaching staff and changes the play at the line of scrimmage if need be. A lot of what an offense does revolves around the play of their quarterback.

* '''Fullback''' -This position lines up behind the quarterback. There can be one, two, or no fullbacks on the field depending on the formation. This position is similar to the tight end, as this player will have blocking skills and some pass catching ability. The traditional purpose of a fullback is to create space for the halfback.

* '''Halfback''' -This position lines up behind the fullback. The halfback can also line up beside the quarterback when the quarterback is in "shotgun" formation. Instead of being right on the line of scrimmage (under center), the quarterback lines up 3 yards off the line of scrimmage when in shotgun formation. The halfback is the primary ball carrier for run plays. This position may also catch passes during pass plays, or pass protect when needed in other pass plays.

===Defense===

* '''Defensive Tackle''' -This position lines up across from the center or either guard. There are 2 of these in a 4-3 defense, and only 1 in a 3-4 defense. The main job of these players is to prevent the opposing offense from running the football.

* '''Defensive End''' -This position lines up outside of the defensive tackles. There are 2 of these on the field in a 4-3 or a 3-4. These players are proficient at pass rushing, which is trying give the quarterback very little time to throw the football or tackle the quarterback thus ending a pass play.

* '''Outside Linebacker''' -This position lines up outside of or behind the defensive ends. There are two of these on the field for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. These players are able to stop the run and defend the pass. They can pass rush or cover tight ends and running backs.

* '''Middle Linebacker''' -This position lines up behind the defensive tackles. These players are traditionally excellent run stoppers. This position is in charge of getting the defense organized before each play starts. The play is given to this player from the coaches and the linebacker tells his teammates. There are 2 of these players in a 3-4 and only 1 in a 4-3.

* '''Free Safety''' -This position lines up behind the linebackers and is the furthest player from the line of scrimmage. Free safeties normally excel at defending the pass and are not as effective at defending the run. During most plays, the free safety acts as the last line of defense between the offense and the endzone.

* '''Strong Safety''' -This position lines up next to the free safety, but closer to the line of scrimmage. This player is normally better at defending the run than the pass. The position is often thought of as a smaller, faster version of a linebacker.

* '''Cornerback''' -This position lines up across from the wide receivers. The main purpose of cornerbacks is to stop the wide receivers from catching passes. There is normally 2 cornerbacks on the field, but there can be as many as 4 on the field, depending on formations. These players are fast and must be agile to keep up with wide receivers.

===Special Teams===

* '''Kicker''' -This position is not an every down position. This player kicks the ball off to start the game and kicks off after every score. When an offense is in range on a fourth down, they can attempt a field goal. If an offense scores a touchdown, the kicker attempts the extra point after the touchdown. Field goals and extra points are converted by the kicker.

* '''Punter''' -This position punts the football. When an offense chooses to give the ball to the other team on fourth down (that is, they are out of field goal range and choose not to try for a first down), the punter will punt the ball. If the punter has a stronger leg than the kicker, normally he will have the responsibility of kick-offs. Kick-offs happen at the start each half and after every score.

===Tips===

*The best way to learn the positions is through practice. Normally broadcasters are very helpful in explaining the action to a novice fan.

*When watching a game, pay close attention to the replays. Replays often highlight exactly what took place and that is when in depth descriptions are given by the broadcasters.

==For More Information==

* For a look at the most popular league: [http://www.nfl.com/]

* For a look on what certain positions are measured by:[http://www.nflcombine.net/]



Lastly, here is a link to my WikiHow: http://www.wikihow.com/Learn-the-Positions-in-Football