Understanding the role of each player creates a better understanding of how the game is played. Football and futbol are similar in the sense that there are 11 players on the field for each team at the same time. In both sports, the objective is for the offense to creating scoring chances while the defense tries to prevent scoring chances, and it is here where the first distinction between the two games should be noted.

Pace and rhythm

Football moves at a stop and go pace. The offense plans each play and the defense responds to it, both trying to deceive each other before the execution of the play. Each team has group of 11 players who specialize in either offense or defense.

In both sports, the offense wants to get into a “rhythm,” or a series of well executed plays.

Roles and Positions

These players line up on the “line of scrimmage” before each play or “snap.” (Context: If the pigskin is on the Giants 20 yard line, the line of scrimmage is the Giants 20 yard line.) There must always be seven players on the line of scrimmage.

1. Wide Receiver (WR) - A wide receiver’s role is to catch passes. At the start of each play, the WR runs a predetermined route with the intention of finding a spot on the field where he can catch the ball.

2/6. Left Tackle (LT)/Right Tackle (RT) - An offensive lineman. Protect the flanks of the offensive line. Typically nimble and agile for their size. For right handed quarterbacks, a left tackle protects the “blind side,” during passing (throwing) plays which is an invaluable service. They are often the paid the most of any OL. 

3/5. Left Guard (LG)/Right Guard (RG)- An offensive lineman. Guards will often “pull” meaning they will pull away from blocking the middle of the line and attempt to make a block on the perimeter, usually in “run” plays or screens (short passes with a wall of lineman creating a “screen.”)

4. Center (C) - An offensive lineman. Initiates the play by “snapping” the pigskin to the quarterback and is responsible for making adjustments to the blocking schemes before the snap.

7. Tight End (TE) - Lines up on either side of the offensive line. Can serve as a receiver or an extra blocker. Typically bigger and slower than a receiver but smaller and faster than an offensive lineman.

These four players line up behind the line of scrimmage:

8. Wide Receiver (WR) - This receiver lines up off the line of scrimmage and can move if set into “motion” by the quarterback.

9. Quarterback (QB) - Responsible for calling and executing the offensive plays and making adjustments based on what they see in the defense. Throws the ball on passing plays, which usually gain more yards than a run play.

10. Full back (FB) - Primarily a blocker for the half back, also carries the pigskin in short yardage (less than three yards). Typically bigger and slower than a half back. 

11. Half back (HB) - Carries the pigskin when the offense chooses to “run” the ball. A good running back will gain 3-4 yards on each carry consistently.

Stay tuned for Football to Football Part 4: Roles and Personnel - Futbol (Offence)