Football is played by two opposing teams, each fielding
11 players. Each team tries to move the ball down the
field to score in the end zone defended by its
opponents.
During a football game the teams are designated as the
offensive team (the team in possession of the ball) and
the defensive team (the team defending a goal line
against the offensive team). Players involved in kicking
situations are known as the special teams.
The 11 players of the offensive team are divided into
two groups: 7 linemen, who play on the line of scrimmage
(an imaginary line designating the position of the ball)
and a backfield of 4 players, called backs, who stand in
various positions behind the linemen. The lineman whose
position is in the middle of the line is called the
center. On his left is the left guard and on his right
is the right guard. On the left of the left guard is the
left tackle, and on the right of the right guard is the
right tackle; similarly, on the ends of the line are the
tight end and the split end. The back who usually stands
directly behind the center and directs the play of the
offensive team is known as the quarterback.
In a balanced backfield formation, or “T-formation,” the
fullback stands behind the quarterback, and the left and
right halfbacks stand to either side of the fullback.
Teams often use wide receivers in the place of tight
ends, split ends, halfbacks, or fullbacks. Wide
receivers line up on the line of scrimmage but wide of
the rest of the formation.
The defensive team consists of a row of linemen, who
comprise the defensive line, a row of linebackers, and a
collection of defensive backs, known as the secondary.
The defensive line can use any number of players, though
most teams use three or four linemen. Defensive linemen
principally are responsible for stopping the
opposition's rushing attack and, in passing situations,
putting pressure on the quarterback.
The linebackers line up behind the defensive line and,
depending on the situation, are used to stop runners,
pressure the quarterback, or cover the opposition's
receivers. Teams usually employ three or four
linebackers.
The secondary is comprised of cornerbacks, who cover
wide receivers, and safeties, who cover receivers, offer
support in stopping the rushing attack, and pressure the
quarterback. The secondary commonly consists of two
cornerbacks and two safeties. |
