Starting grid (American football)

In American football , a three-group system has mostly been used by professional teams since the 1950s. The 11-player starting grid for attack and defense usually get the most attention. The starting line-ups are defined as the eleven players who take part in the first offensive or defensive play of a given game. These are also known as starters . The third group, the special team , consists mostly of reserve players for defense and attack, with the exception of kickers and punters .

Offense

The attack line-up is severely limited by rules introduced as the game developed. Several positions are mandatory and must appear in every line-up, others are optional and are only set up by the coach if they are important for the planned move.

Abbreviation	Full name	annotation
QB	Quarterback	Optional, but effectively always occupied.
RB	Running back	Occasionally differentiated into halfback and fullback. Number and occupation are optional.
C.	center	Compulsory position
LG / RG	Left / right guard	On either side of the center. Compulsory position
LT / RT	Left / Right tackle	At either end of the five-man offensive line . Compulsory position
TE	Tight end	Number and occupation are optional, but either a tight end or a wide receiver must be at one end of the offensive line.
WR	Wide receiver

Defense

In recent history, a 4-3 defense formation (4 defensive line players and 3 linebackers) has mostly been played. The 3-4 defense formation (3 defensive line players and 4 linebackers) is also frequently used. In contrast to the offense, the defense has no position restrictions.

Abbreviation	Full name	annotation
DT	Defensive tackle	Number and occupation are optional, usually one or two are set up. If there is only one defensive tackle, it is also called a nose tackle (NT).
DE	Defensive end	Number and occupation are optional, but effectively two are always set up
LB	Linebacker	Number and occupation are optional, as a rule three or four are set up.
SS	Strong Safety	Number and occupation are optional, as a rule a strong safety is established.
FS	Free safety	Number and occupation are optional, as a rule a Free Safety is set up.
CB	Cornerback	Number and occupation are optional, usually two are set up.

Special teams

All special team positions are optional. In each formation there is a maximum of one player in such a position.

Abbreviation	Full name
K	Kicker
P	Punter
PR	Punt returner
KR	Kick returner
LS	Long snapper
-	Holder

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Bob Greene: In Defense Of The One-platoon System. In: chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune , November 22, 1993, accessed October 10, 2015 .