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