Positions and roles
Running back (RB)
The primary ball carrier, who also catches passes and blocks in protection.
The running back is the primary ball carrier. Modern backs are also route runners out of the backfield and the last line of pass protection when a blitz comes free.
Vision and patience matter more than pure speed in zone schemes, where the back reads the flow of the line and makes one decisive cut.
Related terms
- Fullback (FB)A heavier back who lines up in front of the running back and blocks.
- Zone run schemeLinemen block areas and flow together while the back reads that flow for a lane.
- Run gaps (A, B, C, D)The lanes between offensive linemen: A between center and guard, B between guard and tackle, C outside the tackle, D outside the tight end.
More in Positions and roles
- Head coach (HC)
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Quarterback (QB)
- Fullback (FB)
- Wide receiver (WR)
- X receiver
- Z receiver (flanker)
- Slot receiver
- Tight end (TE)
- Offensive line (OL)
- Center (C)
- Guard (G)
- Left tackle and right tackle
- Defensive lineman (DL)
- EDGE
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Slot corner (nickel)
- Safety (SAF)
- Kicker (K)
- H-back