Basic American Football Positions - Hobbies

While the rest of the world knows what a standard football game looks and feels like, American football offers a quite different, but interesting format. The game is basically played between two teams of eleven players each. The main goals of American football are to score points, by bringing the ball into the opponent's end zone. The ball can be brought to the other side by running or throwing it to a teammate. A point can also be made by running the ball to the opposing team's goal line, catching a pass that's thrown over the goal line, or by kicking the ball over the opposing team's goal post. Here's an overview of the basic American football positions.

The Offensive Position

The offense, or offensive team in American football starts a play from scrimmage in possession of the ball. A play starts when the quarter back takes a snap from the center, and hands the ball to a running back r receiver, or if he passes to a receiver or a running back. A quarterback can also run the ball, or spike the ball himself. The main objective of the offensive team is to earn points for the entire team, which they earn by scoring a touchdown. A touchdown in American football often earns a team six points. As soon as the offensive scores a touchdown, a Special Team comes into the field to attempt an extra point, which is done properly, earns the team an extra point. This football position or unit is normally composed of a quarter back, lineman, running backs, tight ends and wide receivers. The lineman's function is to block, while the offensive line is composed of two guards, two tight ends and two tackles. The running backs frequently carry the ball and receive sc reens and swing passes. The wide receiver's main function is to catch passes.

Defensive Football Positions

The defensive post is a football position that starts play from scrimmage, and not in possession of the ball. The main goal of the defensive team is to prevent the opponents from scoring. The defensive football position can be quite an aggressive one, because it seeks to attack the opposing team's quarterback, and pushes the offense back from the scrimmage line. A defensive football position however, has no formally-defined positions, and a defensive player can choose to line up anywhere on his side, and perform any legally-mandated action. The defensive unit is composed of defensive ends, defensive tackles, linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks. The defensive ends and tackles are collectively referred to as the defensive linemen, while the safeties and cornerbacks are called defensive backs. In the Unites States of America, high school football is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations, while the college football games are governed by the Na tional Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The professional sport is governed by the NFL, or National Football League.

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