Back (American football)

This article does not cite any sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Back" American football – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (September 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

In American football, a back is a player who plays off of the line of scrimmage (as opposed to a lineman). Historically, the term "back" was used to describe multiple positions on offense and defense, although more descriptive and specific position naming is now common. Thus, "back" can refer to positions including:

* Cornerback, a member of the defensive team that primary defends wide receivers
* Defensive back, a member of the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage
* Dimeback, a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back
* Fullback, one of the two running back positions, along with the halfback
* Halfback, one of the two running back positions, along with the fullback
* H-back, an offensive position that lines up similarly to a tight end, but is set back from the line of scrimmage
* Linebacker, a member of the defensive team that is positioned approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage
* Nickelback, a cornerback or safety who serves as the additional defensive back in a nickel defense
* Quarterback, a member of the offensive team that lines up directly behind the offensive line and receives the snap of the ball at the beginning of a play
* Running back, a member of the offensive backfield whose primary role is to receive handoffs from the quarterback to run with the ball
* Singleback, an offensive formation that only requires one running back
* Slotback, a wide receiver on the offensive team that is positioned in the "slot" (located between the last offensive lineman/tight end and the next wide receiver)
* Upback, a blocker who lines up behind the line of scrimmage in punting situations
* Wingback, a position in the single wing formation, usually a running back

## See also[edit]

* History of American football positions
* Tailback (disambiguation)

This American football–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

|

* v
* t
* e

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template