One of the most important positions in football is that of running back, a member of the offensive backfield, although its functions on the field go beyond running with the ball.
Therefore, here we explain the most important details about the running back position.
Running Backs: What do they do?
The main functions of running backs are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to line up as a receiver to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.
How many types of running backs are there?
The difference between the types of running backs depends on their characteristics such as their function on the field, their size and their strength.
There are three different types of running backs, a halfback (HB), a tailback (TB) and a fullback (FB). The first two positions are often thought of as the same, but each has its own characteristics.
Halfbacks
The halfback is one of the most important players, he stands near the quarterback on running plays and is usually the running back who carries the ball on most plays, plus he can be a receiver on short pass plays. He is usually faster and smaller than the fullback.
Tailbacks
A position similar to the halfback, but they are positioned behind the quarterback, forming a T-shape on the field, although they also have a versatile profile, since among their functions is to fill spaces where they are needed for different plays. They often catch the ball while in the backfield.
Fullbacks
These players rarely carry the ball, since nowadays it is more common to see them helping offensive linemen block potential tacklers before they reach the ball carrier, who is often the halfback. While they must be fast players, they are also strong at blocking opponents.
