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<h1 class="firstHeading" id="firstHeading" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: black; font-size: 1.6em; line-height: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_season">2011 NFL season</a></h1><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">The <b>2011 NFL season</b>, the 92nd <a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regular_season_(NFL)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Regular season (NFL)">regular season</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="National Football League">National Football League</a>, is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="New Orleans Saints">New Orleans Saints</a> traveling to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambeau_Field" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Lambeau Field">Lambeau Field</a>, the home of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLV" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Super Bowl XLV">Super Bowl XLV</a> champion <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Green Bay Packers">Green Bay Packers</a>; and end with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XLVI" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: underline;" title="Super Bowl XLVI">Super Bowl XLVI</a>, the league's championship game, on February 5, 2012 at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucas_Oil_Stadium" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Lucas Oil Stadium">Lucas Oil Stadium</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Indianapolis">Indianapolis</a>.</span>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-34370493465319007292011-07-27T09:45:00.000-07:002011-07-27T09:45:01.428-07:00Beginner's Guide to Football<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 13px;"></span><br />
<div class="subheadspace" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://css.static.nfl.com/static/site/3.4/img/subheaders/bg.gif); background-origin: initial; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; border-bottom-color: rgb(60, 76, 138); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 5px; height: 35px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><img alt="" src="http://static.nfl.com/static/content//public/static/img/rulebook/subhead_rulebook.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" /></div><div id="nflbasics" style="float: left; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 720px;"><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><h2 style="font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Beginner's Guide to Football</h2><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">One 11-man team has possession of the football. It is called the <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">offense</span> and it tries to advance the ball down the field-by running with the ball or throwing it - and score points by crossing the goal line and getting into an area called the <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">end zone</span>.</div><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The other team (also with 11 players) is called the <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">defense</span>. It tries to stop the offensive team and make it give up possession of the ball. If the team with the ball does score or is forced to give up possession, the offensive and defensive teams switch roles (the offensive team goes on defense and the defensive team goes on offense). And so on, back and forth, until all four quarters of the game have been played.</div><div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">In order to make it easier to coordinate the information in this digest, the topics discussed generally follow the order of the rule book.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE FIELD</span><br />
The field measures 100 yards long and 53 yards wide. Little white markings on the field called yard markers help the players, officials, and the fans keep track of the ball. Probably the most important part of the field is the <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">end zone</span>. It's an additional 10 yards on each end of the field. This is where the points add up! When the offense - the team with possession of the ball-gets the ball into the opponent's end zone, they score points.</div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">TIMING</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Games are divided into four 15-minute quarters, separated by a 12-minute break at halftime. There are also 2-minute breaks at the end of the first and third quarters as teams change ends of the field after every 15 minutes of play. At the end of the first and third quarters, the team with the ball retains possession heading into the following quarter. That is not the case before halftime. The second half starts with a kickoff in the same way as the game began in the first quarter.</div><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Each offensive team has 40 seconds from the end of a given play until they must snap of the ball for the start of the next play, otherwise they will be penalized.</div><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The clock stops at the end of incomplete passing plays, when a player goes out of bounds, or when a penalty is called. The clock starts again when the ball is re-spotted by an official.</div><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If a game is tied at the end of regulation, a 15-minute overtime period will be played. In the NFL, this is sudden death and the first team to score wins. Possession is determined before the period begins by a coin toss.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE PLAYERS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Each team has 3 separate units: the offense (see section below), those players who are on the field when the team has possession of the ball; the defense (see section below), players who line up to stop the other team's offense; and special teams that only come in on kicking situations (punts, field goals, and kickoffs). Only 11 players are on the field from one team at any one time.</div><br />
<span>To see how the players line up <a class="blackLink" href="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/lineup" style="color: black; text-decoration: underline !important;">click here</a></span></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE KICKOFF</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A game starts with the kickoff. The ball is placed on a kicking tee at the defense's 30-yard line, and a special kicker (a "placekicker") kicks the ball to the offense A kick return man from the offense will try to catch the ball and advance it by running. Where he is stopped is the point from which the offense will begin its drive, or series of offensive plays. When a kickoff is caught in the offense's own end zone, the kick returner can either run the ball out of the end zone, or kneel in the end zone to signal a touchback - a sign to stop the play. The ball is then placed on the 20-yard line, where the offense begins play.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">FIRST DOWN</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">All progress in a football game is measured in yards. The offensive team tries to get as much "yardage" as it can to try and move closer to the opponent's end zone. Each time the offense gets the ball, it has four downs, or chances, in which to gain 10 yards. If the offensive team successfully moves the ball 10 or more yards, it earns a <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">first down</span>, and another set of four downs. If the offense fails to gain 10 yards, it loses possession of the ball. The defense tries to prevent the offense not only from scoring, but also from gaining the 10 yards needed for a first down. If the offense reaches fourth down, it usually <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">punts</span> the ball (kicks it away). This forces the other team to begin its drive further down the field.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">MOVING THE BALL - The Run and the Pass</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A play begins with the snap. At the line of scrimmage (the position on the field where the play begins), the quarterback loudly calls out a play in code and the player in front of him, the center, passes, or snaps the ball under his legs to the quarterback. From there, the quarterback can either throw the ball, hand it off, or run with it.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE RUN</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">There are two main ways for the offense to advance the ball. The first is called a run. This occurs when the quarterback hands the ball off to a running back, who then tries to gain as many yards as possible by eluding defensive players. The quarterback is also allowed to run with the ball.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE PASS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The other alternative to running the ball is to throw it. Or as they say in football, pass it! Usually, the quarterback does the passing, though there are times when another player may pass the ball to confuse the defense. Actually, anyone on the offensive team is allowed to pass the ball as long as the pass is thrown from behind the line of scrimmage. A pass is complete if the ball is caught by another offensive player, usually the "wide receiver" or "tight end." If the ball hits the ground before someone catches it, it is called an <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">incomplete pass</span>.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE TACKLE</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The defense prevents the offense from advancing the ball by bringing the ball carrier to the ground. A player is tackled when one or both of his knees touch the ground. The play is then over. A play also ends when a player runs out of bounds.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">SCORING</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The object of the game is to score the most points. There are four ways to score points in football.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">TOUCHDOWN = 6 POINTS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">A touchdown is the biggest single score in a football game. It is worth six points, and it allows the scoring team an opportunity to attempt to get an extra point. To score a touchdown, the ball must be carried across the goal line into the end zone, caught in the end zone, or a fumble recovered in the end zone, or an untouched kickoff recovered in the end zone by the kicking team.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">EXTRA POINT and the TWO-POINT CONVERSION = 1 or 2 POINTS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Immediately following a touchdown, the ball is placed at the opponent's two-yard line, where the offense has two options. Usually the offense will kick an <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">extra point</span>, also called the <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">point after touchdown</span>, conversion, or <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">PAT</span>. If the offense successfully kicks the ball through the goal posts, it earns one point. The offense can also score two points by running or throwing the ball into the end zone in the same manner as you would score a touchdown. Since going for two points is more difficult than kicking an extra point, the offense generally chooses to kick the extra point.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">FIELD GOAL = 3 POINTS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">If the offense cannot score a touchdown, it may try to kick a <span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">field goal</span>. Field goals are worth three points and often are the deciding plays in the last seconds of close games. They can be attempted from anywhere on the field on any down, but generally are kicked from inside the defense's 45-yard line on fourth down. For a field goal to be "good", the placekicker (or field goal kicker) must kick the ball through the goal-post uprights and over the crossbar. The defense tries to block the kick and stop the ball from reaching the goal post.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">SAFETY = 2 POINTS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The safety is worth two points. A safety occurs when the offensive ball carrier is tackled behind his own goal line.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">TURNOVERS</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">While trying to advance the football to the end zone, the offense may accidentally turn the ball over to the defense in one of two ways:</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE FUMBLE</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">When the ball carrier or passer drops the ball, that's a fumble. Any player on the field can recover the ball by diving on it or he can run with it. The team that recovers a fumble either gets-or retains-possession of the ball.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE INTERCEPTION</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">An aggressive defense can regain possession of the ball by catching (intercepting) passes meant for players on the other team. Both fumble recoveries and interceptions can be run back into the end zone for touchdowns.</div></div><div class="wSpace10px" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"></div><span class="nflbasics_subheader bold" style="font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; padding-left: 10px;">THE TWO SIDES OF THE BALL</span><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE OFFENSE</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Whichever team has possession of the ball is the offense. While only the quarterback, the wide receivers and tight ends, and the running backs can legally handle the ball, it is the quarterback who is the leader of the team and the playmaker. In fact, he's a man of many talents - he not only throws the ball, he outlines each play to his team.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE OFFENSIVE PLAYERS</span><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The quarterback ("QB") passes or hands off the ball.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The center snaps the ball to the QB and blocks the defense.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 guards and 2 tackles keep the defense at bay.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2/4 wide receivers catch the ball thrown by the QB.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 or 2 running backs take the ball and run with it.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 or 2 tight ends block the defense and can also catches passes.</li>
</ul></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE DEFENSE</span><br />
<div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The job of the defense is to stop the offense. The 11 men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense's end zone.</div></div><div class="newsfont" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;"><span class="bold" style="font-weight: bold;">THE DEFENSIVE PLAYERS</span><br />
<ul style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Linebackers defend against the pass, and push forward to stop the run or tackle the QB.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The defensive line (ends and tackles) battles head-to-head against the offensive line.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Cornerbacks and safeties defend against the pass from the QB to the wide receiver and help to stop the run.</li>
</ul></div></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-2526161383892805252011-07-27T09:26:00.000-07:002011-07-27T09:26:01.689-07:00Positions Key<div style="background-color: transparent;"><div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.7576579563319683" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div><div class="c17 c6" style="direction: ltr; text-align: center;"></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><div dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.7576579563319683" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Positions key</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><div dir="ltr"><table style="border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;"><colgroup><col width="22"></col><col width="109"></col><col width="6"></col><col width="26"></col><col width="96"></col><col width="6"></col><col width="22"></col><col width="92"></col><col width="6"></col><col width="23"></col><col width="105"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Center </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="background-color: lightgrey; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornerback </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="background-color: lightgrey; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive back </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="background-color: lightgrey; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">E</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive end</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DL</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)#Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive lineman</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)#Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DT</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Defensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive tackle</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Defensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fullback</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FS</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#Free_safety"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free safety</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">G</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guard</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Halfback</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">K</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placekicker"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Placekicker</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placekicker"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">KR</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_returner"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kick returner</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linebacker</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LS</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Long snapper</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OT</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Offensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offensive tackle</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Offensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OL</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)#Offensive_line"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offensive lineman</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NT</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Nose_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nose tackle</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#Nose_tackle"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punter</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PR</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_returner"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punt returner</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_returner"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">QB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quarterback</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running back</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SS</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#Strong_safety"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strong safety</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#Strong_safety"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TB</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tailback</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TE</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tight end</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WR</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide receiver</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 3px; padding-right: 3px; padding-top: 3px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">C</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_and_British_English_spelling_differences"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spelled centre in Canadian English</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). The center is the innermost </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lineman</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on a football team's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The center is also the player who passes (or "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">snaps</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">") the ball between his legs to the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at the start of each </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_from_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">play</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In recent years, the importance of centers for a football team has increased, due to the re-emergence of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-4_defense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3-4 defenses</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. According to</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baltimore Ravens</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> general manager </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzie_Newsome"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ozzie Newsome</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, "you need to have somebody who can neutralize that </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nose tackle</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. If you don't, everything can get screwed up. Your running game won't be effective and you'll also have somebody in your quarterback's face on every play."</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="125px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QvUnWo8tFsYj-tp9N9UkWTF5uxhsE5mr8309t5wb1tw3tbBc1l26VtOuaKkbPxnPw_p86rEVCVvRbllirIKqE2zMaUg3A0qnT3DHe5bcjufJDU8yLaY" width="250px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the positioning of a center in an offensive formation.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roles</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center's</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> first and primary role is to pass the football to the quarterback. This exchange is called a snap. Most offensive schemes make adjustments based on how the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> align itself to the offensive line, and what gaps they line up in. Because the center has an ideal view of the defensive formation before the snap, he typically makes the first line call. This call is typically based on the position of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_linemen"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive linemen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or linebackers in his gaps (0i-1i), most subsequent adjustments are dependent on this call. In some cases the center may call an adjustment for the entire offensive line.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the snap, the center performs </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blocking</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> assignments. The blocking assignments vary by offense but typically consist of the following:</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Run blocking</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Run blocking assignments will vary based on the current play and the defensive formation when the ball is snapped. Typically, these assignments consist of the following:</span><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blocking middle or backside linebackers in certain formations, then moving up to secondary levels if no linebacker is present.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Assisting </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guards</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in their blocking assignments. This may be a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">/guard double-team where the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and guard are assigned to the same target (usually a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive tackle</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) to get extra push or drive. Assistance may also be just a quick hit or "chip" to throw the defensive player off balance and help the guard to execute his block, while the center moves up to higher level targets.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Backside blocking of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive tackles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for pulling guards. In some offensive schemes, certain plays will involve "pulling" an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_lineman"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive lineman</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to block for the ball carrier. If a guard needs to pull for a block, the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will typically block the defensive tackle in order to fill the guard's void.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pass Blocking</span></h3><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pass blocking for a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is very similar to the above Run Blocking section. The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will initially help guards based on the position of the defensive linemen. In the case of a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the center may need to pick up a rushing linebacker,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">corner</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A good center also needs to stay vigilant during pass blocking to protect against defensive stunts and twists.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During the play</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On most plays, the center will snap the ball directly into the quarterback's hands. In a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_formation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shotgun formation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the center snaps the ball to the quarterback lined up several yards behind him. In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punt</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goal</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> formations, the center also snaps the ball several yards behind him to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holder_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holder</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on the field goal unit. Because bad snaps can ruin </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> plays and cause turnovers, some teams have a center who is specifically trained for snapping the ball in punt and field goal formations. This player is often referred to as the team's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Also, the center does not have to snap the ball to the quarterback, holder, or punter. He is allowed to snap the ball to anyone behind him. Because of this, some plays involve snaps directly to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> instead of the player generally expected to receive the snap, hoping to fool the defense.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In slang, the player receiving the snap is said to be "under center" if he receives the ball directly from the center (not in shotgun). This phrase is typically applied to quarterbacks, but has been used in reference to other positions as well.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special teams</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In special teams situations, the center is a long snapper, who snaps the ball to a punter standing approximately 12-14 yards behind him, or to the holder for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place-kicker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">place-kicker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, kneeling approximately 7 yards (6.4 m) behind him. These long snappers are players particularly talented at performing these snaps, and are sometimes a different player from the regular center.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Drawing penalties</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although the quarterback commands the ball, it is the center's snap that renders the ball in play; the defensive line may not cross the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> until the center snaps the football. An astute center can help draw an opposing team offside prior to the snap or potentially trick the other team into a penalty by quickly snapping the ball while the opposing team attempts to substitute players.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">college football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Rimington_Trophy"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dave Rimington Trophy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is awarded annually to the nation's most outstanding center.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornerback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cornerback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CB</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) (also referred to as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">corner</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a member of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive backfield</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or secondary in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Cornerbacks cover </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebackers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The cornerback position requires speed and agility. A cornerback's skillset typically requires proficiency in anticipating the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, back-pedalling, executing single and zone coverage, disrupting pass routes, shedding blockers, and tackling.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="147px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FD7UoZE9bIz2siwIuT-dYgAYentR39AiK0ZGZdAlZNia7dCXgXDnUiPSZI0bO3DvUlRLh0BYz9PCS1s7jg-l4SSwyiV_t5kTdyCcTj4uwfVKTx9UnmY" width="220px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornerbacks across from their assigned receivers in a base 3-4 defense</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive backs</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (DBs) are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> players and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebackers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of scrimmage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defensive backs, in turn, generally are classified into several different specialized positions:</span><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cornerback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which include</span></li>
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nickel back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the fifth defensive back in some sets</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimeback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dime back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the sixth defensive back in some sets</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The seventh defensive back, in the exceedingly rare 'quarter' set</span></li>
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: square; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">known as a dollar back or a quarter back (not to be confused with the offensive player who throws the ball)</span></li>
</ul></ul></ul><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The group of defensive backs is known collectively as the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">secondary</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They most often defend the wide receiver corps, however, at times they may also line up against a tight end or a split out running back. They are usually the smallest, quickest players on the field.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive end</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">DE</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is the name of a defensive position in the sport of</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years. Eleven-time pro bowler and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Hall of Famer </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Smith_(defensive_end)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bruce Smith</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, usually considered one of the best defensive ends ever, is the all-time leader in career sacks with 200.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="147px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/k1kWfgYT0tKKd_UdTtcq9TxVwvtOGx0Er0phQp5w8Yjs1HSuu-g1IOhBNAA_DCDAI39u2uDVSU5_nBIgKx0b6RHdq2fUsiUQi63-yjAAZKC8WY_YZs8" width="220px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defensive end position in a base 4-3 defense</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lineman </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)#Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive lineman</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> DL</span></h1><h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive line</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr"><img height="229px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ORNH22_BRETVjlbQOERhQt_kH4jUbqoLPcoI2kbHkwze0_1NqIGCwNdtZk44ieOWQR7pa-JzQ5pKAfCcz7s3R21v0S8bMb2OumZrUoBT2Bs1KiGFf24" width="293px;" /></h2><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive lineman </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Wilfork"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vince Wilfork</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Patriots"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New England Patriots</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Patriots"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defensive line consists of one or two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_tackles"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive tackles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_ends"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive ends</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who play outside the defensive tackles. The defensive line works with the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebackers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to try to control the line of scrimmage. The 4-3 defensive formation, most commonly used in the NFL, employs two defensive tackles (and a defensive line of four men, with three linebackers behind them), while the 3-4 formation uses just a single defensive tackle, called the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nose_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nose tackle</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (and a defensive line of three men, with four linebackers behind them).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On running plays, the goal is to tackle the ball carrier. The defensive line attempts to maintain their original formation (even spacing without holes), but also to prevent any members of the opposing offensive line from successfully engaging the linebackers, who chase down the ball carrier. The defensive tackles are usually the most skilled run defenders on the team.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On passing plays, the defensive line tries to reach the quarterback. Ideally, the defensive players are able to tackle the quarterback for a loss (a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sack</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), but in practice the quarterback will usually manage to throw the ball before an actual tackle is made; the goal is thus to put pressure on the quarterback as quickly as possible to force him to throw the ball before he can find an open receiver. Defensive ends are usually the most skilled pass rushers on the team. In order to increase the pressure on the quarterback, teams will often have players other than the defensive line attempt to tackle the quarterback; this is called a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because the defense does not know whether the offense is attempting to run a passing play or a running play (or whether a quarterback will give up on an attempt to pass and instead run with the ball), they must balance passing and running strategies: running around offensive linemen and avoiding contact may allow faster pressure on a quarterback, but it also leaves a hole in the defensive line and frees an offensive lineman to engage a linebacker, enabling a big running play.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive linemen--particularly defensive ends--are called upon to do more running than offensive linemen, thus they usually tend to be somewhat smaller and faster</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><img height="243px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uE8AMT1i6phhPJHT-9_H4oX3lhzXVhXuhYLqvqWvAnh1WXxIxcOPnGiBchW5sQtf7-q7EutoQS-YbaaUM0INF1zKP1xOK6Gx4vBp6Vyq1Yj1Q3WYZk" width="350px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen (in 4-3 formation) in red and offensive linemen in green.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defensive tackle</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive tackle</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (abbreviated "DT") is typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. The defensive tackle typically lines up opposite one of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive guards</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Depending on a team's individual defensive scheme, a defensive tackle may be called upon to fill several different roles. These roles may include merely holding the point of attack by refusing to be moved, or penetrating a certain gap between offensive linemen to break up a play in the opponent's backfield. If a defensive tackle reads a pass play, his primary responsibility is to pursue the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or simply knock the pass down at the line if it's within arm's reach. Other responsibilities of the defensive tackle may be to pursue the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screen_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">screen pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or drop into coverage in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_blitz"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">zone blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> scheme. In a traditional </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-3_defense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4-3 defensive set</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, there is no nose tackle. Instead there is a left and right defensive tackle.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#cite_note-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fullback </span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FB</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> backfield in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and is one of the two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> positions along with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Typically, fullbacks are larger in size than halfbacks and in most offensive schemes their duties are split between power running and blocking for both the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the other running back.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many of the great runners of the history of American football have been fullbacks, notably </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Brown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jim Brown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franco_Harris"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Franco Harris</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Csonka"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Larry Csonka</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; in recent years the position has evolved to be more a blocker than a runner, with occasional pass-catching duties. While some teams have actually phased-out fullbacks altogether in favor of two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> sets (notably, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Colts"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indianapolis Colts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have fullback spots filled by backup tight ends), the remaining prominent fullbacks in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovie_Mughelli"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ovie Mughelli</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Weaver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leonard Weaver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Schmitt"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Owen Schmitt</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Richardson_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tony Richardson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are typically employed for breaking through tight defensive alignments, often in short-yardage situations as they are usually larger and heavier than halfbacks or tailbacks, or for screen passes. As a result, fullbacks are typically known less for speed and agility and more for muscularity and the ability to shed tackles. However, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le%27Ron_McClain"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Le'Ron McClain</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was the rushing leader for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008, being deployed from the fullback position.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although technically a running back, typically fullbacks are primarily valued for their blocking in most modern day offenses. In many offensive schemes, the fullback is used as a receiver, especially when the defense blitzes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The position is less frequently used in Canadian football, which focuses more on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">passing</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> than running the ball.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><img height="125px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FizebrG1MTkVBN7u0UUNw0kXPBwsffS4z2FbZXrpe0yFtoHlr8WrF768PdkIRUmxWomWzSLDX0L3RhCmQNzD8pY-kiIndDYzpU43VHO8BCiAvOJbwko" width="250px;" /><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Example of fullback positioning in an offensive formation.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h2><h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free safety</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The free safety tends to be smaller and faster than the strong safety. His job tends to be to keep some distance from the line of scrimmage, watch the play unfold, and follow the ball. The free safety would correspond to the quarterback in man coverage, but as the quarterback usually remains in the pocket the free safety is "free" to double cover another player. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to assist the cornerback on his side and to close the distance to the receiver by the time the ball reaches him. Offenses tend to use the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-action_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">play-action pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> specifically to make the free safety expect a run play, which would draw him closer to the line of scrimmage, and reduce his effectiveness as a pass defender. Furthermore, quarterbacks often use a technique to "look off" a free safety, by purposely looking to the other side of the field during a pass play, with the intention to lure the free safety away from the intended target receiver on the other side of the field. This phenomenon often tests how effective a free safety's wit and athleticism are at defending long pass plays. If the offense puts a receiver in the slot, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver. Free safeties occasionally </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well. When this happens, the pressure on the quarterback is often very severe since a blitz by a defensive back is not usually anticipated. Free safeties, because of their speed and deep coverage, are often prone to catching interceptions.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Standout retired free safeties include </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Krause"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paul Krause</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wilson"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Larry Wilson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Wood_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Willie Wood</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Reed"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ed Reed</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Collins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nick Collins</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are among the best active free safeties.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guard </span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guard</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">G</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a player that lines up between the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tackles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on the offensive line of a football team.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The guard's job is to protect </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from the incoming </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> during pass plays, as well as creating openings (holes) for the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to head through. Guards perform speed blocking and "pulling"—sprinting out in front of a running back in order to block for him. Guards are automatically considered </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligible_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ineligible receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, so they cannot intentionally touch a forward pass, unless it is to recover a fumble or is first touched by a defender or eligible receiver.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Guards, like other linemen, today are often over 300 pounds (135 kg). To date, no lineman over 300 pounds has ever been elected to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Football_Hall_of_Fame"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pro Football Hall of Fame</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but linemen of this mass have become prevalent only since the mid-1980s.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Right guards</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RG</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is the term for the guards on the right of the offensive line, while </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">left guards</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LG</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) are on the left.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Halfback </span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, sometimes referred to as a tailback</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which lines up in the backfield</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive position. In the related sport of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(Canadian_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> rather than offensive position.</span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Placekicker</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Placekicker</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or simply </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kicker</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PK</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">K</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), is the title of the player in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who is responsible for the kicking duties of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goals</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_point"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extra points</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In many cases, the placekicker also serves as the team's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_specialist"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoff specialist</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">KOS</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or, more rarely, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), as well.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kickoff returner</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kick returner</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">KR</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is the player on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who is primarily responsible to catch </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoffs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and attempts to return them in the opposite direction. If the ball is kicked into his own endzone, he must assess the situation on the field while the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ball"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ball</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is in the air and determine if it would be beneficial to his team for a return. If he decides that it is not, he can make a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by kneeling down in the end zone after catching the ball, which gives his team the ball at their own 20-yard line to start the drive.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is usually one of the faster players on the team, often a backup </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A kick returner might also double as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_returner"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punt returner</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><img height="346px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/k8BT1m5i4f1JTDndrFcfIDtc4XHeaD_cIm2jUMWQQWQL5WoLHGORu_3UA-StdqinhKL413xZ_Qx2jox3c3Am5tVzFkbc7OrGGVnOdtGYnZ5pwgxrryw" width="179px;" /><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chicago Bears</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' kickoff returner</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devin_Hester"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devin Hester</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes players who make big plays at the punt or kick returner positions become well known "return specialist" players. (e.g. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante_Hall"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dante Hall</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Washington"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leon Washington</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Howard"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Desmond Howard</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Cribbs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Josh Cribbs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devin_Hester"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devin Hester</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Sproles"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Darren Sproles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Metcalf"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eric Metcalf</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Mitchell_(running_back)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brian Mitchell</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacman_Jones"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pacman Jones</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Johnson_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Billie "White Shoes" Johnson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danieal_Manning"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Danieal Manning</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kickoff return touchdown percentage</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The following table ranks all </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> kick returners with at least 4 touchdown returns through the 2008 season by touchdown return percentage:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linebacker</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebacker</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LB</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> that was invented by football coach </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fielding_H._Yost"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fielding H. Yost</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Michigan"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">University of Michigan</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Linebackers are members of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_team"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive team</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and line up approximately three to five yards (4 m) behind the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, behind the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_linemen"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive linemen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Linebackers generally align themselves before the ball is snapped by standing upright in a "two point stance" (as opposed to the defensive linemen, who put one or two hands on the ground for a "three point stance" or "four point stance" before the ball is snapped).</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><img height="190px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RAV6hGsJr_F7IAybOt8xJ2C2VcdOzGfiuifqtTN243wM9-gd4CxmJkTjN58jVC_DWvkBfb9K3qWgb4cCCMg7S_yPTV272Ls0C6pZ0NSkKdcTh_D52D8" width="250px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two college football linebackers (MLB and LOLB) backing up their defensive line while the ROLB (front, upright) threatens to blitz</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Types of linebackers</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr"><img height="375px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5qx35XgUhAEcP7kXaWZ1SSKAQnhmZAMpbk8BVs5Xz8ajEQr5HDsh7Y7BZKHF12N1XT59EJDXNWayONGH_P7ykrgsoYDYHb4Qqb_yo8BdBKDhzbksKOg" width="293px;" /></h2><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 21pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baltimore Ravens</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' linebacker </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Lewis"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ray Lewis</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Lewis"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are several different designations of linebackers: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">strongside</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">middle</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">weakside</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Usually the strongside and weakside are combined under the title </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">outside</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and the middle is renamed </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">inside</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In many formations and systems, teams do not use the strong and weakside designations, and merely play their outside linebackers consistently on one side of the formation and designate them either right outside linebacker and left outside linebacker.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These terms are abbreviated ROLB and LOLB when appearing in lineup cards.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Middle linebacker (MLB)</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The middle linebacker, often referred to as "Mike," was invented by the Chicago Bears in the early 1950s. The middle linebacker is often referred to as the "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the defense". Often it is the middle linebacker that receives the defensive play calls from the sideline and relays that play to the rest of the team–and in the NFL he is usually the defensive player with the electronic sideline communicator. A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_of_all_trades,_master_of_none"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jack-of-all-trades</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the middle linebacker can be asked to blitz (though they often blitz less than the outside linebacker), cover, spy the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or even have a deep middle-of-the-field responsibility in the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tampa 2</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> defense. In standard defenses, middle linebackers commonly lead the team in tackles.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside linebacker (OLB)</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The outside linebacker is usually responsible for outside containment. This includes the strongside and weakside designations below.</span><br />
<h4 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strongside linebacker</span></h4><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed "Sam" for purposes of calling a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Since the strong side of the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_team"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive team</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the side on which the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end. Often the strongside linebacker will be called upon to tackle the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on a play, because the back will be following the tight end's block. He is most often the strongest linebacker; at the least he possesses the ability to withstand, shed, and fight off blocks from a tight end or fullback blocking the backside of a pass play. The linebacker should also have strong </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> abilities in pass situation to cover the tight end in man on man situations. He should also have considerable quickness to read and get into coverage in zone situations.</span><br />
<h4 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weakside linebacker</span></h4><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The weakside linebacker, or the "Will", must be the fastest of the three, because he is often the one called into pass coverage. He is also usually chasing the play from the backside, so the ability to maneuver through traffic is a necessity for the Will. The Will usually aligns off the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at the same depth as Mike. Because of his position on the weakside, the Will does not often have to face large interior linemen one on one unless one is pulling. In coverage, the Will often covers the back that attacks his side of the field first in man coverage, while covering the weak flat or hook/curl areas in zone coverage. In a 3-4 defense the "Will" Linebacker plays on the "weakside" of the two middle Linebacker positions and a 4th Linebacker comes in to play the weakside. Known as a "Rush", "Rover", "Jack" and/or "Buck" Linebacker, their responsibility is more pass rush based but often is called into run stop (gap control) and pass coverage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Long snapper</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the term </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> refers to a player who is a specialized </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> during </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goals</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_point"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extra point</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> attempts. His job is to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">snap</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the ball as quickly and accurately as possible.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goals</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_point"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">point after touchdown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the snap is received by the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holder_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holder</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. During punt plays the snap is delivered to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A good, consistent long snapper is hard to find, and many marginally talented players have found a niche exclusively as long snappers.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A "bad snap" is a snap which causes the delay of a kick or the failure of a play.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The long snapper still performs the normal tasks of a center and also runs downfield after the ball has been punted to help defend the punt return.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="240px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YV0iKa1d_x6_KKNVXVv_XimmIj9aJ52epqMxA8WvCsh3ccbR_CDzYIRYTEiayE5Q7hoiSQv1VqQO2Tgh-ubkq3fq2zOJWNoc8jEoaRo7MsTSqkGY98Y" width="240px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Diagram of a punt formation, the </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">deep snapper</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is indicated by the blue "DS"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="124px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IZKXV4Qs0ZRQNTtUAgXg8YfkB-JgrI3LgwOv0x66oVU_TnXWHFcQG_0-gnDUuvqL86N8hlUqNBg3XFrKcrI2Dl2tvJQ0_QfXFD3F_vH0pZSsLaO7Kfk" width="240px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punt</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> formation, the </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">deep snapper</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the center of the interior line (#58 in blue)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offensive tackle</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive tackle</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">OT</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, left and right. Like other offensive linemen, their job is to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">block</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: to physically keep defenders away from the offensive player who has the football. The term "tackle" is a vestige of an earlier era of football, in which the same players played both offense and defense.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A tackle is the strong position on the offensive line. They power their blocks with quick steps and maneuverability. The tackles are mostly in charge of the outside protection. If the tight end goes out for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the tackle must cover everyone that his </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guard</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> doesn’t, plus whoever the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> isn’t covering. Usually they defend against </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive ends</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, offensive tackles often measure over 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) and 300 pounds (140 kg).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the current version of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-11_offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A-11 offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, offensive tackles are known as "anchors," and have a significantly different role.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_Illustrated"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sports Illustrated</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> football journalist </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Zimmerman"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Offensive Tackles consistently achieve the highest scores, relative to the other positional groups, on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderlic_Test"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wonderlic Test</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, with an average of 26. The Wonderlic is taken before the draft to assess each player's aptitude for learning and problem solving; a score of 26 is estimated to correspond with an</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IQ"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">IQ</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of 112.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offensive lineman</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interior offensive line</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> consists of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who is responsible for snapping the ball into play, two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guard_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">guards</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who flank the center, and two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_tackle"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive tackles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who flank the guards; NFL rules require that a team have all five of these interior linemen on the field for every offensive play. In addition to the interior line, a full offensive line may also include a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> outside one or both of the tackles.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Interior offensive linemen are not eligible to catch forward passes, and are not allowed to have advanced past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is thrown unless they are in contact with a defensive player. However, tight ends are eligible to catch passes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On running plays, the primary job of the offensive line is to create space for the ball carrier to run, either by pushing all defensive players backwards past the line of scrimmage, or by pushing defensive players to the side to allow the ball carrier to run past them. On some running plays, an offensive lineman will </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pull</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by backing out of his initial position and running behind the other offensive linemen to engage a defensive player beyond the initial width of the offensive line; in modern games this duty usually falls to guards.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On passing plays the offensive line is responsible for stopping defensive players from tackling the quarterback before he has thrown the ball. Stopping these players indefinitely is usually not possible, so the main objective of the offensive line is to slow them down, providing the quarterback with several seconds to identify an open receiver and throw the ball.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An offensive lineman's motion during a play is often limited to just a few quick steps to establish position, followed by a wrestling match similar to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sumo</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Offensive linemen thus tend to be the largest players on the field, with excellent agility and balance but limited straight-line running speed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When an offensive linemen knocks a player down on a block without falling down themselves, it is often known as a pancake block.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><img height="243px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/wsrJM13hiXjW91_NMTLgJafqLFPfOgjR80QIeMpUS9V6drlq7i1rbNXuhq_VS-FQU9rg9kUNiK4n5RNMuqilChgTSdtryidAg8mSKukHYh4LHYV0g8U" width="350px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen (in 4-3 formation) in red and offensive linemen in green.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nose tackle</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nose tackle</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (also </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nose guard</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a defensive alignment position for a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_lineman"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive lineman</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In the 3-4 defensive scheme the sole defensive tackle is referred to as the nose tackle. The nose tackle aligns across the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from the offense's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> before the play begins in the "0-technique" position. In five-linemen situations, such as a goal-line formation, the nose guard is the innermost lineman, flanked on either side by a defensive tackle or</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The nose guard is also used in a 50 read defense. In this defense there is a nose guard, two defensive tackles, and two outside linebackers who can play on the line of scrimmage or off the line of scrimmage in a two point stance. The nose guard lines up head up on the center about six to eighteen inches off the ball. In a reading 50 defense, the nose guard's key is to read the offensive center to the ball. In run away, the nose guard's job is to shed the blocker and pursue down the line of scrimmage, taking an angle of pursuit. The primary responsibility of the nose tackle in this scheme is to absorb multiple blockers so that other players in the defensive front can attack ball carriers and rush the quarterback.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In order for a 3-4 to be effective, it needs a dominant nose tackle, which is very hard to find. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Washington"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ted Washington</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who in his prime weighed around 400 pounds, is considered the prototypical 3-4 nose tackle of his era. A few examples of nose tackles in the NFL are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Wilfork"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vince Wilfork</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casey_Hampton"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Casey Hampton</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Gregg"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kelly Gregg</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Ratliff"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jay Ratliff</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_Williams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jamal Williams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Jenkins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kris Jenkins</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Williams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kyle Williams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Garay"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Antonio Garay</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._J._Raji"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">B. J. Raji</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aubrayo_Franklin"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aubrayo Franklin</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sione_Pouha"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sione Pouha</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Taylor"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Phil Taylor</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenrick_Ellis"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kenrick Ellis</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrence_Cody"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Terrence Cody</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, among others.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="147px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/grd0tWw5QkFBcwaJkwChTxTQItpD9zRsjUOlt_3SJfCvSYbDGdUh7e2AL44_eCQdOiOhkBFALZ-ZsqJQ1hj1oNqMWw-bGO1kU1us4Wnk2DK2a_1syJs" width="220px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A lone nose tackle in the base 3-4 defensive formation</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punter </span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">P</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(kicks) the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a third down in the Canadian version. Punters may also occasionally take part in fake punts in those same situations, when they throw or run the football instead of punting.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="165px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VEriFUjInpGARYa_qKbm4g7PYvvGg8Ypz4YHcHM5_6HgfTP3Qm2A6ktvYv664Hv8yEnyMzvF-CjA3l15WWDgB5JCXLDJgN10XvWn3V9mu35Y2rqlGFI" width="220px;" /><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shane_Lechler"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shane Lechler</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Raiders"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oakland Raiders</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punts the ball in November 2008.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skills</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A punter must be skilled in angling the football and/or kicking it as high as possible (called "hangtime") to maximize his teammates’ ability to eliminate a punt returner's forward progress. Also, the punter will try to make the ball spin in an unusual manner making it harder to catch, which could result in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muffed_punt"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">muff</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and potentially lead to the punter's team gaining possession.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punters are rarely well known or recognized by fans, but play a major role in winning the field position battle. Today, punters have increasingly begun to pull double duty as the holder on field goal attempts and also being used on kickoffs. One of the main reasons why punters are starting to take over the holder position is that the backup quarterback is usually busy with the rest of the offense and has little time to devote to holding. The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for field goals is usually the punt snapper as well, so the punter already has developed a chemistry with the snapper and is used to catching a long-snapped ball.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punters are also kickers and understand kicking mechanics better, such as knowing how far back to lean the ball and better judging whether to abort a field goal attempt. Punters are usually on their own during team practices, allowing them the time to work with the kicker, so the punter and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placekicker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">placekicker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> tend to develop a close rapport. Many punters also double duty as kickoff specialists as most punters have been at one point field goal kickers as well and some, such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_Hentrich"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Craig Hentrich</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, have filled in as worthy backup field goal kickers.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coffin corner</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">coffin corner</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> refers to the corner of the playing field just in front of the end zone, usually from the 5-yard line to the goal line. A perfect coffin corner kick is one that goes out of bounds just before either orange pylon located in the front of the end zone. The punter tries to place the ball so that it lands out of bounds or is downed on the field by another member of the kicking team anywhere inside the 5-yard line without touching the goal line, thus forcing difficult field position for the receiving team on their next scrimmage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The name arises by extension from the coffin corner found in Victorian houses, for if the kick is slightly too far into the end zone or if a member of the kicking team touches the goal line while maintaining possession of the ball, a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is awarded, losing the advantage that comes with a successful execution of the kick. If the ball goes out of bounds too far upfield, the receiving team will usually have more options on offense, such as being able to drop back for a pass without fear of possibly giving up a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. More often than not, a kicker's attempt to land the ball accurately within the coffin corner fails, as the amount of skill required to angle a kick inside such a small area is extraordinary.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This type of kick can also be attempted in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The difference is that if the ball becomes dead in the endzone in Canadian football, a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">single point</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is awarded to the kicking team and the conceding team scrimmages from their 35 yard line. In most cases however, the kicking team prefers the advantageous field position, not the point.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punt returner</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Punt returner</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PR</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Description</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punted</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and to give his team good field position (or a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchdown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> if possible) by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while the ball is still in the air. He must determine if it is actually beneficial for his team to attempt a return. If it appears that the players from the punting team will be too close to the returner by the time he catches the ball, or it appears the ball will go into his own</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_zone"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">end zone</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the punt returner can elect not to return the ball by choosing one of two options:</span><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Call for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fair catch</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by waving one arm above his head before catching the punt. This means that the play will end once the catch is made; the punt returner's team will get the ball at the spot of the catch and no return attempt can be made. The fair catch minimizes the chances of a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fumble</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or injury because it ensures that the returner is fully protected from the opposing team, whose players may not touch the returner or attempt to interfere with the catch in any way after the fair catch signal is given. In the NFL, a fair catch also allows the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_catch_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fair catch kick</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to be used on the next play, even with no time on the clock remaining, to attempt a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(American_and_Canadian_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goal</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> via free kick. However, this option is rarely exercised.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Avoid the ball and let it hit the ground. Under this option the ball will go into the returning team's end zone for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, go out of bounds and be spotted at that point, or come to final rest in the field of play and be downed by a player on the punting team. This is the safest option, as it completely eliminates the chance of a fumble and ensures that the returner's team will get possession of the ball. However, it also provides an opportunity for the punting team to pin the returner's team deep in their own territory by downing the ball or sending it out of bounds near the returner's end zone. This can not only give the return team poor field position, but can even lead to a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The position demands footspeed, quick reflexes, and good hands. Punt returners sometimes also return </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoffs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and usually play other positions, especially </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, although sometimes as backups. An analogous position exists in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, though differences in rules affect play considerably. See </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Canadian_and_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Comparison of Canadian and American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for a complete discussion of the punt returner's role in the Canadian game.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><img height="598px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Rm5E2uuSRoZ709HuaD0Q1e2o_l_k1-UIn2eyM9e1cklO2rnNC6iqvV_AP_yn209iVviOewJCQRT2_hLGbvChOAn5PQbxLvQlEJJQmEW7sCmwPrqc0cA" width="300px;" /><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devin_Hester"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Devin Hester</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> fielding a punt during the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> practice at the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chicago Bears</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 2007 Training Camp.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quarterback</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quarterback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">QB</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, originally called </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blocking back</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a position in</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Quarterbacks are members of the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_team"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive team</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and line up directly behind the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lineman_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Quarterbacks are the leaders of the offensive team, responsible for calling the play in the huddle.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every play starts with a "snap", an action where the offense's center gives the ball to the quarterback, or to another offensive player such as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or wide receiver. After receiving the ball, the quarterback either throws a pass or hands it to another offensive player; in some cases, the quarterback keeps the ball in an attempt to run or "scramble" past the defense.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At most levels, but especially at the college and professional level, the quarterback role is one of the most visible and important roles on the team. The quarterback touches the ball on nearly every offensive play and has a great deal of responsibility both in calling plays and making decisions during the play. While there is liberal substitution at most positions in football based on the play call and to minimize player fatigue, most quarterbacks are on the field for every offensive play leaving only for injury or when the game's outcome is no longer in doubt. Quarterbacks are frequently chosen early in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Draft</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and often receive much more lucrative contracts than other positions. As of 2011, players in this position have won more </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_MVP"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Super Bowl MVP</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> awards (24 of 45) than players at all other positions combined.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the term "quarterback" gained acceptance in the 1930s, it originally referred to the player's position relative to other members of the offensive backfield. Before the emergence of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-formation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T-formation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the 1940s, all members of the offensive backfield were legitimate threats to run or pass the ball, and most teams used four offensive backs on every play: a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback. The quarterback began each play a quarter of the way back, the halfbacks began each play side by side and halfway back, and the fullback began each play the farthest back. Now that most offensive formations have only one or two running backs, the original designations do not mean as much, as the fullback is now usually a lead blocker (technically a halfback), while the halfback or tailback (called such because he stands at the "tail" of the I) lines up behind the fullback.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traditionally, quarterbacks have been responsible for calling the team's offensive plays based on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_(sport)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defense's</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> formation, or game situation. To choose the proper play, quarterbacks often spend time rehearsing and studying prearranged plays during their team's practice sessions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In recent years, the rise of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_coordinator"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive coordinators</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has led partiality toward a scripted game plan. The offensive coordinators and coaches usually give the quarterback information via a built-in headphone in the helmet as to what to do before the play. Quarterbacks are allowed to hear, but not talk to, their coaches until there are fifteen seconds left on the play clock.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The quarterback then relays the information to teammates and executes the plays. When the players are set in a formation, the quarterback starts the play by calling out a code word, a number, or a combination of the two.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dallas Cowboys head coach </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Landry"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tom Landry</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was an early advocate of taking play calling out of the quarterback's hands. Although this remained a common practice in the NFL through the 1970s, fewer QBs were doing it by the 1980s and even Hall-of-Famers like </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Montana"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joe Montana</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> did not call their own plays. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Bills"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buffalo Bills</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> QB </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Kelly"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jim Kelly</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was one of the last to regularly call plays. Among current NFL QBs, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Manning"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peyton Manning</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Colts"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indianapolis Colts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Ryan"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Matt Ryan</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Falcons"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Atlanta Falcons</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> call all, or nearly all, of their team's plays using a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-huddle_offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">no-huddle offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, although they mostly just make adjustments to the plays given to him from the offensive coordinator.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quarterback </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shea_Smith"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shea Smith</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> looks to pass during the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Armed_Forces_Bowl"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2007 Armed Forces Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special tactics</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If quarterbacks are uncomfortable with the formation the defense is using, they may call an audible change to their play. For example, if a quarterback receives the call to execute a running play, but he notices that the defense is ready to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> – that is, to send additional defensive backs across the line of scrimmage in an attempt to tackle the quarterback or thwart his ability to pass – the quarterback may want to change the play. To do this, the quarterback yells a special code, like "Blue 42," or "Texas 29," which tells the offense to switch to a specific play or formation.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Also, quarterbacks can "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_(gridiron_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spike</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" or throw the football at the ground to stop the official game clock. For example, if a team is down by a field goal with only seconds remaining, a quarterback may spike the ball to prevent the game clock from running out. This usually allows the field goal unit to come onto the field, or attempt a final "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail_Mary_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hail Mary pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">". However, if a team is winning, a quarterback can keep the clock running by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_kneel"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kneeling</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> after the snap. This is normally done when the opposing team has no timeouts and there is little time left in the game, as it allows a team to burn up the remaining time on the clock without risking a turnover or injury.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Receiving</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While quarterbacks are mainly not a factor in terms of receiving forward passes, some trick plays, like the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_flicker_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flea flicker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, require quarterbacks to catch a lateral by a wide receiver or running back before delivering a forward pass. In the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wildcat formation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a quarterback lines up as a flank receiver who can be used to catch a forward pass. Typically the quarterback is not thrown to in this formation, but serves as a decoy, as even the least mobile quarterbacks are capable of catching a ball for positive yardage. Occasionally, some backup quarterbacks may be used to receive long snaps as a holder for </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goal</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_point"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extra point</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> attempts, as quarterbacks generally have good ball handling skills, and may have to become the passer in the event of a bad snap, an aborted kick attempt or a designed trick play.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under NFL rules, if a quarterback lines up under center, he is by definition ineligible and not allowed to receive a forward pass. However, in college and high school ball, quarterbacks are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligible_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eligible receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (by a special exemption in the high school rule books) regardless of whether they are under center or in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_formation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shotgun formation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The NFL allows a quarterback in a shotgun formation to receive a forward pass.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dual-threat quarterbacks</span></h2><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Vick"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Michael Vick</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a member of the NFC team at the NFL's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Pro_Bowl"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2006 Pro Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 14pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">uses his mobility to elude</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Freeney"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dwight Freeney</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With the rise of several blitz heavy defensive schemes and increasingly faster defensive players, the importance of a mobile quarterback has been redefined. While arm power, accuracy, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passing_pocket"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pocket</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> presence – the ability to successfully operate from within the "pocket" formed by his blockers – are still the most important quarterback virtues, the ability to elude or run past defenders creates an additional threat that allows greater flexibility in the team's passing and running game.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is generally more successful at the college level. Typically, a quarterback with exceptional quickness is used in an option offense, which allows the quarterback to either hand the ball off, run it himself, or pitch it to the running back following him at a distance of three yards outside and one yard behind. This type of offense forces defenders to commit to either the running back up the middle, the quarterback around the end, or the running back trailing the quarterback. It is then that the quarterback has the "option" to identify which match up is most favorable to the offense as the play unfolds and exploit that defensive weakness. In the college game, many schools employ several plays that are designed for the quarterback to run with the ball. This is much less common in professional football, except for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_sneak"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback sneak</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but there is still an emphasis on being mobile enough to escape a heavy </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pass rush</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Two quarterback system</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes a team is undecided on which quarterback should start a game. In that case, the team may employ alternating quarterbacks. This could have negative effects on the cohesion and consistency of the offensive team, but could also serve to confuse the defense. A rare successful example of a two-quarterback system can be seen in the "WoodStrock" combination of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Strock"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don Strock</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Woodley"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">David Woodley</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which took the Miami Dolphins to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_in_Miami"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Epic in Miami</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl_XVII"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Super Bowl XVII</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the following year.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running back</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RB</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> position, who is typically lined up in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football_positions#Offensive_backfield"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive backfield</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The primary roles of a running back are to receive </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_plays#Offensisexve_Plays"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">handoffs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_(American_football)#Offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rushing</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> play, to catch </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">passes</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from out of the backfield, and to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">block</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are usually one or two running backs on the field for a given play, depending on the offensive formation. A running back may be a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back#Halfback.2Ftailback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(HB for short, in certain contexts also referred to as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back#Halfback.2Ftailback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tailback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (FB).</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The running back/halfback (blue) in a typical </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_formation"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I formation</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h2><h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety </span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Safety</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">S</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, played by a member of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions#Defense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The safeties are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who line up from ten to fifteen yards behind the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. There are two variations of the position in a typical formation, the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free safety</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FS</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">strong safety</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">SS</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). Their duties depend on the defensive scheme. The defensive responsibilities of the safety and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cornerback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> usually involve pass coverage towards the middle and sidelines of the field, respectively.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Safeties are the last line of defense, and are thus expected to be sure tacklers. As professional and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">college football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have become more focused on the passing game, safeties have become more involved in covering the eligible pass receivers.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#cite_note-safety-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free safety and strong safety positions in the 3-4 defense</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Strong safety</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 21pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Former </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Redskins"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washington Redskins</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' free safety</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Taylor"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sean Taylor</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Taylor"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The strong safety tends to be somewhat larger and stronger than the free safety. However, the word </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">strong</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is used because he is assigned to cover the "strong side" of the offense, the side on which the big, powerful </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> lines up on offensive plays. The strong safety tends to play closer to the line and assist in stopping the run. He may also be responsible for covering a player, such as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(gridiron_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">H-back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who comes out of the backfield to receive a pass. A strong safety's duties are a hybrid of those belonging to a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebacker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and those of the other defensive backs, in that he both covers the pass and stops the run. Two of the most notable retired strong safeties are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Houston"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ken Houston</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lynch_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Lynch</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Among the best active strong safeties are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Polamalu"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Troy Polamalu</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Wilson_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adrian Wilson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Free safety</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The free safety tends to be smaller and faster than the strong safety. His job tends to be to keep some distance from the line of scrimmage, watch the play unfold, and follow the ball. The free safety would correspond to the quarterback in man coverage, but as the quarterback usually remains in the pocket the free safety is "free" to double cover another player. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to assist the cornerback on his side and to close the distance to the receiver by the time the ball reaches him. Offenses tend to use the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-action_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">play-action pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> specifically to make the free safety expect a run play, which would draw him closer to the line of scrimmage, and reduce his effectiveness as a pass defender. Furthermore, quarterbacks often use a technique to "look off" a free safety, by purposely looking to the other side of the field during a pass play, with the intention to lure the free safety away from the intended target receiver on the other side of the field. This phenomenon often tests how effective a free safety's wit and athleticism are at defending long pass plays. If the offense puts a receiver in the slot, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver. Free safeties occasionally </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">blitz</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well. When this happens, the pressure on the quarterback is often very severe since a blitz by a defensive back is not usually anticipated. Free safeties, because of their speed and deep coverage, are often prone to catching interceptions.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_and_Canadian_football_position)#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Standout retired free safeties include </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Krause"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paul Krause</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Wilson"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Larry Wilson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Wood_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Willie Wood</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Reed"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ed Reed</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Collins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nick Collins</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are among the best active free safeties.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TailBack (TB)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, sometimes referred to as a tailback</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which lines up in the backfield</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive position. In the related sport of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(Canadian_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> rather than offensive position.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early offensive backfields</span></h2><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Robinson"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before the emergence of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-formation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T-formation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the 1940s, all members of the offensive backfield were legitimate threats to run or pass the ball. Most teams used four offensive backs on every play: a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, two halfbacks, and a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The quarterback began each play a quarter of the way back, the halfbacks began each play side by side and halfway back, and the fullback began each play the farthest back.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-3"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[4]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sport's first </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_threat_man"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">triple threat</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradbury_Robinson"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bradbury Robinson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_University"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">St. Louis University</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, ran, passed, received and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punted</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> out of the halfback position. It was as a halfback that Robinson threw the first legal </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forward pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to teammate </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jack_Schneider&action=edit&redlink=1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ba0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jack Schneider</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in a game at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_University"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carroll College</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on September 5, 1906.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now that most offensive formations have only one or two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the original designations do not mean as much, as the fullback is now usually a lead blocker (technically a halfback), while the halfback or tailback (called such because he stands at the "tail" of the I) lines up behind the fullback.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Responsibilities of the halfback</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The halfback position is one of the more glamorous positions on the field, and is commonly viewed as a requirement for a team's success.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)#cite_note-4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[5]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> They are responsible for carrying the ball on the majority of running plays, and may frequently be used as a receiver on short passing plays. Occasionally, they line up as additional wide receivers. When not serving either of these functions, the primary responsibility of a halfback is to aid the offensive linemen in blocking, either to protect the quarterback or another player carrying the football. Sometimes the halfback or tailback can catch the ball from the backfield as he is an eligible receiver.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running ability</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No position in American football can perform his duties successfully without the help of other players. Like the wide receiver, who generally cannot make big plays without the quarterback passing to him (with the exception of the end-around play), the halfback needs good blocking from the offensive line and fullback to successfully gain yardage. Also, a halfback will generally have more rushing attempts than a receiver will have receptions. This is mainly because most football teams have one primary halfback to receive most of the carries, while successful passes will generally be spread between a number of different receivers (wide receivers, tight ends, running backs).The running back is usually a short stature man, with a wide muscular body. This is the position that usually gets worked the most in American football.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Characteristics of a halfback</span></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Physical characteristics</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is a great diversity in those who play at the running back position. At one extreme are smaller, faster players. These fast, agile, and elusive running backs are often called "scat backs" because their low center of gravity and maneuverability allow them to dodge tacklers. Hall-of-famer </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Sanders"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barry Sanders</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Lions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detroit Lions</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> exemplifies this running style. "Scat backs" still active in the NFL include </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Johnson_(running_back)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris Johnson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Titans"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tennessee Titans</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_Sproles"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Darren Sproles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Chargers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Diego Chargers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Bush"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reggie Bush</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_Saints"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Orleans Saints</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the other extreme are "power backs": bigger, stronger players who can break through tackles using brute strength and raw power. They are usually (but not always) slower runners compared to other backs, and typically run straight ahead (or "North-and-South" in football terminology) rather than dodging to the outside edges of the playing field (i.e. running "East-and-West") like shorter, quicker, lighter backs will often do. Historically, some of the greatest halfbacks were "power" running backs, such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Riggins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Riggins</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerome_Bettis"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jerome Bettis</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. More recent examples are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Jackson"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Steven Jackson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Louis_Rams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Saint Louis Rams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Jacobs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brandon Jacobs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Giants"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York Giants</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Hillis"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peyton Hillis</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleveland Browns</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In professional American football, the halfback position has been dominated by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_people"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">black people</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> since the 1990s, with only a small number of non-black players at the position.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Receiving ability</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to skill at running the ball, some halfbacks in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are known for their prowess at catching passes. The role of the halfback as a receiver out of the backfield has expanded greatly in the NFL over the years, and a versatile halfback who provides his team with running and pass-catching abilities is highly valued. On passing plays, a halfback will often run a safe route, such as a hook, creating a safe target for a quarterback to throw to if all other receivers are covered. The increase in demand for halfbacks with good receiving abilities can be attributed to the rise in popularity of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">West Coast offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and its variants, which often requires its halfbacks to catch passes on a regular basis. A great early example of a system that combined accomplished rushing skills with receiving abiity is the offense of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Francisco 49ers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the 1980s and 1990s under </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Walsh_(American_football_coach)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bill Walsh</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Seifert"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">George Seifert</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Their teams featured two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pro Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> running backs who also had excellent receiving skills in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Craig_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roger Craig</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Watters"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ricky Watters</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Craig became the first player in NFL history to both rush and receive more than 1,000 yards in a season. Currently </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_Faulk"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marshall Faulk</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is one of the top 20 pass catchers in NFL history. A good example of a dual threat running and pass-catching halfback is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Jets"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York Jets</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LaDainian_Tomlinson"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LaDainian Tomlinson</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; in 2003, while with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Chargers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Diego Chargers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Tomlinson rushed for 1,645 yards and caught 100 passes for 725 yards, giving him 2,370 total yards from the line of scrimmage, and he became the first NFL player ever to rush for over 1,000 yards and catch 100 passes in a season. Some teams have a halfback who is more skilled at catching short passes than the starting halfback on the team, and/or is better at pass blocking or "picking up the blitz" than that of the other backs. Known as a "third down" back, he is often put in the game in third down and long situations where a pass is needed to pick up a first down. He can also be used to fool the defense by making them think he is being put into the game for a pass play, when the play is actually a run. One example of this type of running back is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Taylor"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chester Taylor</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Bears"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chicago Bears</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blocking</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Halfbacks are also required to help the offensive line in passing situations, and, in the case of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, running plays. Halfbacks will often block blitzing linebackers or safeties on passing plays when the offensive line is occupied with the defensive linemen. On running plays, the fullback will often attempt to tear a hole in the offensive line for the halfback to run through. Effective blocking backs are usually key components for a running back's success (as seen in LaDainian Tomlinson record-breaking season in 2006).</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goal line backs</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many teams also have a halfback designated as a "goal line back" or "short yardage specialist". This halfback comes into the game in short yardage situations when the offense needs only one to five yards to get a first down. They also come into the game when the offense nears the goal-line. Normally when an offense gets inside the 5 yard line they send in their goal-line formation which usually includes eight blockers, a quarterback, a halfback, and a fullback. The closer they are to the goal-line the more likely they are to use this formation. If a certain halfback is used often near the goal-line he is called the goal-line back. Short yardage and goal-line backs are usually larger power backs that are not prone to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fumbling</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Their job is to get the first down or touchdown by muscling through or pushing a large mass of players that are being blocked without dropping the ball. Players like </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kuhn"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Kuhn</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jones_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thomas Jones</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Jacobs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brandon Jacobs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> specialise in short-yardage situations, like 3rd and short.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contributing to special teams</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A halfback might be called upon to return </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoffs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on special teams. Although this is most often done by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cornerbacks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (because they are generally the fastest players on the team), some halfbacks have enough speed and talent to perform this role. The NFL's current all time leading in kickoff return yards (14,014 yards) and punt return yards (4,999) by a halfback is </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Keith_Mitchell"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brian Mitchell</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. He also gained 1,967 rushing yards, 2,336 receiving yards, and 15 fumble return yards, giving him a total of 23,330 all-purpose yards, the second most in NFL history behind </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rice"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jerry Rice</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Passing ability</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On rare occasions, a halfback is asked to throw the ball when running an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_option_play"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HB option</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This play is generally referred to as a half-back pass, regardless if the player throwing the football is a tailback or fullback. This play is risky because most halfbacks are inexperienced passers, and so it is often run only by certain halfbacks more skilled at passing than most. The HB can also throw the ball while running a Direct Snap play where the Center snaps the ball to halfback directly. This has become particular in teams that use the "wildcat" formation, most prominently the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Dolphins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Miami Dolphins</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where RB </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_Brown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronnie Brown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">would run, pass and receive out of this set.</span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tight end</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TE</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) is a position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offense_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive lineman</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be effective blockers. On the other hand, they are eligible receivers adept enough to warrant a defense's attention when running pass patterns.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because of the hybrid nature of the position, the tight end's role in any given offense depends on the tactical preferences and philosophy of the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_coach"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">head coach</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In some systems, the tight end will merely act as a sixth offensive lineman rarely going out for passes. Other systems utilize the tight end primarily as a receiver, frequently taking advantage of the tight end's size to create mismatches in the defensive secondary. Many coaches will often have one tight end who specializes in blocking in running situations and while utilizing a better pass catching tight end in obvious passing situations.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offensive formations may have between zero and three tight ends at one time. If a wide receiver is present in a formation, but outside the tight end, the wide receiver must be positioned behind the line of scrimmage (see figure to right). If two tight ends are on the same side of the line of scrimmage, the outside tight end must be behind the line of scrimmage.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Example of tight end positioning in an offensive formation.</span></h2><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Former </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Green Bay Packers</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' tight end</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubba_Franks"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bubba Franks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">History of the tight end position</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The advent of the tight end position is closely tied to the decline of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One-platoon_system"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">one-platoon system</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which happened in the 1940s and '50s. At one time, the game allowed limited substitutions- a rule derived from its evolution in other codes of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Players had to be adept at playing on both sides of the ball and most offensive linemen were also defensive linemen or linebackers, while receivers tended to double as defensive backs. At that time, the receivers were known as either </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ends</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flankers</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with the end lining up wide at the line of scrimmage and the flanker lining up slightly behind the line usually on the opposite side of the field. As the transition from one-platooning took place, it became possible for players who did not fit the mold of the traditional position to fill a niche. Players who were both good pass catchers and blockers, but were mediocre on defensive were now seen as an asset instead of a liability; many of these players were too big to be receivers, yet too small to be offensive linemen, but there were those who saw the potential of having a larger receiver lined up inside. One of those was </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Brown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Paul Brown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the legendary coach of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Browns"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleveland Browns</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Among Brown's innovations were blocking techniques and passing schemes that utilized the unique attributes of the tight end position.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The full potential of the tight end as receiver; however, was not fully realized until the '60s with the emergence of two players in particular, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ditka"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike Ditka</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mackey_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">John Mackey</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Until these two players, most teams considered the tight end position as almost a sixth offensive lineman, only rarely utilizing them as receivers.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-Mike_Ditka-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In a 12 year career, Ditka caught 427 passes for over 5800 yards and 43 touchdowns.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-Mike_Ditka-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Mackey added an entirely new dimension to the position as he had the breakaway speed of a wide receiver. In one season, 6 of his 9 touchdown passes were over 50 yards.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-John_Mackey-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roles</span></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Receiving</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some plays are planned to take advantage of a tight end's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligible_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eligibility</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (i.e. that they may lawfully catch a forward-passed football). At times, the tight end will not be covered by the defense, a situation that rarely occurs with the regular receivers. The tight end is therefore considered another option for the quarterback to pass to when the wide receivers are covered. The tight end is usually faster than the linebackers who cover him and often stronger than the cornerbacks and safeties who try to tackle him. However, tight ends are typically chosen for their speed and catching ability and therefore tend to have less size and blocking ability. Some examples of great pass catching Tight-Ends are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Ditka"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mike Ditka</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellen_Winslow"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kellen Winslow</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Gates"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Antonio Gates</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Gonzalez_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tony Gonzalez</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Witten"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jason Witten</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Clark"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dallas Clark</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcedes_Lewis"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Marcedes Lewis</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Heap"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Todd Heap</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. There could be tight ends on both sides of the line.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the extreme end of this spectrum are 'hybrid' tight ends that are drafted primarily for their pass-catching abilities. Often, these players are talented athletes with near-</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">receiver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-like speed, coupled with the imposing physical size and strength of a traditional tight end. Offensive schemes often seek to take advantage of this type of player by placing him in space, often treating him as an extra receiver. Prime examples of this type of 'hybrid' player are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Davis"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vernon Davis</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Francisco 49ers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jermichael_Finley"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jermichael Finley</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Bay_Packers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Green Bay Packers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blocking</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the National Football League (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), tight ends are usually larger and slower than a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and therefore able to block more effectively.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is the job of the tight end, along with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to open up a hole in the defense for the tailback to run through. Tight ends can also be used along with the offensive linemen to protect the quarterback during passing plays. Often, tight ends are employed in a fullback position called "</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H-Back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">H-Back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" in which he is still beside the tackle, however off the line of scrimmage. Tight ends may also pass block like other offensive linemen. Some teams employ tight ends solely to block, however this position is sometimes filled by an offensive lineman who has reported to the referee that his number is now an eligible receiving number; this makes him "Tackle Eligible".</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most modern offenses (due to the introduction of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Coast_Offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">West Coast Offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) now use tight ends more as receivers than blockers. Traditionally tight ends were just blockers eligible to catch passes; however, now tight ends are more like bigger and slower receivers who can also block more effectively than most wide receivers. Most tight ends are generally large in size with an average height of 6'3" and a weight exceeding 240 lbs. The origin of the two tight end set is unclear. The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_Lions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detroit Lions</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-3"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[4]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Redskins"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washington Redskins</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end#cite_note-4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[5]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have been credited with being the first teams to utilize two tight ends as part of their base offense.</span><br />
<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide receiver</span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backfield"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">backfield</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or the ends on the line are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligible_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eligible</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to catch a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forward pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The two players who begin play at the ends of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offensive_line"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are eligible receivers, as are all players in the backfield. Since these two receivers begin play as the offensive players nearest the sidelines, they are referred to as "wide" receivers. At the start of play, one wide receiver may begin play in the backfield, at least a yard behind the line of scrimmage, as is shown in the diagram at the right. The wide receiver on the right begins play in the backfield. Such positioning allows another player, usually the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tight end</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, to also become the eligible receiver on that side of the line. Such positioning defines the strong side of the field. This is the right side of the field in the diagram shown.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wide receiver (</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">WR</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or a flanker as referred to by Craig Kelskey in his famous football coaching quote "you got ya flankas on your left and right sides" is a position in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the pass-catching specialist. Wide receivers (also referred to as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wideouts</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or simply </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">receivers</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) are among the fastest and most agile players in the game, and they are frequent highlight-reel favorites.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The wide receiver's principal role is to catch </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">passes</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. On passing plays, the receiver attempts to avoid, outmaneuver, or simply outrun defenders (typically </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cornerbacks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and/or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safeties</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) in the area of his </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pass route</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. If the receiver becomes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">open</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or has an unobstructed path to the destination of a catch, he may then become the quarterback's target. Once a pass is thrown in his direction, the receiver's goal is to first catch the ball and then attempt to run downfield. Some receivers are perceived as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">deep threat</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> because of their flat-out speed, while others may be </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">possession receivers</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> known for not dropping passes, running crossing routes across the middle of the field, and generally, converting third down situations. A receiver's height and weight also contribute to his expected role; tall in height and light in weight are advantages at the receiver position.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide receivers, and the passing game generally, are particularly important when a team uses a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurry-up_offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hurry-up offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Receivers are able to position themselves near the sideline to run out of bounds, stopping the clock at the end of the play (NFL, and last two minutes of each half in NCAA). (A failed, "incomplete," pass attempt will also stop the clock.)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A wide receiver has two potential roles in running routes that range in status. Particularly in the case of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draw_play"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">draw plays</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, he may run a pass route with the intent of drawing off defenders. Alternatively, he may block normally for the running back. Well-rounded receivers are noted for blocking defensive backs in support of teammates in addition to their pass-catching abilities.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes wide receivers are used to run the ball, usually in some form of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">reverse</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. This can be effective because the defense usually does not expect them to be the ball carrier on running plays. Although receivers are rarely used as ball carriers, running the ball with a receiver can be extremely successful. For example, in addition to holding nearly every</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> receiving record, wide receiver </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Rice"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jerry Rice</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> also rushed the ball 87 times for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 20 NFL seasons.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In even rarer cases, receivers may pass the ball as part of a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick_play"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">trick play</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Despite the infrequency of these plays, some receivers have proven to be capable passers, particularly those with prior experience as a quarterback. A remarkable example where wide receiver and quarterback even swapped roles was </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Chiefs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kansas City Chiefs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">' WR </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Bradley"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark Bradley</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'s 37 yard </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchdown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> pass to QB </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Thigpen"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tyler Thigpen</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> against the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa_Bay_Buccaneers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on 2 November 2008.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide receivers also serve on special teams as return men on kickoffs and punts, or as part of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hands team</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> during </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onside_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">onside kicks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-3"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[4]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finally, on errant passes, receivers must frequently play a defensive role by attempting to prevent an interception. If a pass is intercepted, receivers must use their speed to chase down and tackle the ball carrier to prevent him from returning the ball for a long gain or a touchdown.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> wide receivers can use the numbers 10-19 and 80-89.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An example of a wide receiver's positioning in an offensive formation: (L) in split end position, (R) in flanker position.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Types</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the general fan base and most commentators use the generic term </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">wide receiver</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for all such players, specific names exist for most receiver positions:</span><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Split end</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (X or SE): A receiver on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, necessary to meet the rule requiring seven such players at</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">snap</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Where applicable, this receiver is on the opposite side of the tight end. The split end is farthest from center on his side of the field.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[5]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flanker</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Z or FL): A receiver lining up behind the line of scrimmage. Frequently the team's featured receiver, the flanker uses the initial buffer between himself and a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defender</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to avoid </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jamming</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, legal contact within five yards of the line of scrimmage. The flanker is generally on the same side of the formation as a tight end. As with the split end, this receiver is the farthest player from the center on his side of the field. The flanker is probably lined up just like a split end except that he is just behind the line of scrimmage, being in the backfield and not on the line.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-flsl-5"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[6]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slot receiver</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (Y or SL): A less-formal name given to receivers in addition to split ends and flankers (for example tight-ends who line up wide). These receivers line up between the split end/flanker and the linemen. If aligned with a flanker, the slot receiver is usually on the line of scrimmage, and if with a split end, off the line of scrimmage. As with the flanker position, a featured receiver often takes a slot position with a split end to avoid jamming.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver#cite_note-flsl-5"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[6]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slot back</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: A receiver lining up in the offensive back field. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arena football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> allow them to take a running start at the line. They are usually larger players as they need to make catches over the middle. In American football slot backs are typically used in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flexbone_formation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flexbone</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or other </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_option"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">triple option</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> offenses while Canadian football uses them in almost all formations.</span></li>
</ul><br />
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<h1 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft">2011 NFL Draft</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 40pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4Xu9eK4m6I/TjA78tRhEkI/AAAAAAAAEDk/KcVxHIq5nFA/s1600/180px-2011_NFL_Draft.svg.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4Xu9eK4m6I/TjA78tRhEkI/AAAAAAAAEDk/KcVxHIq5nFA/s1600/180px-2011_NFL_Draft.svg.svg.png" /></a></div><h1 dir="ltr"><br />
</h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><div dir="ltr"><table style="border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;"><colgroup><col width="309"></col><col width="202"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="background-color: #efefef; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #efefef; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">General information</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date(s)</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">April 28–30, 2011</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">8:00 pm </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Time_Zone"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EDT</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> April 28 (rd. 1)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6:00 pm EDT April 29 (rds. 2 & 3)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noon EDT April 30 (rds. 4–7)</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Location</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_City_Music_Hall"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Radio City Music Hall</span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City,_New_York"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York City, New York</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Network(s) (US)</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ESPN</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Network"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Network</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="background-color: #efefef; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #efefef; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Picks</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_National_Football_League_draft_picks"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First selection</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Newton"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cam Newton</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Irrelevant"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. Irrelevant</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheta_Ozougwu"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cheta Ozougwu</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most selections</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Washington_Redskins_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Washington</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (12)</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fewest selections</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Chicago_Bears_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chicago</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (5)</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Detroit_Lions_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Detroit</span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Indianapolis_Colts_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indianapolis</span></a></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_Jacksonville_Jaguars_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jacksonville</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overall selections</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 9pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">254</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2011 NFL Draft</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was the 76th installment of the annual </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Draft</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where the franchises of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> select newly eligible football players. Like the 2010 draft, the 2011 draft was held at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_City_Music_Hall"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Radio City Music Hall</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> over three days: this year, the first round took place on Thursday, April 28, 2011; the second and third rounds took place on Friday, April 29; with the final four rounds on Saturday, April 30, 2011.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Carolina_Panthers_season"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Carolina Panthers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who had the worst record for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_season#Regular_season_standings"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2010 NFL season</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> at 2–14, had the right to the first selection in each round of the draft. With the first pick the Panthers selected </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Auburn_Tigers_football_team"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Auburn University</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Newton"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cam Newton</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who was the 2010 </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Heisman_Trophy_winners"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heisman Trophy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">winner.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-2010Heisman-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A second Heisman Trophy winner, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ingram,_Jr."><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mark Ingram</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football_team"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alabama</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was selected by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_New_Orleans_Saints_season"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Orleans</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> late in the first round. This was the eleventh draft which included multiple Heisman winners, and the first time ever that it has occurred in consecutive drafts (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Bradford"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sam Bradford</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Tebow"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tim Tebow</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2010</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Five of the first six picks played college football in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southeastern_Conference"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Southeastern Conference</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (SEC).</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-SEC-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-SEC-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Teams were allowed ten minutes to make each selection in the first round, seven minutes per selection in the second round and five minutes in each of the subsequent rounds.</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-3"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[4]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Impact of labor situation</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite an ongoing </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_season#Labor_dispute"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">labor dispute</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> between league owners and players over a new</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collective_bargaining_agreement"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">collective bargaining agreement</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (CBA), a provision in the expired CBA ensured that this draft would still take place, despite the fact that the owners had imposed a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_season#Lockout"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lockout</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to prevent the start of the league year.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-WAPO_Maske-4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[5]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Fans in attendance at the draft expressed their displeasure with the lockout by lustily booing NFL commissioner</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Goodell"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roger Goodell</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> during the event and chanting "We want football." </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-JimCorbettRecap-5"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[6]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Due to the labor situation and the lockout, franchises were not able to trade players for draft selections (trades involving </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> selections are permitted), and will be unable to sign or even contact drafted or undrafted players until the lockout is lifted. Because of the lockout, the Panthers could not sign or even negotiate with their first draft pick before the draft began, as other teams have done in years past.[</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">citation needed</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">] The restriction on trading players extended to players selected in this draft—teams were unable to swap</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">any</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> player once selected, e.g. as happened in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2004</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_San_Diego_Chargers_season"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Diego Chargers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_New_York_Giants_season"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York Giants</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> completed a draft day trade involving </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Manning"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eli Manning</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Rivers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Philip Rivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who had been selected first and fourth respectively.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-6"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[7]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In addition, with no agreement in place between owners and players mandating future drafts, teams were advised by the league that any trades involving </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">future</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> draft picks would be made at the teams' "own risk".</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-Florio-7"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[8]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This warning did not dissuade several teams from making trades involving future selections.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_Players_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League Players Association</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (NFLPA) considered plans to dissuade potential prospects from attending the draft,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-8"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[9]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> but a record 25 potential draftees attended the event, including Von Miller, who is a named plaintiff in the players' antitrust lawsuit against the league.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-9"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[10]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-VonMillerHug-10"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[11]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Early entrants</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2011_NFL_Draft_early_entrants"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">List of 2011 NFL Draft early entrants</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A record 56 underclassmen announced their intention to forgo their remaining </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCAA</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> eligibility and declare themselves eligible to be selected in the draft.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-February_9.2C_2011-11"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[12]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> To be </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Draft#Eligibility"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eligible</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for the draft, a player must be out of high school for at least three years.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The selection of Newton, a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junior_(education)#College"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">junior</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, marked the third straight draft where the first overall selection was an underclassman. Since non-seniors were first eligible to be drafted in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1990_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1990</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, fourteen </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_first_overall_National_Football_League_draft_picks"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">first overall picks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ( including six of the last seven) have been players who have entered the draft early.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-Gosselin1stRoundRecap-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Eight of the first ten players chosen in this draft were </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_2011_NFL_Draft_early_entrants"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">non-seniors</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which broke the record of six set in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1997</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and matched in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2006</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Locker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jake Locker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Miller"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Von Miller</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> were the only two seniors among the first ten draftees.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft#cite_note-Gosselin1stRoundRecap-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Determination of draft order</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For more details on this topic, see </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_Draft#Rules_for_determining_draft_order"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League Draft#Rules for determining draft order</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The draft order is based generally on each team's regular season record, with the exception of the teams making the playoffs in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_NFL_season"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2010</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who are placed at the end of the draft order in the order in which they were eliminated.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Text is available under the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License</span></a><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; additional terms may apply. See </span><a href="http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Terms_of_use"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Terms of use</span></a><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for details.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the </span><a href="http://www.wikimediafoundation.org/"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.</span></a><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a non-profit organization.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011_NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div><br />
</div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-79763189211017874772011-07-27T08:44:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:54:28.381-07:00American Football<div style="background-color: transparent;"><h1 dir="ltr" id="internal-source-marker_0.12243514624424279"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 37pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 37pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></h1><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For other uses, see </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_(disambiguation)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football </span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="27px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WfYVjbQYZPdKmvGjkg5lP40ziwrOp2R27iIB2zg6zkvfZRz3Yfk83ubMP0eWZsFyVMg5Duun6YAzWcMfElTatgnnWhIJscUAbQX5YlH1Dj4d1zdZsVA" width="27px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="199px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pS6J5TimRJ7PaI5J5D32xCPfz_AIW-UTTbAbldZiv_m9xz-8K2xAtxQGtv10OQHZEnILyESK-E9iNlCe8uyiQFj0LfTsaDbewmM7tA7KnfK_SVuwwFk" width="300px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr"><table style="border-bottom-style: none; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;"><colgroup><col width="317"></col><col width="220"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The U.S. Naval Academy Midshipmen (left) face off against the Colorado State Rams.</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nickname(s)</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_football"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Tackle football</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">First played</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">November 6, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_college_football_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1869</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rutgers_University"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rutgers</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> vs. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princeton_University"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Princeton</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Characteristics</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Contact</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full-contact"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Full contact</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Team members</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">11 at a time</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Categorization</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outdoor</span></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Equipment</span></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_(ball)"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Football</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td></tr>
<tr style="height: 0px;"><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Games"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olympic</span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a></div></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-left-style: dotted; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-right-style: dotted; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-top-style: dotted; border-top-width: 1px; padding-bottom: 7px; padding-left: 7px; padding-right: 7px; padding-top: 7px; vertical-align: top;"><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 8pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_sport"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sport</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_ball"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ball</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">into the opposing team's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_zone"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">end zone</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Known in the United States as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">football</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, it may also be referred to informally as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-K._O.27Brien-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[2]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ball can be advanced by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with it or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass#American_and_Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">throwing</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> it to a teammate. Points can be scored by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">carrying the ball over the opponent's goal line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, catching a pass thrown over that goal line,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placekicker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kicking</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the ball through the opponent's goal posts or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tackling an opposing ball carrier</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in his own end zone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the United States, the major forms are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">high school football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">college football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">professional football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The major league for professional football is the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (NFL).</span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">History</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football">History of American footbal</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">l</span></a><img height="232px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pgX6LJRhIK-9nIExXiOR3wkSgKBdgmkrMXaX6DnQFR1rFmMSWM0GfQCog5pPL5UMxx-xUqZz6CMb3nb6LA5sArBXru90ls7E1v1W1QrWivpY1-78E8U" width="293px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An American football team at the turn of the 20th century. Note the continued use of a rugby-type ball (front row, right).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The history of American football can be traced to early versions of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rugby football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">association football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Both games have their origins in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">varieties of football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> played in the United Kingdom in the mid-19th century, in which a ball is kicked at a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goal_(sport)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">goal</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and/or run over a line. Many games known as "football" were being played at colleges and universities in the United States in the first half of the 19th century.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-histfoot-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Completerugby-3">[4]</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Completerugby-3"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><img height="379px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n4VIKviVA9B6UAmHEEKNV-4nvFmuFM2ufjTOXvT8nAGyO8-wKnZx_ImFOQYdWjLKDoRyEhxGD8GF4w2O7Q48XTZEOwiI6wTvtgyCpnoUVXONlYJEa7g" width="227px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Camp">Walter Camp</a></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
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</div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Camp"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football resulted from several major divergences from </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rugby football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, most notably the rule changes instituted by</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Camp"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walter Camp</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, considered the "Father of American Football". Among these important changes were the introduction of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">down-and-distance</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> rules. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, game play developments by college coaches such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Cochems"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eddie Cochems</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Alonzo_Stagg"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Amos Alonzo Stagg</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knute_Rockne"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knute Rockne</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Scobey_Warner"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glenn "Pop" Warner</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> helped take advantage of the newly introduced </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forward pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The popularity of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">collegiate football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> grew as it became the dominant version of the sport for the first half of the twentieth century. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowl_game"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bowl games</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a college football tradition, attracted a national audience for collegiate teams. Bolstered by fierce </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_college_football_rivalry_games"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rivalries</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, college football still holds widespread appeal in the US.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-histfoot-2"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[3]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-PFRA2-4"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[5]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-NFL1869-5"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[6]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The origin of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">professional football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> can be traced back to 1892, with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Heffelfinger"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">William "Pudge" Heffelfinger's</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> $500 contract to play in a game for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegheny_Athletic_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allegheny Athletic Association</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">against the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_Athletic_Club_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pittsburgh Athletic Club</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The first Professional "league" was the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ohio League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, formed in 1903, and the first Professional Football championship game was between the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_(NFL)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Buffalo Prospects</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_Bulldogs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canton Bulldogs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in 1919. In 1920, the American Professional Football Association was formed. The first game was played in</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayton,_Ohio"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dayton, Ohio</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on October 3, 1920 with the host </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dayton_Triangles"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Triangles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> defeating the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus_(NFL)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Columbus Panhandles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 14–0. The league changed its name to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (NFL) two years later, and eventually became the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_professional_sports_leagues_of_the_United_States_and_Canada"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">major league</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of American football. Initially a sport of Midwestern industrial towns in the United States, professional football eventually became a national phenomenon. Football's increasing popularity is usually traced to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Championship_Game,_1958"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1958 NFL Championship Game</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, a contest that has been dubbed the "Greatest Game Ever Played". A rival league to the NFL, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (AFL), began play in 1960; the pressure it put on the senior league led to a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFL%E2%80%93NFL_merger"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">merger</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> between the two leagues and the creation of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Super Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which has become the most watched television event in the United States on an annual basis.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-popular-6"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[7]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rules</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_rules"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football rules</span></a><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Field and players</span></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><img height="161px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5AF2tX25z6UEQ_yekgYl4rm6FczIFdsZ4oKYllLEhrbCBMVgpSPD4uw-oPKxmGejoUBXVzI0kwnC2sIrb5Sy7j6Q3TMLRtIUSDNxtQJLtZO4NXe7UtY" width="333px;" /></h3><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The numbers on the field indicate the number of</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yard"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">yards</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to the nearest end zone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football is played on a field 360 by 160 feet (120.0 by 53.3 yards; 109.7 by 48.8 meters).</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Dimensions-7"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[8]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The longer boundary lines are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sidelines</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, while the shorter boundary lines are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">end lines</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. Near each end of the field is a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">goal line</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; they are 100 yards (91.4 m) apart. A scoring area called an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_zone"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">end zone</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> extends 10 yards (9.1 m) beyond each goal line to each end line. The end zone includes the goal line but not the end line.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Dimensions-7"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[8]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> While the playing field is effectively flat, it is common for a field to be built with a slight crown—with the middle of the field higher than the sides—to allow water to drain from the field.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Yard lines</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> cross the field every 5 yards (4.6 m), and are numbered every 10 yards from each goal line to the 50-yard line, or midfield (similar to a typical </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rugby league</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> field). Two rows of short lines, known as inbounds lines or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hash marks</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, run at 1-yard (91.4 cm) intervals perpendicular to the sidelines near the middle of the field. All plays start with the ball on or between the hash marks. Because of the arrangement of the lines, the field is occasionally referred to as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in a reference to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_(cooking)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cooking grill</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with a similar pattern of lines.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the back of each end zone are two </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goalposts"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">goalposts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (also called </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">uprights</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) connected by a crossbar 10 feet (3.05 m) from the ground. For high skill levels, the posts are 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart. For lower skill levels, these are widened to 23 feet 4 inches (7.11 m).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each team has 11 players on the field at a time. Usually there are many more players off the field (an NFL team has a limit of 53 players on their roster, all of which can be dressed for a game). However, teams may substitute for any or all of their players during the breaks between plays. As a result, players have very specialized roles and are divided into three separate units: the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. It is rare for all team members to participate in a given game, as some roles have little utility beyond that of an injury substitute.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start of halves</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Similarly to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">association football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the game begins with a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_flipping"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">coin toss</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to determine which team will kick off to begin the game and which goal each team will defend.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Toss-8"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[9]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Unlike association football though, the options are presented again to start the second half; the choices for the first half do not automatically determine the start of the second half. The referee conducts the coin toss with the captains (or sometimes coaches) of the opposing teams. The team that wins the coin toss has three options:</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Toss-8"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[9]</span></a><br />
<ol><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They may choose whether to kick or receive the opening kickoff.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They may choose which goal to defend.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They may choose to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defer</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the first choice to the other team and have first choice to start the second half.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-9"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[10]</span></a></li>
</ol><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whatever the first team chooses, the second team has the option on the other choice (for example, if the first team elects to receive at the start of the game, the second team can decide which goal to defend).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the start of the second half, the options to kick, receive, or choose a goal to defend are presented to the captains again. The team which did not choose first to start the first half (or which deferred its privilege to choose first) now gets first choice of options.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Toss-8"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[9]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-NCAArules-10"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[11]</span></a><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Game duration</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A standard football game consists of four 15-minute quarters (12-minute quarters in high-school football and often shorter at lower levels),</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-11"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[12]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with a 12-minute </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-time"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">half-time</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> intermission after the second quarter.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Beginner-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> At all levels, a down (play) that begins before time expires is allowed to continue until its completion, even after the clock reaches zero. The clock is also stopped after certain plays, therefore, a game can last considerably longer (often more than three hours in real time), and if a game is broadcast on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">television</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television_timeout"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">TV timeouts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are taken at certain intervals of the game to broadcast </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">commercials</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> outside of game action. If an NFL game is tied after four quarters, the teams play an additional period lasting up to 15 minutes. In a regular season NFL overtime game, the first team that scores wins, even if the other team does not get a possession; this is referred to as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudden_death_(sport)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">sudden death</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. However, in a post-season NFL game during the playoffs, if the first team with possession scores only a field goal, the other team is allowed the opportunity to match or better this score. This rule only affects playoff games in overtime in which the first team with possession scores a field goal: if the first team with possession scores a touchdown, the sudden death rules take effect. In a regular-season NFL game, if neither team scores in overtime, the game is a tie. In an NFL playoff game, additional overtime periods are played, as needed, to determine a winner. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overtime_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">College overtime rules</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are more complicated.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="197px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kv28ribQ3YWzEPIvKfwQ7sjxShzSsF7UlJ7d2Ft_Q9bQUQllfnnNcRydqy_gvrG8e-iJkyPDcYBeAUrUO3l6PD1wu-PMMu82ave2Q0aC6vf02mm9MLA" width="293px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on the 48-yard line. The offense is on the left.</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="196px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jqQq0rIVW0zuba3-VEcmyQyRqPABFLSymnUrlKW5vDtEniABbkL3j4n3Y9ZVPdcvr9hkjSF2uIUBlizAAawv28Uc5B2zl4Ipdm-8TQ51sLi5Kw01jS4" width="293px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> searching for opportunity to throw a pass.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="259px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nCHLPjgOK54PqntNZ-7kIMeQWEcxqL82VWm-2QXORnqz_Uy-eMzcyvBUpcnXviHbIff0iUkG_xrC4Ivjgh6-r7Aq2O2kz3fEEUvSIn02E7gG4YPGkKs" width="293px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">running back</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> being tackled when he tries to run with the ball.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="195px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/x6qSXbYFguLK9rZlLLODhGoZVJXaHZ_z3z7i77hTYLdRhc-wLsT7UYDqrjr2L3k2NwPdHAow6ns9E-wRYEFgRfTd86vEqcFsXlHUUaP-L-VgnY1zjd4" width="293px;" /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A quarterback preparing to throw a pass.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="196px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kwFaj7KcWtT0vSBL9w-HSlyv9RTU4nXOm13EpQ9Q130a15xRT_47e6vqE9rVcSWMpCnfDQKYi7vmyil8n6nDVkwspJHtOggXFg290lsbZlxYzTy5KpQ" width="293px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forward pass in progress, during practice.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><img height="220px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8X7FMgtM4a3Q3zrmwSwRtK6CNnNyDDG_AMou0uF8WHV5eixb38FT2ADBBbpYQSRl_4nKl9SE-GRbDwGVpyIhjkmj0BSczvbKdLAaCGlHH6pyR_-qutU" width="293px;" /><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A kicker attempts an extra point.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advancing the ball</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Advancing the ball in American football resembles the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six-tackle rule</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and the</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">play-the-ball</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rugby league</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The team that takes possession of the ball (the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#Offense"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) has four attempts, called </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Down_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">downs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, in which to advance the ball at least 10 yards (9.1 m) toward their opponent's (the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defense</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'s) end zone. When the offense succeeds in gaining at least 10 yards, it gets a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">first down</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, meaning the team starts a new set of four downs to gain yet another 10 yards or to score. If the offense fails to gain a first down (10 yards) after four downs, the other team gets possession of the ball at the point where the fourth down ended, beginning with their first down to advance the ball in the opposite direction.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Except at the beginning of halves and after scores, the ball is always put into play by a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snap_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">snap</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Offensive players line up facing defensive players at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">line of scrimmage</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (the position on the field where the play begins). One offensive player, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Center_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">center</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, then passes (or "snaps") the ball backwards between his legs to a teammate behind him, usually the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Players can then advance the ball in two ways:</span><br />
<ol><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By running with the ball, also known as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rushing</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By throwing the ball to a teammate, known as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">pass</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or as </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">passing</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the football. If the pass is thrown down-field, it is known as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forward pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The forward pass is a key factor distinguishing American and Canadian football from other football sports. The offense can throw the ball forward only once during a down and only from behind the line of scrimmage. However, the ball can be handed-off to another player or thrown, pitched, or tossed sideways or backwards (a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lateral_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lateral pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) at any time.</span></li>
</ol><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A down ends, and the ball becomes dead, after any of the following:</span><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The player with the ball is forced to the ground (a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_for_loss"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tackle</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or has his forward progress halted by members of the other team (as determined by an</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">official</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A forward pass flies beyond the dimensions of the field (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_bounds"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">out of bounds</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) or touches the ground before it is caught. This is known as an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incomplete_pass"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">incomplete pass</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The ball is returned to the most recent line of scrimmage for the next down.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The ball or the player with the ball goes out of bounds.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A team scores.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Officials blow a whistle to notify players that the down is over.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before each down, each team chooses a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_from_scrimmage"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">play</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or coordinated movements and actions, that the players should follow on a down. Sometimes, downs themselves are referred to as "plays."</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Change of possession</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The offense maintains possession of the ball unless one of the following things occurs:</span><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The team fails to get a first down— i.e., in four downs they fail to move the ball past a line 10 yards ahead of where they got their last first down. The defensive team takes over the ball at the spot where the 4th-down play ends. A change of possession in this manner is commonly called a</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnover_on_downs"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">turnover on downs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The offense scores a touchdown or field goal. The team that scored then kicks the ball to the other team in a special play called a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoff</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The offense punts the ball to the defense. A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punt_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punt</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a kick in which a player drops the ball and kicks it before it hits the ground. Punts are nearly always made on fourth down, when the offensive team does not want to risk giving up the ball to the other team at its current spot on the field (through a failed attempt to make a first down) and feels it is too far from the other team's goal post to attempt a field goal.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A defensive player catches a forward pass. This is called an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interception"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">interception</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and the player who makes the interception can run with the ball until he is tackled, forced out of bounds, or scores.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An offensive player drops the ball (a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumble"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fumble</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and a defensive player picks it up. As with interceptions, a player recovering a fumble can run with the ball until tackled, forced out of bounds, or scoring. Passes that are thrown either backwards or parallel with the line of scrimmage (lateral passes) that are not caught do not cause the down to end as incomplete forward passes do; instead the ball is still live as if it had been fumbled. Lost fumbles and interceptions are together known as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turnover_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">turnovers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The offensive team misses a field goal attempt. The defensive team gets the ball at the spot where the previous play began (or, in the NFL, at the spot of the kick). If the unsuccessful kick was attempted from within 20 yards (18.3 m) of the end zone, the other team gets the ball at its own 20 yard line (that is, 20 yards from the end zone). If a field goal is missed or blocked and the ball remains in the field of play, a defensive player may pick up the ball and attempt to advance it.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">While in his own end zone, an offensive ball carrier is tackled, forced out of bounds, loses the ball out of bounds, or the offense commits certain fouls in the end zone. This fairly rare occurrence is called a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An offensive ball carrier fumbles the ball forward into the opposing end zone, and then the ball goes out of bounds. This extremely rare occurrence leads to a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, with the ball going over to the opposing team at their 20 yard line (Note that touchbacks during non-offensive special teams plays, such as punts and kickoffs, are quite common).</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scoring</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_rules#Scoring"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American_football_rules#Scoring</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A team scores points by the following plays:</span><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchdown"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchdown</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (TD) is worth 6 points.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Beginner-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> It is scored when a player runs the ball into or catches a pass in his opponent's end zone.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Beginner-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A touchdown is analogous to a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Try"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">try</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in rugby. Unlike rugby, a player does not have to touch the ball to the ground to score; a touchdown is scored any time a player has possession of the ball while any part of the ball is beyond the vertical plane created by the leading edge of the opponent's goal line stripe (the stripe itself is a part of the end zone).</span></li>
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a touchdown, the scoring team attempts a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Try_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">try</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (which is also analogous to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_(rugby)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">conversion in rugby</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). The ball is placed at the other team's 3-yard (2.7 m) line (the 2-yard (1.8 m) line in the NFL). The team can attempt to kick it through the goalposts (over the crossbar and between the uprights) in the manner of a field goal for 1 point (an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convert"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">extra point</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">point-after touchdown (PAT)</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-13"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[14]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), or run or pass it into the end zone in the manner of a touchdown for 2 points (a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-point_conversion"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">two-point conversion</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). In college football, if the defense intercepts or recovers a fumble during a one or two point conversion attempt and returns it to the opposing end zone, the defensive team is awarded the two points.</span></li>
</ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_goal_(football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">field goal</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (FG) is worth 3 points, and it is scored by kicking the ball through the goalposts defended by the opposition.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Beginner-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Field goals may be place kicked (kicked when the ball is held vertically against the ground by a teammate) or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">drop kicked</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (extremely uncommon in the modern game due to the better accuracy of place kicks, with only two successful drop kicks in sixty-plus years in the NFL). A field goal is usually attempted on fourth down instead of a punt when the ball is close enough to the opponent's goalposts, or, when there is little or no time left to otherwise score.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, worth 2 points, is scored by the opposing team when the team in possession at the end of a down is responsible for the ball becoming dead behind its own goal line. For instance, a safety is scored by the defense if an offensive player is tackled, goes out of bounds, or fumbles the ball out of bounds in his own end zone.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Beginner-12"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[13]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Safeties are relatively rare. Note that, though even more rare, the team initially on offense during a down can score a safety if a player of the original defense gains possession of the ball in front of his own goal line and then carries the ball or fumbles it into his own end zone where it becomes dead. However, if the ball becomes dead behind the goal line of the team in possession and its opponent is responsible for the ball being there (for instance, if the defense intercepts a forward pass in its own end zone and the ball becomes dead before the ball is advanced out of the end zone) it is a touchback: no points are scored and the team last in possession keeps possession with a first down at its own 20 yard line. In amateur football, in the extremely rare instance that a safety is scored on a try, it is worth only 1 point.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kickoffs and free kicks</span></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><img height="220px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VwFx3Uc63WokNKLTXruvLW_QDOjFN82EEQTyjtbGmQYEJOiguXmSDFovMQjKCD8cDEm0VlDBK0yBpQ85aK0gXVi0qXhAAG8VqpErFqT4jA1R5ypE6rY" width="293px;" /></h3><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_State_Seminoles_football"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Florida State Seminoles</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (in red, at top) line up to kick off to the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Tech_Hokies_football"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Virginia Tech Hokies</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Each half begins with a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kickoff_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">kickoff</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Teams also kick off after scoring touchdowns and field goals. The ball is kicked using a kicking tee from the team's own 30-yard (27 m) line in the NFL and college football (as of the 2007 season). The other team's kick returner tries to catch the ball and advance it as far as possible. Where he is stopped is the point where the offense will begin its</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">drive</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or series of offensive plays. If the kick returner catches the ball in his own end zone, he can either run with the ball, or elect for a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by kneeling in the end zone, in which case the receiving team then starts its offensive drive from its own 20 yard line. A touchback also occurs when the kick goes out-of-bounds in the end zone. (Punts and turnovers in the end zone can also result in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touchback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touchback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">). A kickoff that goes out-of-bounds anywhere other than the end zone before being touched by the receiving team is a foul, and the ball will be placed within the hash marks of the yard line where it went out of bounds, or 30 yards (27 m) from the kickoff spot, depending on which is more advantageous to the receiving team.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-kickoff-14"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[15]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Unlike with punts, once a kickoff goes 10 yards and the ball has hit the ground, it can be recovered by the kicking team.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-kickoff-14"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[15]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A team, especially one who is losing, can try to take advantage of this by attempting an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onside_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">onside kick</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After safeties, the team that gave up the points must </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_kick"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">free kick</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the ball to the other team from its own 20 yard line.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-15"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[16]</span></a><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Penalties</span></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><img height="165px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ktIYpzlCqHc9PCDMot9DfJ5COZ-isdmBms7lNMqF4RxhJu5XWgqlLza0rn_Mi2KEN7XAgRVWsqdeASMXgc7HuA9y6h79Y1svSR76NeYWzAmWWkPgWJk" width="220px;" /></h3><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A penalty flag on the field during a game on November 16, 2008 between the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_San_Francisco_49ers_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Francisco 49ers</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_St._Louis_Rams_season"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">St. Louis Rams</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_(American_football)">Penalty (American football)</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fouls (a type of rule violation) are punished with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">penalties</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> against the offending team. Most penalties result in moving the football towards the offending team's end zone. If the penalty would move the ball more than half the distance towards the offender's end zone, the penalty becomes half the distance to the goal instead of its normal value.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most penalties result in replaying the down. Some defensive penalties give the offense an automatic first down.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Penalty-16"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[17]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Conversely, some offensive penalties result in loss of a down (loss of the right to repeat the down).</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Penalty-16"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[17]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> If a penalty gives the offensive team enough yardage to gain a first down, they get a first down, as usual. The only penalty that results in points is if a team on offense commits a certain fouls, such as holding, in its own end zone, which results in a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_score)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safety</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If a foul occurs during a down (after the play has begun), the down is allowed to continue and an official throws a yellow </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penalty_flag"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">penalty flag</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> near the spot of the foul. When the down ends, the team that did not commit the foul has the option of accepting the penalty, or declining the penalty and accepting the result of the down.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Variations</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See also: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_football#Gridiron_football_codes"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">List of gridiron football codes</span></a><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Limited contact</span></li>
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_football_(American)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touch football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A play ends when a defender touches the ball carrier (sometimes with two hands).</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">flag football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. A play ends when a defender removes a designated token ("flag") worn by the ball carrier.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wrap. A play ends when a defender wraps his arms round the ball carrier.</span></li>
</ul></ul><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fewer players</span></li>
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nine-man_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nine-man football</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-man_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">eight-man football</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: circle; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six-man_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">six-man football</span></a></li>
</ul></ul><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Smaller field</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arena_Football_League_(1987%E2%80%932008)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arena Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a league that plays eight-man football, but also plays indoors and on a much smaller playing surface with rule changes to encourage a much more offensive game.</span></li>
</ul><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Catch and Run</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In this game, the children split into two teams and line up at opposite sides of the playing field. One side throws the ball to the other side. If the opposing team catches the ball, that player tries to run to the throwing teams touchdown without being tagged/tackled. If no one catches the ball or if the player is tagged/tackled, then that team has to throw the ball to the opposing team. This repeats until time runs out or the players decide to quit.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Players</span></h2><h2 dir="ltr"><img height="222px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qE6K43DlwCg1Bh0Gl--aagRi2yXJMhIunQTR6dynhLoDZpayzLcNUhBD6f_a0bEnL6TtAhL3bS65fP6qfkOUATA4gsGqfQ75nTz7nNJd5gxlh-F-P-A" width="400px;" /></h2><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This diagram shows typical offensive and defensive formations. Because teams can change any or all of the players between plays, the number of players at certain positions may differ on a given play. Here the offense is in the Normal I-Formation while the defense is in a 4–3 Normal.</span></div><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football positions</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See also: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formation_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Formation (American football)</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most football players have highly specialized roles. At the college and NFL levels, most play only offense or only defense.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Offense</span></h3><ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">offensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (OL) consists of five players whose job is to protect the passer and clear the way for runners by blocking members of the defense. The lineman in the middle is the center. Outside the center are the guards, and outside them are the tackles. Except for the center, who snaps the ball to one of the backs, offensive linemen generally do not handle the ball.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">quarterback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (QB) receives the snap from the center on most plays. He then hands or tosses it to a running back, throws it to a receiver or runs with it himself. The quarterback is the leader of the offense and calls the plays that are signaled to him from the sidelines.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Running backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (RB) line up behind or beside the QB and specialize in running with the ball. They also block, catch passes and, on rare occasions, pass the ball to others or even receive the snap. If a team has two running backs in the game, usually one will be a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">halfback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (HB) (or </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tailback</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (TB)), who is more likely to run with the ball, and the other will usually be a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullback_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">fullback</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (FB), who is more likely to block.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wide_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wide receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (WR) line up near the sidelines. They specialize in catching passes, though they also block for running plays or downfield after another receiver makes a catch.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tight_end"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tight ends</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (TE) line up next to the offensive line. They can either play like wide receivers (catch passes) or like offensive linemen (protect the QB or create spaces for runners). Sometimes an offensive lineman takes the tight end position and is referred to as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tackle eligible</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-17"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[18]</span></a></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At least seven players must line up on the line of scrimmage on every offensive play. The other players may line up anywhere behind the line. The exact number of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends may differ on any given play. For example, if the team needs only one yard, it may use three tight ends, two running backs and no wide receivers. On the other hand, if it needs 20 yards, it may replace all of its running backs and tight ends with wide receivers.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Defense</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In contrast to members of the offense, the rules of professional football (</span><a href="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3366bb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Rulebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and American college football (</span><a href="http://www.ncaa.org/library/rules/2007/2007_football_rules.pdf"><span style="background-color: white; color: #3366bb; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCAA Rulebook</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dead link</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">]) do not specify starting position, movement, or coverage zones for members of the defensive team, except that they must be in the defensive zone at the start of play. The positions, movements and responsibilities of all defensive players are assigned by the team by selection of certain coverages, or patterns of placement and assignment of responsibilities. The positional roles are customary. These roles have varied over the history of American football. The following are customary defensive positions used in many coverages in modern American football.</span><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive line</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> consists of three to six players who line up immediately across from the offensive line. They try to occupy the offensive linemen in order to free up the linebackers, disrupt the backfield (behind the offensive line) of the offense, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tackle_for_loss"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">tackle</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the running back if he has the ball before he can gain yardage or the quarterback before he can throw or pass the ball. They are the first line of defense.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Behind the defensive line are the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">linebackers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They line up between the defensive line and defensive backs and may either rush the quarterback or cover potential receivers.</span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The last line of defense is known as the secondary, comprising at least three players who line up as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_back"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">defensive backs</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who are either </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerback"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cornerbacks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_(American_football_position)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">safeties</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They cover the receivers and try to stop pass completions. They occasionally rush the quarterback.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Special teams</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The units of players who handle kicking plays are known as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_teams"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">special teams</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Three important special-teams players are the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punter_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">punter</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who handles punts, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Placekicker"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">placekicker</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or kicker, who kicks off and attempts field goals and extra points, and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_snapper"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">long snapper</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who snaps the ball for extra points, field goals, and punts. Also included on special teams are the returners. These players return punts or kickoffs and try to get in good field position. These players can also score touchdowns.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uniform numbering</span></h3><h3 dir="ltr"><img height="330px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sKsywbbed5YWejfgeqSlONpOwiERvjB1MQ_bGeQ5DYMA501hbfRzrkRglK24MCjw9m7uN601AK1CGs6AU-drAHeiYsBecoTIdjxoACErmjxBwzEnOD0" width="220px;" /></h3><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Quarterback </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Armed_Forces_Bowl"><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shaun Carney</span></a><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has uniform number 5.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the NFL, ranges of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_number_(American_football)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">uniform numbers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are (usually) reserved for certain positions:</span><br />
<ul><li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1–19: Quarterbacks, punters and placekickers</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-18"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[19]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">20–49: Running backs and defensive backs</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-19"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[20]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50–79: Offensive and defensive linemen</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-20"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[21]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">10–19, 80–89: Wide receivers</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-21"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[22]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">40–49, 80–89: Tight ends</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-22"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[23]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">50–59, 90–99: Linebackers and defensive linemen (90–99)</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-23"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[24]</span></a></li>
<li style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Players who switch positions in their career can keep their number if they played their prior position for at least a year and move from a position that is eligible to receive passes to another eligible position, or if he is moving from one ineligible position to another ineligible position.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-24"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[25]</span></a></li>
</ul><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCAA and high school rules specify only that offensive linemen must have numbers in the 50–79 range, but the NCAA "strongly recommends" that quarterbacks and running backs have numbers below 50 and wide receivers numbers above 79.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-25"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[26]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This helps officials, as it means that numbers 50 to 79 are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligible_receiver"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ineligible receivers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or players that may not receive a forward pass (except in the rare instance when a Tackle lines up as the outermost lineman on his side of the line and the officials are notified that he will be an eligible receiver for that particular play). There are no numbering restrictions on defensive players in the NCAA, other than that a team may not have two players on the field at the same time with the same </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squad_number"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">jersey number</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-26"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[27]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Basic strategy</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_strategy"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football strategy</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because the game stops after every down, giving teams a chance to call a new play, strategy plays a major role in football. Each team has a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">playbook</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of dozens to hundreds of plays. Ideally, each play is a scripted, strategically sound team-coordinated endeavor. Some plays are very safe; they are likely to get only a few yards. Other plays have the potential for long gains but at a greater risk of a loss of yardage or a turnover.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generally speaking, rushing plays are less risky than passing plays. However, there are relatively safe passing plays and risky running plays. To deceive the other team, some passing plays are designed to resemble running plays and vice versa. These are referred to as play-action passes and draws, respectively. There are many trick or gadget plays, such as when a team lines up as if it intends to punt and then tries to run or pass for a first down. Such high-risk plays are a great thrill to the fans when they work. However, they can spell disaster if the opposing team realizes the deception and acts accordingly.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The defense also plans plays in response to expectations of what the offense will do. For example, a "blitz" (using linebackers or defensive backs to charge the quarterback) is often attempted when the team on defense expects a pass. A blitz makes downfield passing more difficult but exposes the defense to big gains if the offensive line stems the rush.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many hours of preparation and strategizing, including film review by both players and coaches, go into the days between football games. This, along with the demanding physicality of football (see below), is why teams typically play at most one game per week.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Physicality</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main articles: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_issues_in_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Health issues in American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_protective_equipment">American football protective equipment</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_protective_equipment"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><img height="314px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XA0Bo-Mh43-EzIO-F_sY0KmghNqWP9X2KNOYppeyNvy1GsdNMeU7wY0KmZBYBXCZIA2e8rM2cFXCl2Twf5nkgODTK5Q7KHFN935VEYzgxfsbPAjCrEg" width="220px;" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A halfback leads fellow backs through an agility drill at the Air Force Academy</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football is a collision sport. To stop the offense from advancing the ball, the defense must tackle the player with the ball by knocking or pulling him down. As such, defensive players must use some form of physical contact to bring the ball-carrier to the ground, within certain rules and guidelines. Tacklers cannot kick or punch the runner. They also cannot grab the face mask of the runner's helmet or lead into a tackle with their own helmet ("spearing"). Despite these and other rules regarding unnecessary roughness, most other forms of tackling are legal. Blockers and defenders trying to evade them also have wide leeway in trying to force their opponents out of the way. Quarterbacks are regularly hit by defenders coming on full speed from outside the quarterback's field of vision. This is commonly known as a blindside.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To compensate for this, players must wear special protective equipment, such as a padded plastic </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_helmet"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">helmet</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoulder_pads"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">shoulder pads</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, hip pads and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_pad"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">knee pads</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. These protective pads were introduced decades ago and have improved ever since to help minimize lasting </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injury"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">injury</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to players. An </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unintended_consequence"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unintended consequence</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> of all the safety equipment has resulted in increasing levels of violence in the game. Players may now hurl themselves at one another at high speeds without a significant chance of injury. The injuries that do result tend to be severe and often season or career-ending and sometimes fatal. In previous years with less padding, tackling more closely resembled tackles in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rugby football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Better helmets have allowed players to use their helmets as weapons. This form of tackling is particularly unwise, because of the great potential for brain or </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">spinal injury</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. All this has caused the various leagues, especially the NFL, to implement a complicated series of penalties for various types of contact. Most recently, virtually any contact with the helmet of a defensive player on the quarterback, or any contact to the quarterback's head, is now a foul. During the late 1970s, the penalty in high school football for spearing included ejection from the game.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-27"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[28]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite protective equipment and rule changes to emphasize safety, injuries remain very common in football. It is increasingly rare, for example, for NFL quarterbacks or running backs (who take the most direct hits) to make it through an entire season without missing some time to injury.[</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">citation needed</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">] Additionally, 28 football players died from direct football injuries in the years 2000–05 and an additional 68 died indirectly from dehydration or other examples of "non-physical" dangers, according to the National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-28"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[29]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Concussions</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are common, with about 41,000 suffered every year among high school players according to the Brain Injury Association of Arizona.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-29"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[30]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In 1981, U.S. President </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Reagan"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ronald Reagan</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, who played football in high school, commented on the contact of the sport: "Football is the last thing left in civilization where men can literally fling themselves bodily at one another in combat and not be at war."</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Reagan-30"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[31]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Extra and optional equipment such as neck rolls, spider pads, rib protectors (referred to as "flak jackets"), and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbow_pad"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">elbow pads</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">help against injury as well, though they do not tend to be used by the majority of players due to their lack of requirement.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The danger of football, and the equipment required to reduce it, make regulation football impractical for casual play. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flag football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touch_football_(American)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">touch football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are less violent variants of the game popular among recreational players.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nutrition and dehydration</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Football players typically begin their season while the weather is still extremely warm and with the dangerous combination of warm weather and high humidity, dehydration is a great risk for the players.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Hemmelgran.2C_Melinda_1991-31"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[32]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The players are usually required to follow a hydration schedule. It is extremely important for players to drink enough fluids because dehydration can seriously reduce athletic performance and increase the risk of heat illnesses. Most trainers and coaches make it imperative for their players to drink fluids before they are thirsty.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-Hemmelgran.2C_Melinda_1991-31"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[32]</span></a><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brain injury</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Concussions Committee of the NFL, co-chaired by Dr. Ira Casson, has generally denied that concussions result in permanent brain injury. However, there is some research, reported in 2009, which, using phone interviews based on the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Health_Interview_Survey&action=edit&redlink=1"><span style="background-color: white; color: #ba0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Health Interview Survey</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, showed increased incidence of diagnosis of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_loss"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">memory loss</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dementia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">dementia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> among retired professional football players. Such symptoms are believed related to the effects of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concussion"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">concussion</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. More rigorous research is being conducted by Dr. Casson, neurologist, for the NFL. This finding is considered significant as such injuries may potentially affect high school and college players also.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-32"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[33]</span></a><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Organization in the United States</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_in_the_United_States"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American football in the United States</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the United States, the major forms are </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">high school football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">college football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">professional football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Most American </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_school"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">high schools</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> field football teams. In general, high school teams play only against other teams within the same </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">state</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but there are some exceptions like nearby schools located on opposite sides of a state line.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most of college football in the United States is governed by the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Collegiate Athletic Association</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (NCAA), and most colleges and universities around the country have football teams. These teams mostly play other similarly sized schools, through the NCAA's divisional system, which divides the schools into four divisions: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_Bowl_Subdivision"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Division I Bowl Subdivision</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NCAA_Football_Championship_Subdivision"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Division I Championship Subdivision</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_II_(NCAA)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Division II</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_III_(NCAA)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Division III</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Unlike the three smaller NCAA football divisions, the Division I Bowl Subdivision does not have an organized tournament to determine its national champion. Instead, teams are invited to compete in a number of post-season </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowl_games"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bowl games</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In addition, the champions of six conferences in the Division I Bowl Subdivision receive automatic bids, and four other schools receive "at-large" bids, to those five bowl games under the highly lucrative </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowl_Championship_Series"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bowl Championship Series</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to help </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_football_national_championships_in_NCAA_Division_I_FBS"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">determine the national champion</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The highest level major professional league in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the 32-team </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">National Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (NFL). Another professional league, the 5-team </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Football_League_(2009)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, also currently operates. Several semi-professional, women's semi-professional football, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">indoor football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> leagues are also played across the country.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Calendar</span></h3><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-right: 11pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Traditionally, football is an autumn sport. A season typically begins in mid-to-late August and runs through December, into January. The NFL playoffs run further through January, and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Super Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is often played in the first week of February. As such, the sport is played in a wide range of weather conditions, from the heat and humidity of late summer, to the cold winds and snow in mid-winter. Unlike </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainout_(sports)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rainouts</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in baseball, play is only generally postponed or canceled in very extreme conditions such as lightning and hurricanes.</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Draft"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL draft</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is usually held in April, in which eligible college football players are selected by NFL teams, the order of selection determined by the teams' final regular season records.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is a long-standing tradition in the United States (though not universally observed) that high school football games are played on Friday night, college games on Saturday, and professional games on Sunday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the 1970s, the NFL began to schedule one game on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monday_Night_Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Monday nights</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Beginning in 2006, the NFL began scheduling games on Thursday and Saturday nights after the college football regular season concludes in mid-November, aired on the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Network"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Network</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nationally televised Thursday-night college games have become a weekly fixture on </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ESPN</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and most nights of the week feature at least one college game, though most games are still played on the traditional Saturday.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Certain fall and winter </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">holidays</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—such as the NFL's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_Classic"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanksgiving Classic</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and numerous </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Day"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Year's Day</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> college </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowl_game"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bowl games</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">—have traditional football games associated with them.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Despite this, there are a few professional leagues that have played in the spring, mainly to avoid competition with the established leagues. Examples include the now defunct </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFL"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">XFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and the proposed </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_American_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All American Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indoor_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indoor football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is played primarily in spring for this same reason.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At most levels of competition, college football teams hold several weeks of practices in the spring. These practices typically end with an intramural scrimmage open to the public. In certain areas, high school football teams also hold spring practices.</span><br />
<h2 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside the United States</span></h2><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Outside the United States, the sport is referred to as "American football" (or a translation thereof) to differentiate it from other</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> codes such as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">association football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (soccer), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">rugby football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_rules_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Australian rules football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaelic_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gaelic football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. In Australia and New Zealand the game is also known as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, or more commonly as gridiron,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-K._O.27Brien-0"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[1]</span></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-33"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[34]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> although in the United States the term </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> refers only to the playing field itself.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-34"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[35]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The term </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gridiron</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has also been used in the UK to describe the game.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-35"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[36]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In much of the world, the term </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football_(word)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is unambiguous and refers to association football (known commonly as 'soccer' in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Exportation by the established U.S. leagues and organizations</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1977, the semi-pro football teams </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_Nite_Hawks"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Newton Nite Hawks</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and Chicago Lions completed a five-game tour in Europe.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-36"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[37]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> These were the first professional or semi-professional American football teams to play organized games on the European continent. Games were played in Versailles, France; Lille, France; Landstuhl, Germany; Gratz Austria; and Vienna, Austria.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-37"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[38]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1985, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethany_College_(Kansas)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bethany College</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> head coach and future </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Football_Hall_of_Fame"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">College Football Hall of Fame</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> member </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kessinger"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ted Kessinger</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> brought the first American football team to play in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweden"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sweden</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The Bethany "Terrible Swedes" defeated the Swedish all-star team 72–7 in</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_Olympic_Stadium"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stockholm Olympic Stadium</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-38"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[39]</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The NFL has attempted to introduce the game to other nations and operated a developmental league, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL_Europa"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NFL Europa</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (also known as the World League of American Football and NFL Europe) with teams in various European cities, but this league was closed down following the 2007 season. The professional </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and collegiate </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Interuniversity_Sport"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian Interuniversity Sport</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> play under the slightly different </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canadian rules</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Major American leagues have also held some regular season games outside of the United States. On October 2, 2005, the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Cardinals"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Arizona Cardinals</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">San Francisco 49ers</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> played the first regular season NFL game outside of the United States, in Mexico City's </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Azteca"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Estadio Azteca</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-39"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[40]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> From 2007, the NFL has played or has plans to play at least one regular season game outside of the United States during each season. The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NCAA</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> will also play games outside of the U.S. In 2012, The United States Naval Academy will play the University of Notre Dame in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dublin, Ireland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-40"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[41]</span></a><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Leagues by country</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_leagues_of_American_football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">List of leagues of American football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Australia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_Australia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron Australia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is the overall governing body for American football in Australia. The country is actually divided into state-level leagues instead of one national-level league by itself: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACT_Gridiron"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ACT Gridiron</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Capital_Territory"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Australian Capital Territory</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">),</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_NSW"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron NSW</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New South Wales</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_Queensland"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron Queensland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Queensland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australian_Gridiron_Association"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">South Australian Gridiron Association</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">South Australia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_Victoria"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron Victoria</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_(Australia)"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Victoria</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gridiron_West"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Gridiron West</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Australia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Western Australia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Belgium</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Belgian Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> fields 16 teams. The finalists from the playoffs determine the champion during the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Belgian Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brazil</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liga_Brasileira_de_Futebol_Americano"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brazilian American Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has 14 teams partitioned into north and south conferences.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finland"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Finland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaahteraliiga"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaahteraliiga</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maple League</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has eight teams. The league's name comes from the name of the championship trophy </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vaahteramalja</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> ("Maple Bowl"), which was donated to the newly formed association by the embassy of Canada in Finland.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Germany</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">German Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> has 12 teams partitioned into north and south conferences. The finalists from the playoffs determine the German champion during the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">German Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungary"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hungary</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — 18 registered teams participate in the MAFL's two-division league structure. The sport has grown significantly since 2004 and with some top Division I teams participating in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_European_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CEFL</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Ireland"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ireland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_American_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Irish American Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> consists of 14 teams. Its championship game is the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamrock_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shamrock Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Israel</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — Games are governed by the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Israeli Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Italy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Italian Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was founded in 2008, taking over previous league (National Football League Italy). It has 9 teams for the 2010 season.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Japan</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">X-League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a professional league with 60 teams in four divisions, using </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promotion_and_relegation"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">promotion and relegation</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. After the post-season playoffs, the X-League champion is determined in the Japan X Bowl. There are also over 200 universities fielding teams, with the national collegiate championship determined by the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koshien_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Koshien Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. The professional and collegiate champions then face each other in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_Bowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rice Bowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to determine the national champion.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mexico</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_College_Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ONEFA</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a college league with 26 teams in 3 conferences.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New Zealand</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Football_Wellington"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American Football Wellington</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> comprises five teams located in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellington"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wellington</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> area.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Norway</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — A rising number of teams (11 in 2010) compete in a two division league structure (division I which determines a national champion by a postseason playoff, and division 2 where newer and smaller teams are allowed to mature). Two teams (</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo_Vikings"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oslo Vikings</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eidsvoll_1814s"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Eidsvoll 1814s</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) regularly compete in either the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">European Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> or the</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EFAF_Cup"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">EFAF Cup</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Eidsvoll was the runner-up in EFAF Cup 2006.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poland"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Poland</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — Games are governed by the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_American_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Polish American Football League</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbia"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serbia</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — Teams in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nacionalna_Liga_Srbije"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nacionalna Liga Srbije</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> compete in the Serbian Bowl.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spain"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Spain</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LNFA"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LNFA</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> was founded in 1995, and currently consists of 15 clubs.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">United Kingdom</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> — 70 amateur teams play in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAFA_Community_Leagues"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BAFA Community Leagues</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (BAFACL) across a number of age ranges. The senior (adult) league has three levels: the Premiership, comprising six teams; Division 1, comprising 18 teams split across three regional conferences; and Division 2, comprising 23 teams split across four regional conferences. While the lower level teams have their own championship games during BritBowl Weekend, only Premier Division teams face each other in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BritBowl"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BritBowl</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> which is held in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Worcester</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'s </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixways_Stadium"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sixways Stadium</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Unlike the NFL, the BAFACL season is played through the summer (April to September), with the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Universities_American_Football_League"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">British university season</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> spanning the autumn and winter.</span><br />
<h3 dir="ltr"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The IFAF and the American Football World Cup</span></h3><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Main article: </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Federation_of_American_Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">International Federation of American Football</span></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Federation_of_American_Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">International Federation of American Football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (IFAF) is the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">de facto</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> governing body for American football, with 45 member associations from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Oceania. The organization is headquartered in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Courneuve"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">La Courneuve</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/France"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">France</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Although the IFAF has relatively little standing in the U.S. compared to the NFL, NCAA, and the other established aforementioned bodies, these same organizations also give support to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA_Football"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">USA Football</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the designated U.S. representative to the IFAF.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The IFAF also oversees the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IFAF_World_Cup"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">American Football World Cup</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which is held every four years. Japan won the first two World Cups, held in 1999 and 2003. Team USA, which had not participated in the previous World Cups, won the title in 2007.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A long term goal of the IFAF is for American football to be accepted by the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">International Olympic Committee</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as an </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_sports"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Olympic sport</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football#cite_note-41"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">[42]</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> The only time that the sport was played was </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_at_the_1932_Summer_Olympics"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">at the 1932 Summer Olympics</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Los Angeles</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, but as a </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demonstration_sport"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0645ad; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">demonstration sport</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #333333; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 15px; white-space: normal;">Text is available under the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License" rel="license" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License</a>; additional terms may apply. See <a href="http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Terms_of_use" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">Terms of use</a> for details.<br />
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the <a href="http://www.wikimediafoundation.org/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;">Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.</a>, a non-profit organization.</span></span></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-40745170745695044602010-10-25T03:53:00.000-07:002010-10-25T03:53:04.928-07:00Google Public Location Badge<!-- Google Public Location Badge --><br />
<iframe src="http://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge/api?user=-5583107316336518570&type=iframe&maptype=roadmap" width="180" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br />
<!-- To disable location sharing, you *must* visit https://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge and disable the Google Public Location badge. Removing this code snippet is not enough! -->maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-83686343454084755072010-08-18T05:06:00.000-07:002010-08-18T05:16:44.281-07:00Foursquare Privacy 101<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">We like to think the mobile/social products we’re building here at foursquare are pretty powerful and we’re thrilled to have so many passionate users who find significant value in sharing their location with others. However, we know an important concern for most anyone using location-based services is privacy. Where you are and the places you go can often be sensitive and we want our users to be comfortable with how this information is shared via foursquare.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">The bottom line is that we understand how important privacy is to you. From the beginning we’ve been working hard to build a robust range of privacy controls into the foursquare experience to give users control over the amount of information they share about their location. We’ve been a leader in the location-based services space - popularizing the concept of voluntarily “checking in” to places - and we aspire to be leaders in the way we educate our users on privacy issues related to location awareness.</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">To explain what type of information is shared on foursquare, we’ve broken out some highlights below:</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Sharing Location</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">Your location data is <em>ONLY</em> shared with others when you proactively decide to “check in” to tell foursquare you’re at a particular place. Each of your foursquare check-ins is saved to your <a href="http://foursquare.com/privacy/#history" rel="facebox" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">"Check-in History"</a> which allows you to look back at all the places you have checked in since you created your foursquare account. You can delete any or all of your check-ins from the History page on the foursquare website. If for some reason you ever decide to delete your foursquare account, your entire check-in history will be removed from our database.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Foursquare Friends</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">To view another user’s check-in information, you need to add them as a friend (and they need to accept your invitation), or you need to accept a friend invitation from them. (Our friending model is similar to Facebook’s “friends” rather than Twitter’s “followers”). Only your foursquare friends can see your feed of individual check-ins.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">User Settings</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">We provide a wide range of privacy controls to all users on the <a href="http://foursquare.com/settings" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">User Settings page</a>. These settings control things such as whether your foursquare friends are allowed to see your email and phone number, whether you want to participate in public Mayorships, whether local merchants can see when you’ve checked into their businesses, and options for sharing your foursquare actions with Twitter and/or Facebook.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Determining Location</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">Whenever you open the foursquare app on your mobile phone, we use the location information from your phone to tailor the foursquare experience to your current location (i.e. we’ll show you a list of nearby venues, friends and tips). This information is <em>NOT</em> published to your profile or shared with others. We save this information until the next time you launch the foursquare app, at which time we delete your old location information and replace it with your most recent location information.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Who’s Here</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">One of the benefits of foursquare is that it allows you to connect with other users in your neighborhood. We’ve specifically designed features that can give you a glimpse into which other foursquare users (both friends and non-friends) are currently checked in at nearby venues. In our mobile apps, you’ll find this information listed under the heading “Who’s Here” when you click on a venue. Since we realize some folks may not want to appear on this “Who’s Here” list, you can opt out of this feature on your <a href="http://foursquare.com/privacy/#settings" rel="facebox" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">User Settings page</a>.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">"Off the Grid"</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">Sometimes you’ll want to check in without sharing your specific whereabouts with friends. This is why we created “off the grid” check-ins -- a way of adding places to your check-in history, earning points and badges while letting your friends know you’re out, all without disclosing your specific location to them. We find this comes in handy on dates, dinners with parents, or at a coffee shop when you’re just trying to get some work done - really anywhere where you don’t want to friends to drop in. To check-in “off the grid”, simply select “No” on the “Share this check-in with friends” option seen on every “check-in” screen across our mobile apps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_in8o4gSNQQE/TGvMZFuO7cI/AAAAAAAAD9U/EUFwMDs-o5o/s1600/offTheGrid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_in8o4gSNQQE/TGvMZFuO7cI/AAAAAAAAD9U/EUFwMDs-o5o/s320/offTheGrid.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: inline !important; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Twitter and Facebook</strong></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">Foursquare gives you the option of sharing some of your activity to your Twitter and/or Facebook accounts. Of course, when you publish foursquare check-ins, Mayorships, or badge unlocks to Twitter or Facebook, this information will be viewable by the communities on those services (and in the case of Twitter, may be discoverable by search engines). Please see <a href="http://support.foursquare.com/forums/191152-privacy" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">our FAQs</a> for more information on what happens when you choose to connect your foursquare account to your Twitter or Facebook accounts, and how you can adjust which information you share across these services.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Sharing Matrix</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">Foursquare was designed to make it easier to share your favorite places and experiences with friends. We do this in several ways, including check-ins, Mayorships and badge unlocks. For an outline of what information is shared only with foursquare friends vs. the wider foursquare community (and what controls you have over what is shared) please review the table <a href="http://foursquare.com/privacy/grid" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">here</a>.</div><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Privacy Policy</strong><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-top: 5px;">For further detail on foursquare’s approach to these issues, please see our <a href="http://foursquare.com/legal/privacy" style="color: #2398c9; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">privacy policy</a>.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><strong style="clear: both; color: #555555; display: block; font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; padding-top: 10px;">Last Updated August 17, 2010</strong><br />
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<h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What is a foursquare check-in?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">When you tell foursquare where you are, that's called "checking in". You can check in from parks, bars, museums, restaurants, libraries...really anywhere. When you check in, we'll let your friends know where they can find you and award you points and badges based on your adventurousness. You should only check in once to where you are at the time--no drive by check-ins or couch check-ins, please! </div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">Where can I check in on foursquare?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can check in any place that has location: a coffee shop, a park, the bridge you're strolling over, an airport, your home (yes, this is allowed! we'll even have a way to mark these locations private and friends-only soon), your office--basically anywhere. We find that the community mostly self-polices what is acceptable (if you create a faux venue along the lines of "Yo Momma," chances are someone will keep closing it...), so try to remember that those around you use foursquare for fun and to discover places around them as well. Many local businesses offer specials (10% off Pinkberry with a check-in, for example) for a check-in or for being the mayor of a venue--keep an eye out for the yellow "Special Nearby" icon when you're checking in to discover new venues offering deals near you!</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I check in on foursquare?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Load up your foursquare app on your device, click "check in" and then select the place where you currently are from the Places tab. Venues will occasionally be grouped into "My Favorites" or "Nearby" lists, helping you find the venue you're looking for even faster. If you don't see the venue listed, click "Not in List?" and search for the venue by partial name (to guarantee best search results), and click the big green button to check in. You can then decide whether you want to tell your friends where you are or keep your check in private (i.e. "off the grid") You also have the option to add a "shout," (think: adding context to your check-in and letting your friends know what you're doing) as well as to publish to Twitter and/or Facebook if you've linked those accounts in your <a href="http://foursquare.com/settings" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Foursquare Settings">settings</a>.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What does [off the grid] mean?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">An "off the grid" check-in is a private check-in where you hide your location. Sometimes you'll want to check in without letting your friends know where they can find you.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Why? You could be on a date, out to dinner with your parents, or someplace you don't want people to know about...all while still wanting to check in to earn badges and see your check-ins later in your <a href="http://foursquare.com/history" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Foursquare History">history page</a>.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">"Off the grid" checkins allow you to still use foursquare without broadcasting your location to everyone, but your friends will see that you checked in, just [off the grid].</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Hint: to check in off the grid, just de-select "tell my friends" on the check-in screen of your app.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How often can I check in on foursquare?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">We don't set limits on check-ins, per se, but if our system thinks you're checking into too many places in a short amount of time, or checking into two places that are too far to travel between, or consistently checking into places that are far from where your device thinks you are, we won't award points, badges, or mayorships for your check-in. Only check in where you are at the time, and it's accepted that you should only check into a place that you are actually at (i.e. not just walking by).</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Foursquare is meant to be a social utility that helps you connect with your friends and track your own personal history</div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; line-height: normal;">How can I become a mayor in foursquare?</span></span><br />
<h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 17px;"><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">If you've been to a place more than anyone else we'll crown you the "The Mayor" of that place.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">We calculate mayorships based on the most *days* with check-ins in the past 60 days (so 2 check-ins to the same place in one day just count 1x). Look out though - if someone else comes along who has checked in more days than you, they will steal the "Mayor" title back from you. A lot of bars and cafes now offering "Mayor Specials" -- a free coffee or appetizer or maybe a special discount to the mayors of their venues (and sometimes just to anyone who checks in! Watch for the yellow "Special Nearby" icon in your app).</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">(Hint: if you want to become mayor, you will need to have uploaded a profile photo to your account via your <a href="http://foursquare.com/settings" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">settings</a> page)</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What are foursquare badges?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Badges are little rewards you earn based on your check in habits (for example, frequenting too many karaoke bars, eating lots of pizza, taking your kids to the playground). We're constantly adding new badges, and now you can earn fun badges from some of the brands we partner with (currently Starbucks, AskMen.com, Bravo, Zagat, The History Channel, The Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, Lucky Magazine, Thrillist, BART, VH1, MTV and more!). To earn branded badges, find their page by searching or by scrolling to the bottom of the homepage at foursquare.com, then "follow" the brand for relevant tips and themed badges.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">In the past, many of our badges were earned based on venue "tags," but we've changed things up a bit to make it a bit trickier to earn badges and to keep the tags behind the scenes. Hey, we didn't like seeing every other venue tagged with irrelevant tags either! If you see a venue tagged incorrectly, let us know.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What are foursquare tips and to-dos?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Foursquare to be as much about sharing experience as it as about connecting with friends and discovering new places. Every foursquare user has the ability to create both "Tips" and "To-Dos" for places. Tips are generally things you'd recommend to others ("Go to PDT and try the bacon-infused Old Fashioned") while To-Dos are more "notes to self" ("Remember to come back and try the pesto noodles"). Whenever you check-in to a location, we'll try to pop-up a tip that one of your friends has left nearby (you'll be surprised how often these help you choose what to order at a bar or restaurant!). And, of course, you can take these Tips and To-Dos with you on your phone so wherever you happen to be, you'll always have a recommendation of something interesting to do nearby.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">Where is foursquare available?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can use foursquare anywhere in the world! Check in at the Statue of Liberty in NYC, the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur or the Arch de Triomphe in Paris! Back in the day, we were limited to select cities, but now you can check in anywhere you please!</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I add "tips" in foursquare?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Tips are at the center of the activities ecosystem within foursquare - you can jump in and <a href="http://foursquare.com/add" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="add tips to foursquare">start adding tips by clicking here</a></div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can also add a tip to venues via the app when you are on a venue screen. On the iPhone, tap the box with the arrow on the upper right hand corner and select "add a tip here." On the BlackBerry, when you are on a venue page, you'll see the option to add a tip when you scroll down.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Best practices for tips</div><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 36px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"><li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">tips are about "going here, and doing this" - they are focused on providing relevant information about a location that someone can accomplish while they are there</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">tips are about something you would want to hear from a friend</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">tips are tidbits of cached information that someone can stumble upon and "unlock" when they get to a location</li>
<li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 2px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">we automatically display tips that you've left to your friends, so keep them useful (and no spamming, please!)</li>
</ol><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">Some great tips from our partners:</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/thrillist" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/thrillist</a></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Kittichai: Get an early drunk on at this all you can drink brunch. $20 will get you unlimited Mimosas, Bellinis, or Bloodys, along with an entrée. #thrillist #nyc(January 20, 2010) [Link]</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Daioh Sushi: Roll in between 7-11PM and choose between a grip of martinis, seven tequila shot, ten sake shots, or three beers for $10. #thrillist (January 20, 2010) [Link]</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Fatty Crab: Stop by on any Monday to stuff your face with all-you-can-eat Chili Crab for $39. #thrillist (January 20, 2010)</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/bonappetitmag" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/bonappetitmag</a></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ The Blind Tiger: More than 50 beers by the bottle and 28 on tap. Craft, imported, Trappist. Don't bother asking for Bud Light here. (1 week ago) [Link]</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ The Standard Biergarten: Besides great views, The Standard hotel also has NY's hippest beer garden. The menu, designed by Michelin-starred chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, includes fat, flavor-packed sausages and plus-size pretzels. (1 week ago) [Link]</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/zagat" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/zagat</a></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;"></div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Nick and Stef's Steakhouse: Hard-core sports fan like this Garment District resto for its secret door into Madison Square Garden. (3 days ago)</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Yama: Lunch boxes start at $8.50, which includes soup, salad and rice. (3 days ago)</div><div id="_mcePaste" style="height: 1px; left: -10000px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: absolute; top: 54px; width: 1px;">@ Yoshi's Cafe: On Wednesdays wine is offered half price. (3 days ago)</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Some great tips from our partners:</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/thrillist" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Thrillist on Foursquare"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></strong></a><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/thrillist" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/thrillist</a></strong><br />
@ Daioh Sushi: Roll in between 7-11PM and choose between a grip of martinis, seven tequila shot, ten sake shots, or three beers for $10.<br />
<br />
@ Fatty Crab: Stop by on any Monday to stuff your face with all-you-can-eat Chili Crab for $39.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://foursquare.com/bonappetitmag" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></strong></a><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/bonappetitmag" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/bonappetitmag</a></strong><br />
@ The Blind Tiger: More than 50 beers by the bottle and 28 on tap. Craft, imported, Trappist. Don't bother asking for Bud Light here.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">@ The Standard Biergarten: Besides great views, The Standard hotel also has NY's hippest beer garden. The menu, designed by Michelin-starred chef Kurt Gutenbrunner, includes fat, flavor-packed sausages and plus-size pretzels.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><br />
<a href="http://foursquare.com/zagat" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></strong></a><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://foursquare.com/zagat" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://foursquare.com/zagat</a></strong><br />
@ Nick and Stef's Steakhouse: Hard-core sports fan like this Garment District resto for its secret door into Madison Square Garden.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">@ Yama: Lunch boxes start at $8.50, which includes soup, salad and rice. (3 days ago)@ Yoshi's Cafe: On Wednesdays wine is offered half price.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">Can homes or offices be venues on foursquare?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Yes, homes and offices <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">are</em> legit venues (as long as the person whose home it is is ok having their location visible online). If you are a superuser, do not close home and office venues. Feel free to have fun when naming your home as a venue, but please do not use any inappropriate language (your venue will probably be removed in that case).</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">**We will soon have a way to display venues marked as private to friends only.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I create a foursquare venue?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can create a venue on your phone via the foursquare app. When you are on the places tab, try searching for the venue first. If you can't find the venue, then click the option to add a venue. (tip: if you want to check in somewhere private so that it shows on your history, but not add the place to our system for others to find, you can click the second option after searching for a venue: "check in here without adding the venue")</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can also create a venue on the website: <a href="http://foursquare.com/add_venue" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">foursquare.com/add_venue</a>.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What is the foursquare stats page all about?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Take a look at your <a href="http://foursquare.com/stats" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">stats page</a> to see where you've been and when you've been there. If you're into infographics and tracking your personal history, you'll love this page. Friends, venues, charts, graphs, percentages--this page has many types of information about your foursquare check-ins, visually and numerically represented. (We're total data nerds and very much into personal tracking, sorry to geek out on you!)</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I check in from my computer?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Point your browser to <a href="http://m.foursquare.com/" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://m.foursquare.com/</a>, scroll down the page and underneath your friends' feed, click on option # 2 "<a href="http://support.foursquare.com/mobile/checkin" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Check-in</a> (tell us where you are!)." It will open up a new page (screenshot attached) where you can easily check in!</div></div><ul class="attachment-list" id="attachment_list_1272495274" style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: initial !important; list-style-type: none !important; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 35px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><li class="attachment-item" id="attachment_item_6244580" style="background-attachment: initial !important; background-clip: initial !important; background-color: initial !important; background-image: none !important; background-origin: initial !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; color: #666666; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: initial !important; list-style-type: none !important; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 11px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="attachment-container" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="attachment" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://support.foursquare.com/attachments/token/7ebnpbj72w9x2ne/?name=Check_in_on_Computer.jpeg" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Check in on Computer.jpeg" class="thumbnailed" src="http://support.foursquare.com/attachments/show/6244581" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; top: 2px; width: 14px;" title="Check in on Computer.jpeg (public)" /></a></span> <span class="attachment-name" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://support.foursquare.com/attachments/token/7ebnpbj72w9x2ne/?name=Check_in_on_Computer.jpeg" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Check in on Computer.jpeg</a></span> (<span class="attachment-name" style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://support.foursquare.com/entries/196598-how-do-i-check-in-from-my-computer#" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">quick view</a></span>)</div></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I earn badges?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Earn badges by checking into various venues and exploring your city! While we won't reveal how you can obtain these badges, we'll give you a few hints: some badges are tied to venue "tags" (these are hidden and no longer tied to the tags that users add!) and others may be specific to an event or category. We'd tell you more, but what's the fun in that? (P.S. A simple Google search will provide you with further guidelines, but we do not endorse nor authorize this information :)</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">I think I should have earned a badge but it's not showing up on my account. What gives?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">We don't give away how exactly you can earn badges--it's more fun that way!--but you can probably find details about them by doing a quick Google search (though we cannot confirm third party information about foursquare). If you haven't earned a badge that you think you should have, it's possible that our system has flagged some of your check-ins. Due to our anti-couch check-in controls, check-ins that were made when you seem to be far away from a venue, check-ins that exceed our time limit counts, or check-ins that are farther apart that a person could travel would all be flagged and not earn you badges. Keep your check-ins legit and keep trying out new places (and frequenting your favorites), and you'll earn badges in due </div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How can I find out that I'm getting friend requests?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can opt to receive emails when you get a friend request. You can update this in on your <a href="http://foursquare.com/settings" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">settings</a> page. Make sure there is a check mark next to "Send Emails when my friends check in."</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">You can also check in the app on the me tab and then click on friends, and then pending friend requests. You can also view friend requests at <a href="http://foursquare.com/manage_friends" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">foursquare.com/manage_friends</a>.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How can I become a superuser?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">We're revamping our superuser system so that we can better allow users to help. Superusers are vital to foursquare and have been of enormous help so far, but for the time being we're not upgrading people while we make improvements. Check back soon!</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">How do I get pings or notifications when my friends check in?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Go to <a href="http://foursquare.com/manage_friends" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">foursquare.com/manage_friends</a> and select or deselect who you want to receive pings from on your iPhone or Android device. Make sure that you've allowed pings from foursquare in your iPhone settings app or in your Android preferences (go to the menu, click preferences, and set your notification settings).</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><b><i>*Note that you can only receive pings from friends that are in the same city that you're in.</i></b></div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"></span></div><h3 class="entry-title" style="color: #444444; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 9px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 8px;">What is a mayor?</h3><div class="user_formatted header_section" style="border-top-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 12px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">A mayor in foursquare is the user with the most number of *days* with check-ins at a specific place within the past 60 days. Only one check-in per day counts towards your mayorship tally. If you have a lot of check-ins that seem fake or consistently far away from where you are checking in, these check-ins will not count towards the mayorship total. Lots of businesses are now offering specials for the mayor of venues, so be sure to keep a look out for specials nearby when you're looking at the places tab in the app.</div><div style="clear: left; color: #333333; font-size: 1em; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 1px; text-align: left;">Hint: Only users with a photo uploaded to their account (no faceless mayors!) will be eligible, so you should upload a photo from your <a href="http://foursquare.com/settings" style="color: #1a6690; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">settings</a> page.</div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</span></span></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 14px;"><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="maestross" href="http://twitter.com/maestross">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></h3></div></div></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-91694549784099251492010-08-12T09:38:00.000-07:002010-08-12T09:42:06.002-07:00Tweet Button<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 14px;">Add this button to your website to let people share content on Twitter without having to leave the page. Promote strategic Twitter accounts at the same time while driving traffic to your website.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 14px;"><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="vertical" data-via="maestross" href="http://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></span></span></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-21850165125364181852010-08-06T16:49:00.000-07:002010-08-06T16:49:17.166-07:00Big Bird Button<script language="JavaScript" src="http://twittercounter.com/embed/?username=maestross&style=bird" type="text/javascript">
</script>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-60229998199625106772010-08-06T14:43:00.000-07:002010-08-06T14:43:24.735-07:00The Twitter Widget brings twitter and your site community together.<script type="text/javascript" id="tcws_4412581">(function(){function async_load(){var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text/javascript';s.async=true;s.src='http://twittercounter.com/remote/?v=2&username_owner=maestross&users_id=835434&width=240&nr_show=6&hr_color=709cb2&a_color=709cb2&bg_color=ffffff';x=document.getElementById('tcws_4412581'); x.parentNode.insertBefore(s,x);}if(window.attachEvent){window.attachEvent('onload',async_load);}else{window.addEventListener('load',async_load,false);}})(); </script><div id="tcw_4412581"></div>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-26453512757093854842010-08-06T13:00:00.000-07:002010-08-06T13:00:32.983-07:00SLIDE SHOW<p style="visibility:visible;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widget-59.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" height="320" width="426" style="width:426px;height:320px"><param name="movie" value="http://widget-59.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="scale" value="noscale" /><param name="salign" value="l" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="flashvars" value="cy=ms&il=1&channel=2666130979440759897&site=widget-59.slide.com"/></object><p style="white-space:nowrap"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2666130979440759897&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-59.slide.com/p1/2666130979440759897/ms_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2666130979440759897&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-59.slide.com/p2/2666130979440759897/ms_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2666130979440759897&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-59.slide.com/p4/2666130979440759897/ms_t016_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></p></p>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-26359969265505875752010-07-29T09:13:00.000-07:002010-08-06T15:46:14.688-07:00Foursquare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_in8o4gSNQQE/TFyQnW6CAgI/AAAAAAAAD9E/B0fLLbvnrSs/s1600/foursquare-badges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_in8o4gSNQQE/TFyQnW6CAgI/AAAAAAAAD9E/B0fLLbvnrSs/s320/foursquare-badges.jpg" /></a></div><b><a href="http://www.foursquare.com/">Foursquare </a></b>is a location based social network that incorporates gaming elements.<br />
<br />
Users share their location with friends by “checking in” via a smartphone app or by text message. Points are awarded for checking in at various venues. Users can connect their Foursquare accounts to their Twitter and Facebook accounts, which can update when a check in is registered. By checking in a certain number of times, or in different locations, users can collect virtual badges. In addition, users who have checked in the most times at a certain venue will be crowned “Mayor” until someone surpasses their number. Various venues have embraced Foursquare, and offer special deals to users who are “mayors”.<br />
<br />
Foursquare has applications for iPhone, Android, Blackberry, and Windows Mobile<br />
<br />
Foursquare was created by Dennis Crowley and Naveen Selvadurai.maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-68880871002487308052010-07-26T07:08:00.000-07:002010-07-26T07:11:09.161-07:00Google Public Location Badge<iframe src="http://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge/api?user=-5583107316336518570&type=iframe&maptype=roadmap&hl=bg" width="180" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-13626075650826991122010-07-14T12:34:00.000-07:002010-07-22T04:55:23.084-07:00maestross - our stage<a href="http://www.ourstage.com/banner/referrer/bookmark/maestross"><img src="http://www.ourstage.com/banner/referrer/image/maestross.jpg" style="width:280px;height:300px;border:none;"/></a>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-69614025131058648442010-07-10T14:11:00.000-07:002010-07-10T14:16:12.149-07:0010 awesome Twitter tricks<a href="http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/10-awesome-twitter-tricks/">10 awesome Twitter tricks</a><br />
<br />
<script type="text/javascript" src="http://tweetmeme.com/i/scripts/button.js"></script>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-40652545796593372072010-07-07T11:11:00.000-07:002010-07-07T11:11:22.425-07:00Life In A Day - July 24 2010<a href="http://www.youtube.com/lifeinaday">YouTube - lifeinaday's Channel</a>: "Life In A Day is a historic global experiment to create a user-generated feature film shot in a single day. On July 24, you have 24 hours to capture a glimpse of your life on camera. The most compelling and distinctive footage will be edited into a feature film, produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Kevin Macdonald."maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-81463572569669735602010-07-05T14:27:00.000-07:002010-07-05T14:27:54.946-07:00Twitter Profile WidgetПреди няколко години бях сложил такъв widget в blog-a на моя site www.maestross.com<br />
Но от близо година не мога да плащам за хоставането му, където и да било, най-малко там където беше - за съжалениеmaestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-11577447009556305062010-07-05T13:17:00.000-07:002010-07-05T14:23:43.146-07:00profile widget<script src="http://widgets.twimg.com/j/2/widget.js"></script><br />
<script>
new TWTR.Widget({
version: 2,
type: 'profile',
rpp: 4,
interval: 6000,
width: 250,
height: 300,
theme: {
shell: {
background: '#333333',
color: '#ffffff'
},
tweets: {
background: '#000000',
color: '#ffffff',
links: '#4aed05'
}
},
features: {
scrollbar: false,
loop: false,
live: false,
hashtags: true,
timestamp: true,
avatars: false,
behavior: 'all'
}
}).render().setUser('maestross').start();
</script>maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-75402258839200067542010-06-13T11:07:00.001-07:002010-06-13T11:07:09.134-07:002010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTI3NjQ1MjI*Mjk4OSZwdD*xMjc2NDUyNDI1ODc4JnA9MTEyNDEyMSZkPWZ3Y19lJm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTImbz*1NDFlNGIz/MDdjM2I*YjkwOWQyOTZjODgyNWJmMWRkZCZvZj*w.gif" /><object classid=clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000 codebase=http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,0,0 width="300" height="400" align="top" id="WFHost"> <param name = "FlashVars" value = "Partner=1124121&theme=New Classic&widgetW=300&widgetH=400&widgetX=0&widgetY=0&stickyType=&WFBtnX=0&WFBtnY=0&defaultPreviewURL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/images/image_e.png&useFacebookMystuff=false&buttonURL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/images/button.png&URL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/main.swf%3Fteam%3Dusa%26lang%3De" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name = "movie" value = http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/swf/WildfireHost3.swf /> <embed name = "WFHost" id = "WFHost" width = "300" height = "400" src = http://cdn.gigya.com/wildfire/swf/WildfireHost3.swf flashvars="Partner=1124121&theme=New Classic&widgetW=300&widgetH=400&widgetX=0&widgetY=0&stickyType=&WFBtnX=0&WFBtnY=0&defaultPreviewURL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/images/image_e.png&useFacebookMystuff=false&buttonURL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/images/button.png&URL=http://www.fifa.com/flash/widgets/worldcup/main.swf%3Fteam%3Dusa%26lang%3De" AllowScriptAccess="always" quality="high" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" > </embed></object> maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-57836499866511532412010-06-13T08:36:00.000-07:002012-07-23T06:17:03.949-07:00The name and my avatar in several languages /// Името и аватара ми на няколко езикаइवान तेर्ज़ेव<br />אבן טרזאב<br />یوان ترزیو<br />இவன் தேர்ஜிஎவ்<br />ഇവന് റ്റെര്ഴിഎവ്<br /><br />==========<br /><br />मेस्त्रोस<br />μαεστροσς<br />מאסטרוס<br />مااستروس<br />मेस्त्रोस<br />ਮੇਸ੍ਤ੍ਰੋੱਸ<br />ماسترزmaestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-60687482131114967842010-05-26T14:58:00.001-07:002010-05-26T15:02:05.669-07:00Google Public Location Badge<!-- Google Public Location Badge --><br /><iframe src="http://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge/api?user=-5583107316336518570&type=iframe&maptype=roadmap" width="180" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><!-- To disable location sharing, you *must* visit http://www.google.com/latitude/apps/badge and disable the Google Public Location badge. Removing this code snippet is not enough! -->maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-55691856229028286362010-04-12T21:39:00.001-07:002010-04-12T21:39:11.453-07:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTI3MTEzMzQ3NDcwMiZwdD*xMjcxMTMzNTQ3NzQzJnA9MjcwODEmZD1taW5pX211c2ljX3BsYXllciZuPWJsb2dnZXImZz*y/JmY9YiZvZj*w.gif" /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/33/video_gallery_widget.swf?page_object_id=artist_477747&id=477747&backgroundcolor=EEEEEE&font_color=000000&autoPlay=" height="374" width="332" > </embed><br/><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/main/tunewidget_overview" onclick="javascript:window.location.href="http://www.reverbnation.com/c./a4/33/477747/Artist/0/User/link"; return false;"><img alt="Myspace music player" border="0" height="19" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/content/33/footer.png" width="332" /></a><br/><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widgets/trk/33/artist_477747//t.gif"/><a href="http://www.quantcast.com/p-05---xoNhTXVc" target="_blank"><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-05---xoNhTXVc.gif" style="display: none" border="0" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/></a> maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-46660940750244264052010-04-12T21:34:00.001-07:002010-04-12T21:34:23.700-07:00<img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.11NXC/bHQ9MTI3MTEzMjc*MDY3MCZwdD*xMjcxMTMzMjY*NTc2JnA9MjcwODEmZD1taW5pX211c2ljX3BsYXllciZuPWJsb2dnZXImZz*y/JmY9YiZvZj*w.gif" /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/swf/33/video_gallery_widget.swf?page_object_id=artist_477747&id=477747&backgroundcolor=EEEEEE&font_color=000000&autoPlay=" height="374" width="332" > </embed><br/><a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/fanreachpro" onclick="javascript:window.location.href="http://www.reverbnation.com/c./a4/33/477747/Artist/0/User/link"; return false;"><img alt="Band email" border="0" height="19" src="http://cache.reverbnation.com/widgets/content/33/footer.png" width="332" /></a><br/><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://www.reverbnation.com/widgets/trk/33/artist_477747//t.gif"/><a href="http://www.quantcast.com/p-05---xoNhTXVc" target="_blank"><img src="http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-05---xoNhTXVc.gif" style="display: none" border="0" height="1" width="1" alt="Quantcast"/></a> maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16143109.post-52619718554992835792009-12-24T08:22:00.000-08:002010-04-12T20:47:15.546-07:00Nokia N900<object width="364" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.cnet.com/av/video/flv/universalPlayer/universalSmall.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="FlashVars" value="playerType=embedded&type=id&value=50078018" /></object><br />=====================<br /><div id='networkedblogs_nwidget_container' style='height:360px;padding-top:10px;'><div id='networkedblogs_nwidget_above'></div><div id='networkedblogs_nwidget_widget' style="border:1px solid #D1D7DF;background-color:#F5F6F9;margin:0px auto;"><div id="networkedblogs_nwidget_logo" style="padding:1px;margin:0px;background-color:#edeff4;text-align:center;height:21px;"><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/" target="_blank" title="NetworkedBlogs"><img style="border: none;" src="http://static.networkedblogs.com/static/images/logo_small.png" title="NetworkedBlogs"/></a></div><div id="networkedblogs_nwidget_body" style="text-align: center;"></div><div id="networkedblogs_nwidget_follow" style="padding:5px;"><a style="display:block;line-height:100%;width:90px;margin:0px auto;padding:4px 8px;text-align:center;background-color:#3b5998;border:1px solid #D9DFEA;border-bottom-color:#0e1f5b;border-right-color:#0e1f5b;color:#FFFFFF;font-family:'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-decoration:none;" href="http://networkedblogs.com/blog/maestross/?ahash=41df1a2067b694c0dbad1ca538240e4b">Follow this blog</a></div></div><div id='networkedblogs_nwidget_below'></div></div><script type="text/javascript"><!--<br />if(typeof(networkedblogs)=="undefined"){networkedblogs = {};networkedblogs.blogId=407929;networkedblogs.shortName="maestross";}<br />--></script><script src="http://nwidget.networkedblogs.com/getnetworkwidget?bid=407929" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The good</span>: The Nokia N900 offers a powerful mobile Web browser, plenty of storage, a 5-megapixel camera, and an ultrasharp display. It's also fast, multitasks well, and has excellent call quality. Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth, and GPS are all onboard.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The bad</span>: The user interface isn't very intuitive. Ovi Store for the N900 isn't live yet, limiting the number of available apps, and it doesn't sync with Exchanger Server 2003. The phone is a bit bulky and not all apps work in portrait mode.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The bottom line</span>: While it has yet to reach its full potential, the Nokia N900 is a powerful mobile device with excellent browsing capabilities and vast customization options. However, its unintuitive interface and other limitations make this a smartphone for tech enthusiasts and early adopters only.maestrosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16615792636972037937noreply@blogger.com0