More Formation and Positions

I found this diagram on Wikipedia which I think is quite useful for me at this stage:

(Image from Wikipedia)

At some point I will start using 'proper' American football sources, but for now Wikipedia is pretty useful.

This morning I have been learning a bit more about the positions. 

Offense:

In the offense, ends are 'tight ends' if they place close to the offensive linemen - logical really! If they play further out, they are 'split ends' or sometimes wide receivers. Other wide receivers (the backs) are referred to as 'flankers', if they play wide (but still in the backfield) or 'slot receivers' if they play in the slot between the tight end and the rest of the offensive line. There isn't a slot receiver on the above diagram but you can see where they would be positioned, which helps me a lot. Seven players must be on the line of scrimmage at the start of a play, and four must be behind, although their actual positions can vary a lot.

Defense:

All defensive players have to be behind their line of scrimmage. Some players line up opposite the offensive line and, unsurprisingly, are called the defensive linemen. They usually have a defensive end at each end, and one or two tackles in between. The linebackers are behind them (I mentioned their strong, middle and week positions in yesterday's post). Cornerbacks usually line up opposite wide receivers, and safeties are at the back. For some reason (haven't got to why exactly yet) the linemen and linebackers are referred to as 'in the box' and everyone else is 'outside the box'.

Note: My other half has explained that this is to give a quick idea of whether the formation is trying to stop the pass or the run. If there are seven in the box, which is usual, the defense are probably trying to stop a pass. If there are more, they are probably trying to stop the run (for example, if the offense are very close to the defense's end zone).