Back (American football)

In American football, a back is a player who plays off of the line of scrimmage (as opposed to a lineman). Historically, the term "back" was used to describe multiple positions on offense and defense, although more descriptive and specific position naming is now common. Back also was a sole position in the one-platoon system era.

Thus, "back" can refer to positions including:

Offense

 * Fullback, one of the two rushing positions, along with the halfback
 * Halfback, one of the two rushing positions, along with the fullback
 * Tailback, a halfback who is lined up deep in the backfield, as in the I formation
 * H-back, an offensive position that lines up similarly to a tight end, but is set back from the line of scrimmage
 * Quarterback, a member of the offensive team that lines up directly behind the offensive line and receives the snap of the ball at the beginning of a play
 * Running back, a member of the offensive backfield whose primary role is to receive handoffs from the quarterback to run with the ball
 * Singleback, an offensive formation that only requires one running back
 * Slotback, a wide receiver on the offensive team that is positioned in the "slot" (located between the last offensive lineman/tight end and the next wide receiver)
 * Upback, a blocker who lines up behind the line of scrimmage in punting situations
 * Wingback, a position in the single wing formation, usually a running back

Defense

 * Defensive back, a member of the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage
 * Cornerback, a member of the defensive team that primary defends wide receivers
 * Dimeback, a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back
 * Nickelback, a cornerback or safety who serves as the additional defensive back in a nickel defense
 * Safety, although this position does not have "back" word in it, the safety is a defensive back player. In Canadian football, the safeties are known as "defensive halfback".
 * Linebacker, a member of the defensive team that is positioned approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage