The Role of the Running Back in Football
The fundamental purpose of the running game in football is to wear down your opponents and make them play on your terms. That means shortening the game by having fewer overall plays while trying to keep your opponent’s defense on the field for as long as possible. For years, the best teams relied on a great rushing attack and stout defenses.
There were 2 basic types of running backs. A bruising, big-boned player who could run through the middle of the defense and deflect the hits that came, or a smaller, faster running back, who could go outside and outrun defenders. Running backs were the superstars of the offense. As the game evolved, teams began to pass more and run the ball less. Instead of relying mostly on running the football for offense, coaches tried to have a balanced attack. That meant having about the same amount of running and passing plays each game. When this shift occurred, it became important for running backs to have good hands so they could catch passes. Today, quality running backs are versatile, strong, and fast. In professional football, they aren’t usually the center of the offense but are a vital component of it.
History of the Running Back
Football offenses were built around the running game in the early years. The first professional football game occurred in 1892, but the forward pass didn’t become legal until 1906. Before then, only laterals were allowed. For the first 80 years in the NFL, running backs were the stars. A quarterback didn’t finish with more than 1,000 yards passing until 1936 when Arnie Herber of the Packers threw for 1,239 yards. Quarterbacks and running backs were the glamorous positions. Teams would move the football primarily by handing the ball off to the running backs. In 1934, Beattie Feathers of the Bears became the first running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards. Feathers finished with 1,004 yards rushing, averaging 10.8 yards per carry. That means every time the ball was handed off to Feathers, he ran for more than 10 yards. After Feathers’ accomplishment, running for over 1,000 yards in a season and over 100 yards in a game became a benchmark. When the number of regular season games increased from 11 to 14, it was common for quality running backs to finish with more than 1,000 yards rushing. In 1982, Eric Dickerson of the Los Angels Rams rushed for a record 2,105 yards.
For many years, teams typically used 2 running backs: a fullback and halfback. The halfback typically received most of the carries while the fullback was often used as an extra blocker. Even after the forward pass became legal, teams would sometimes play a full game without throwing the ball once. As the benefits of the forward pass became clear and as quarterbacks became more skilled at throwing the ball, the passing game started to become a bigger part of a team’s offense. In the last 15 years, the passing game has dominated offenses in the NFL. Teams averaged 219 yards passing per game and 113 yards rushing per game in 2023. In high school football, most teams still build their offenses around running the football because it’s not easy to find a skilled quarterback who can pass all the time. Still, running backs serve a critical purpose in college and professional football. It’s difficult to be successful in the pros and college without being able to both pass and run the ball effectively.
Different Types of Running Formations & Running Backs
The term “featured back” is often used to describe the running back that gets most of the carries. The featured back is the best running back on the team. Often, coaches rotate in 2 or 3 running backs. If a team rushes the ball 30 times a game, the featured back might get 20 carries and the other backs would get 10 carries. Some teams might have 2 featured backs. That means both backs are equally good, and they split the carries. Today, the most effective running backs also double as wide receivers. Their main job is to run the football, but they will also be expected to run routes and catch passes out of the backfield. Below is a look at some of the different running formations and types of running backs:
Split Backfield: In the split backfield, there are 2 running backs who are positioned on either side of the quarterback. In a shotgun formation, where the quarterback is approximately 5 yards behind the center, the backs are roughly 5 yards away from the quarterback on either side.
Halfback: A halfback generally refers to the 1 or 2 backs that line up next to the quarterback in a split backfield. The advantage of a split backfield is the quarterback can hand the ball off to 2 good running backs, which makes it hard for the defense to focus on one player.
Fullback: The fullback is an extra back who’s typically bigger than a halfback but fast enough to carry the football occasionally. Their main job is to block for the featured back.
Single Set Back: In the NFL, the primary formation a team runs is single set back. That’s when there’s only 1 running back in the backfield. In a shotgun formation, the running back lines up on either side of the quarterback. If the quarterback lines up behind center, the single back is lined up behind the quarterback, about 5 yards back. The single back is usually the featured back. This alignment helps the running back see the defense when they set up because they stand up with their hands on their knees. In a split backfield, the runners usually line up with both hands on the ground.
The I Formation: In the I formation, the quarterback is always behind the center and the featured back is lined up behind a fullback. The backs are usually about 3 yards apart.
Essential Skills for a Running Back
Most teams have different running backs with different skill sets. Some running backs are short- yardage specialists. They’re typically bigger than your average running back. Their job is often to get a yard or 2 to try to make a first down. Some backs might be better receivers, so they’ll enter the game in passing situations. Others might be better blockers, so they’ll come in to block for the featured back. Below are some traits that all running backs should possess:
Ball Security: Running backs will get hit by the defense every time they carry the football. Defenses are taught to try to pop the football out of a runner’s hand, hoping to cause a fumble. Running backs must learn to wrap their arms around the ball at the point of contact.
Elusiveness: Running backs don’t need sprinter-level speed but they should have quick feet, and they need to be able to change directions when defenders rush at them.
Balance: Running backs should be able to keep moving forward after they’re hit.
Vision: Running backs need to react to the openings in the defense. They must see them right away and move through the lanes.
Durability: Running backs must be able to endure constant hits throughout a game. They’re expected to bounce up after each tackle and be ready to play.
A great running back can make a real difference for a football team’s offense. Versatility is the key to becoming a top-notch running back. It’s not enough to just be able to run the football. You must be able to block, catch passes, and read defenses.