What Position Should I Play in Football? A Player’s Guide to Finding Your Fit
There are multiple variables to consider when you’re selecting what position to play in football. Size, speed, and strength are among the top traits that factor into your place on the team. Very few players get to choose their position. Coaches will help you find the right fit. Sometimes, the team needs will dictate your position. If you're a great athlete, it’s possible that you could play multiple positions. Below is a guide to help you understand what position could fit you best.
Your Position-Fit Game Plan
When you start playing at an early age, it’s possible you begin at a different position than what you grow into. For instance, an eight-year-old running back might develop into a linebacker by the time they get to high school. Why? Because size plays a big factor in what position fits you best. A smaller eight-year-old, who was fast and quick, could turn into a bigger 16-year-old, who is strong and had good linebacker speed but not great running back speed. Below are some traits to consider when you’re looking for your position.
Body Type: Are you big for your age? There’s a good chance you could be slotted as an offensive or defensive lineman. These players must block and tackle at the line of scrimmage against players who will also be big and strong. Their ability to withstand physical play is critical to a team’s success.
Height: Every position in the National Football League (NFL) has an ideal size. For instance, the preferred height is 6’2” or taller for a quarterback because they need to be able to see above their linemen to get a clear view of the field. It doesn’t mean a QB can’t be shorter than 6’2” to be successful but most NFL quarterbacks are at least 6’2.”
Strength: How strong are you? The strongest players will likely play on the offensive or defensive line. They have the most strenuous physical demands of the position players. Players need to be strong at every position, but different kinds of strength are more suited to different positions. A running back must have great lower body strength to help them plow through defenders, while a quarterback needs to have strong hands to grip a football properly and throw it.
Speed: There are certain positions that don’t require great speed, but some do. Wide receiver and cornerback are places where the players are among the fastest on the team. A combination of speed and quickness is ideal for a wide receiver. Often, a wide receiver is the fastest player on the squad, but they can also be effective if they’re shifty and elusive.
Arm Strength: Arm strength applies specifically to the quarterback position. You must be able to throw the football a long way. The quarterback on every football team should be able to toss the football the farthest. How far can an NFL quarterback throw a football? The longest documented pass in an NFL game traveled 76 yards in the air. NFL quarterbacks should be able to pass the ball at least 60 yards.
Leg Strength: In football, leg strength typically refers to punters and field goal kickers. Both positions require powerful, flexible legs that they can use to propel the football in the air. Some NFL kickers can make field goals from beyond 60 yards.
Key Traits for Specific Positions
Many of your football attributes can be improved. For instance, you can get stronger and bigger by lifting weights and you can combine strength and power training to get faster. However, there typically are limits to how strong you can get or how much you can improve your time in a 40-yard dash. Coaches at every level of play will help slot you into a position or positions. It’s possible that an offensive lineman could play guard and center or that a running back could convert to the wide receiver position. Some players have skills that are useful for more than one position. Below is a chart that explains some critical components for every football position.
Position Group | Physical Skills | Intangible Skills | Position Skills |
Quarterback | Arm strength and pocket quickness. | Leadership and communication skills. | Throwing accuracy, pocket presence, quick decision-making ability. |
Wide Receiver | Speed and quickness. | Understanding defenses and discipline. | Good hands and running routes with precision. |
Offensive Line | Size, strength, and lateral mobility. | Mental toughness and persistence. | Footwork, run and pass, blocking and using your hands. |
Running Back | Speed, elusiveness, and power. | Vision and football intelligence. | Footwork, pass receiving, and blocking. |
Linebacker | Strength and mobility. | Communication and understanding offenses. | Lateral speed, tackling, and pass coverage skills. |
Defensive Line | Strength, quickness, and size. | Anticipating offensive plays and toughness. | Pass rushing and plugging holes on running plays. |
Defensive Backs | Speed, quickness, and jumping ability. | Anticipating pass routes and reading receivers. | Covering receivers, sure hands, and back pedaling. |
Kickers | Leg strength. | Composure under pressure. | Footwork and accuracy. |
Match Traits to Roles
Young players will often start by playing multiple positions. It’s a good way for coaches and players to find the right fit. Coaches can’t always figure out a spot for a player in practice. They often must see how a player performs at a position in game conditions. In high school and middle school, it’s common for players to play a position on offense and defense. It rarely ever happens in college and the NFL. At that level, players need to have rest during the games to keep their strength up. Below are some positions that are often grouped together for two-way players.
Offensive and Defensive Line: Linemen on both sides of the ball require great strength and excellent footwork. It’s a comfortable transition for players to move to the other side of the line since they are playing across from each other in games.
Wide Receivers/Defensive Backs: The skill sets for these positions are virtually identical. They require good hands, excellent speed, and quickness.
Running Backs/Linebackers: Linebackers or big safeties are the closest position group to running backs. They all require power and speed.
Tight End/Defensive End: A tight end plays the outside position on the offensive line, often lining up against a defensive end. Defensive ends are typically the fastest players on the defensive line. Ends need the speed to rush the quarterback. The weight and height of tight ends and defensive ends are often similar.
When players attend college on a football scholarship, they’re usually asked to specialize in a position. A team, depending on its needs, could ask an offensive lineman to play on the defensive line if they feel like it’s the best fit for their scheme. When players begin to specialize, they’ll focus on the techniques and skills that will help them improve in their position. Sometimes, teams will line up gifted players at different positions to confuse the offense or defense. It’s not unusual for a running back to line up at wide receiver for a few plays or for a defensive lineman to stand up and play the linebacker position in certain situations.
Finding the right football position is a process when you’re younger that’s always evolving. As you dive deeper into the game, you’ll be able to specialize in the position that suits you best, which will help you refine your skills.