Glossary: Running Back

Here at The Long Snapper, we know that a lot of the terminology in American Football is gobbledygook. Heck, plenty of it still confounds us sometimes, and our opinion of what we know is high enough that we started a blog! So, we’re here to help you out. These glossary articles are where you’ll find descriptions of various terms, with examples, and pieces talking through different aspects of the game. Let’s talk through another position:

RB, or Running Back

(May also be known as “HB”, meaning “Half Back”)

Simple: The quarterback gives them the ball and they run. Remember Forrest Gump? Yeah, like that. They stand behind (or to the side of) the quarterback, and he gives them the ball. Sometimes, they run out wide from there and the quarterback throws them a pass, but that’s all there is to it, right?

Detailed: Er, wrong. The truth is that though running back might be one of the ‘simpler’ positions to play in American Football, everything in the sport is more complex than it looks, and there isn’t a much better example for that than for the running back.

But let’s start with the most obvious element: running with the football. When a play is called by the quarterback, the running back’s going to be told, essentially, where to run. This is generally because the way the offensive line is going to move is designed to make a nice big hole for him to run through, and gain all of the yards and touchdowns in the world. Should the blocking be successful, the running back then has to use a couple of his attributes to make the most of the play: his balance and speed. His balance will come into play because even the best blocking cannot stop someone on the defense getting some destabilising body part on the hurtling runner. A strong runner with good balance will be able to stay on his feet and keep going. This is where the mythical “yards after contact” statistic comes in. If a runner is strong as well as having balance, he can essentially run through would-be tacklers. The speed part, then, is obvious, because that gives tacklers near the less of scrimmage less change to get to him, and give him the chance to run away from tackles further back – generally safeties and errant linebackers.

But what if the blocking doesn’t quite go as planned? Well, then it’s a case of the running back using his vision to make the most of what’s left. If he looks around and sees no way out, the best bet is just to get as far forward as possible, dust himself down and realise that not every play can result in a 99-yard touchdown run. However, there may be opportunities elsewhere. The runner might have noticed a distinct lack of defenders on the outside, and may be able to scurry around there. Or there may be a different hole in the middle he can run through. All this will happen in a split-second – you’ve seen how fast NFL plays go down, especially running plays.

So, if the runner runs, that’s what they do. They’re also important in the passing game, in two ways. Say you want a quick, safe pass. Well, a running back running a route is often one – they’ve got a chance to avoid being covered. You can run them out wide, or around the stramash in the centre of the pitch, and hopefully they can catch the ball. Of course, none of you will be surprised to learn that some running backs seem to have hands made entirely of morningstars, thus making catching a football…challenging.

Fortunately, we have another use for running backs in the passing game! As a blocker. This may sound a bit mean – putting a five foot nine, powerful but compact guy up against a six-six bruiser – but you’d be surprised. A running back blocking an onrushing outside linebacker or blitzing safety can give a quarterback that little bit of extra time to throw the ball, to give his wide receivers a little more chance to get separation, and that can make all the difference. They’re generally not able to stop the very best, particularly if it’s a skilled pass rusher spinning past them, or powering them back towards the quarterback, but any way they can help, particularly on third down, is incredibly valuable. Being a decent ball-catcher and good pass-blocker is often why teams bring in a different running back on third down – it gives them more chance in the passing game while still giving the threat that the team can run the ball, and that kind of uncertainty is vital in giving yourself a little edge over the defense.

So, to be a running back, you need to:

• Run, Forrest, Run! That way!
• Notice that way looks like a bad idea, and in a split-second find a better route.
• Catch the ball sometimes.
• Block dudes nine inches and ninety pounds heavier than you, as they charge at you.