What do halfbacks do

Normally when an offense gets inside the 5 yard line they send in their goal-line formation which usually includes eight blockers, a quarterback, a halfback, and a fullback.

The closer they are to the goal-line the more likely they are to use this formation. If a certain halfback is used often near the goal-line he is called the goal-line back. Short yardage and goal-line backs are usually larger power backs that are not prone to fumbling. Their job is to get the first down or touchdown by muscling through or pushing a large mass of players that are being blocked without dropping the ball. Players like John Kuhn , Thomas Jones , and Brandon Jacobs specialise in short-yardage situations, like 3rd and short.

A halfback might be called upon to return punts and kickoffs on special teams. Although this is most often done by wide receivers and defensive backs , such as cornerbacks because they are generally the fastest players on the team , some halfbacks have enough speed and talent to perform this role.

The NFL's current all time leading in kickoff return yards 14, yards and punt return yards 4, by a halfback is Brian Mitchell. He also gained 1, rushing yards, 2, receiving yards, and 15 fumble return yards, giving him a total of 23, all-purpose yards, the second most in NFL history behind Jerry Rice. On rare occasions, a halfback is asked to throw the ball when running an HB option.

This play is risky because most halfbacks are inexperienced passers, and so it is often run only by certain halfbacks more skilled at passing than most. The HB can also throw the ball while running a Direct Snap play where the Center snaps the ball to halfback directly. This has become particular in teams that use the "wildcat" formation, most prominently the Miami Dolphins , where RB Ronnie Brown would run, pass and receive out of this set.

American Football Database Explore. Recent blog posts Forum. Explore Wikis Community Central. Register Don't have an account? History Talk 0. This article is about an American football position. For other uses, see Half back disambiguation.

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