Seven Positions On Special Football Teams

Most of the time, we see players from the offensive and defensive lines. These players are always present whenever a play is about to start. The offensive players and defensive players are the ones that make up the football team.

However, in football, we have this team called the special team. Actually, a special team in football is more like a unit and the players that belong to this unit are usually seen during kickoffs, free kicks, punts, extra point attempts as well as field goals.

The special team players are usually players that belong to a particular position. These players are often called into the field when a special situation arises like those previously mentioned.

1. Placekicker or kicker. This player is the one that kicks the ball through the goal posts in order to score some extra points. Other than scoring extra points, the place kicker is also responsible for field goals and kick offs. He is also the one that kicks the ball to the opposing team after a scoring possession or in order to start the game.

As not all teams use the place kicker for kick offs, in this case the placekicker only has to worry about scoring extra points and field goals. In the NFL, having a good and excellent placekicker is important because most NFL games are usually decided by last minute field goal attempts.

2. Punter. The punter is the player that kicks the ball towards the opposing team after receiving the snap from the scrimmage line. A punt takes place after an offensive team fails to keep the drive alive after four tries which is also known as the fourth down. The punter kicks the ball as far as possible towards the team in order to minimize the opposing team's field position. In the NFL, the placekicker or kicker also functions as the punter.

3. Long snapper. It has been known that that the center is the one responsible for the snap in order to start a play. In a special team, the long snapper is also played by the center; the only difference is the distance the snap has to cover.

The long snapper has to snap the ball to about 7-8 yards for field goal attempts and for punts 13-15 yards. When the long snapper snaps the ball, it has to be accurate enough in order for the punter or holder to receive it cleanly.

4. Holder. From the word itself it is already pretty obvious that this player functions by holding the ball for the placekicker or kicker. He is usually the player who catches the snap from the center. He then places the ball in a suitable position in order that the placekicker can try to kick it through the goal posts. The holder usually positions himself seven to eight yards away from the scrimmage line.

5. Gunner. This is another special team member that plays during kick offs and punts. The gunner has to be fast because it is his responsibility to be able to run across the field to tackle the punt returner and kick returner. The gunners are also known as the shooters and are usually lined up outside the offensive line.

6. Kick returner. This player is needed during kick-offs. During a kick-off, the returner has to catch the ball and attempt to return it to the opposite direction. In addition, when a kick returner catches the ball, he can run down the field and try for a touchdown. This position is usually reserved for the fastest players in the team.

7. Punt returner. The punt returner functions by catching the ball after it has been punted and immediately return it to the other end. When a punt is returned, the team can then try for a touchdown. Usually the player who functions as the kick returner can also be a punt returner but two different players can also be used for each position.