Fullback

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Most football games include a position called fullback or full back.

1 American football
- 1.1 Well-known American football fullbacks
2 Criticism of position
- 2.1 See also
3 Football
4 Rugby (union and league)
5 Australian rules football

[edit] American football

In American football, a fullback is the name of a position in the offensive backfield. Traditionally, the duties of a fullback are split between power running and blocking for both the quarterback and other running backs.

Many of the great runners of the history of American football have been fullbacks, notably Jim Brown, but in recent years the position has evolved to be more a blocker than a runner, with occasional pass-catching duties. The remaining prominent fullbacks in the NFL are typically employed for breaking through tight defensive alignments, often in short-yardage situations. As a result, fullbacks are typically less known for speed and agility than for muscularity and the ability to avoid being tackled by knocking down defenders.

[edit] Well-known American football fullbacks

[edit] Criticism of position

The position gets a lot of criticism by fans and experts beacsue they are often an extra running back or another blocker. Most of the time detractors want the fullback to touch the ball more is the reason for crticism. Many of the time certain run a special play designed for the fullback or H-Back formation which was popularized by Joe Gibbs.

[edit] See also

Offense: center · fullback · Guard · H-back · offensive line · quarterback · running back · tailback · tight end · Wide receiver
Defense: Cornerback · defensive line · defensive back · linebacker
Special teams: Gunner · punter · placekicker · long snapper

[edit] Football

Main article: Defender (football)#Fullback

In association football (soccer), a fullback is a defender playing in a wide position. Their main task is to prevent opposition players crossing or cutting the ball back into the penalty area. Most full backs are also expected to provide an attacking dimension by getting upfield along the wings and providing crosses.

[edit] Rugby (union and league)

In rugby, both union and league codes, teams usually play with a single full back. In addition to being the last line of defence against running attacks by the opposing three-quarter backs, the full back is sometimes the specialist goal-kicker in a team, taking penalty and conversion kicks.

[edit] Australian rules football

In Australian rules football, the fullback position has traditionally been a purely defensive role, with the aim of preventing the full-forward from marking the ball and scoring. However, in recent times, where the ability to move the ball out of defense and down the field quickly has become a more important tactic, the fullback often starts a chain of passes up the ground. The defensive aspect of the position remains important, with the ability to accelerate and change direction quickly. Spoiling the ball is also of utmost importance. The fullback often kicks the ball back into play after a point has been scored, although some teams prefer a midfielder for this role, freeing the (typically taller) fullback player to attempt to mark the kick in. Often fullbacks are capable of long clearing kicks out of defense. Full backs may be male but not always. Animals also can play in fullback esp. Cats and Sparrows. Examples of full-backs include

Positions on an Australian rules football field
B:	back pocket	fullback	back pocket
HB:	half-back flank	centre half-back	half-back flank
C:	wing	centre	wing
HF:	half-forward flank	centre half-forward	half-forward flank
F:	forward pocket	full-forward	forward pocket
Foll:	ruckman	ruck rover	rover
Int:	Interchange bench	Interchange bench	Interchange bench
	Interchange bench
Coach:	coach