How to Play Fullback in American Football

No position in American football has undergone as much change in the last 30 years as the fullback spot. Once upon a time, the fullback was a leading ball carrier, the go-to guy in short yardage situations. He was the guy who scored touchdowns inside the 10-yard line. Today, the fullback has become a sixth lineman. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Learn to block. The fullback today is used mostly to provide lead blocking for the halfback and for extra pass blocking. Fullbacks need to be able to block on the run on an end sweep, pick up blitzing linebackers in pass blocking, and block out the linebacker for the halfback on an off-tackle play.
2. Become a specialist. Fullbacks are no longer an every-down player. With most offenses employing either an extra tight end, or an extra receiver, the fullback may only be in on every third or fourth play. As such, the fullback is now seen as a "specialist" player who must be ready when called upon.
3. Run like a bulldozer. On the rare occasion when the offense does call the fullback's number to run the ball, it's typically in a short yardage situation with extra defenders stacked at the line. This is hard-nosed football. Be able to push the ball forward for a 1- or 2-yard gain with 10 defenders stacked on the ball.
4. Develop soft hands to go with that hard nose. In today's complex offenses, the fullback must be able to catch the ball on any play when he's on the field. As a pass blocker, he may be called upon as a safety valve in case the quarterback can't find an open receiver. Or, he can be the sneaky option of a screen pass play, when nobody is expecting the ball to go to the fullback.