Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Running back
A running back, halfback or "tailback" is the position of a player on an American football team who lines up in the offensive backfield. Depending on the offensive formation, the halfback may be joined in the backfield by other backs, most commonly a fullback.
The halfback is responsible for carrying the ball on the majority of running plays and is used frequently as a receiver on short passing plays. Occasionally, running backs act as additional wide receivers. When not serving either of these functions, the primary responsibility of a halfback is to block, either to protect the quarterback or another player carrying the football.
A fullback carries the ball only infrequently. On most running plays, the fullback leads the halfback, attempting to block potential tacklers. Fullbacks are sometimes used in passing plays, although they typically protect the quarterback. Fullbacks are also technically running backs, but today the term is usually used in referring to the halfback or tailback. Though fullbacks are rarely used as ball carriers in modern football, there was once a time when they ran the ball as frequently as running backs.
The halfback position is one of the more glamorous positions on the field. A good running back is commonly viewed as a requirement for a team's success. Due to the infrequency with which a fullback carries the ball, the fullback position is less glamorous, if possibly of equal importance. Whereas in previous years the fullback lined up on the field for almost every offensive play, teams often opt to replace the fullback with an additional wide receiver or a tight end in modern football.
There is a great diversity in the types of football players that play the running back position. On one extreme are smaller and agile players. One such example is Warrick Dunn, who stands at only 5'8 and weighs 185 lbs, a relatively small size for a football player. These types of running backs are often referred to as "speed backs" because they rely on speed and agility to evade defenders and gain yards. At the other extreme are bigger, stronger running backs such as Jerome Bettis, who weighs almost 260 lbs. These kinds of running backs are referred to as "power backs" because they rely on their strength and size to "truck through" defenders.
The following running backs, halfbacks, and fullbacks are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
- Marcus Allen (RB)
- Cliff Battles (HB)
- Jim Brown (FB)
- Earl Campbell (RB)
- Tony Canadeo (HB)
- Larry Csonka (FB)
- Eric Dickerson (RB)
- Tony Dorsett (RB)
- Bill Dudley (HB)
- Frank Gifford (HB-FL)
- Harold (Red) Grange (HB)
- Joe Guyon (HB)
- Franco Harris (RB)
- Clarke Hinkle (FB)
- Paul Hornung (HB)
- John Henry Johnson (FB)
- Leroy Kelly (RB)
- Earl (Curly) Lambeau (HB)
- Alphonse (Tuffy) Leemans (HB-FB)
- Ollie Matson (HB)
- George McAfee (HB)
- Hugh McElhenny (HB)
- John "Blood" McNally (HB)
- Lenny Moore (HB)
- Marion Motley (FB)
- Bronko Nagurski (FB)
- Ernie Nevers (FB)
- Walter Payton (RB)
- Joe Perry (FB)
- John Riggins (RB)
- Barry Sanders (RB)
- Gale Sayers (HB)
- O. J. Simpson (RB)
- Ken Strong (HB)
- Jim Taylor (FB)
- Jim Thorpe (HB)
- Charley Trippi (HB)
- Steve Van Buren (HB)
- Doak Walker (HB)
Current Running Backs
- Shaun Alexander - Seattle Seahawks
- Jerome Bettis - Pittsburgh Steelers
- Reuben Droughns - Denver Broncos
- T.J. Duckett - Atlanta Falcons
- Warrick Dunn - Atlanta Falcons
- Corey Dillon - New England Patriots
- Marshall Faulk - St. Louis Rams
- Nick Goings - Carolina Panthers
- Priest Holmes - Kansas City Chiefs
- Edgerrin James - Indianapolis Colts
- Jamal Lewis - Baltimore Ravens
- Curtis Martin - New York Jets
- Marcel Shipp - Arizona Cardinals
Retired Running Backs (not yet eligible for Hall of Fame)
External links
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