Skill position

Skill positions in gridiron football are the positions that are most directly responsible for causing or preventing points from being scored. The skill positions are:

• Quarterback
• Running back, particularly halfback
• Wide receiver
• Cornerback
• Safety
• Return specialist
• Less commonly: punter, kicker, linebacker, defensive end, fullback, tight end, long snapper

Skill positions are often contrasted with linemen – players who line up along the line of scrimmage. Skill position players are generally smaller than linemen, but they must also be faster and have other talents (such as the ability to throw or catch the ball, cover an opposing receiver, or to dodge opponents) that rely more on finesse than on raw strength. Positions that are not considered "skill positions" would include nose tackles, defensive tackles, offensive linemen.