Running Back
Like the quaterback, running backs are often charismatic players who receive a lot of fan and media attention. On the field the back can line up in a number of places, usually dictated by the location of the quarterback. When the quarterback is directly under the center the back is usually several yards behind him. When the quarterback is back in a shotgun formation the back lines up on either side of him or behind him in what is called the pistol formation. The primary job of the running back is to take a handoff and run for yards, but in most offense the back must also block defenders or go out to catch passes.