Playing Fullback in Football, and What Makes a Great One

Over the years in the game of football, the position of fullback has morphed into several different positions. It used to be that a fullback only needed one major skill - blocking. In today's football world a fullback has to be a bit of a jack of all trades. Having only one skill set at the position is no longer good enough to earn you All-Pro status in the NFL. So what are the skills that makes a fullback among the best at their position?

Run Blocking - If you are going to be a great fullback, you simply have to be a great run blocker. This was the primary job of any fullback during the early days of the position, and not much has changed where this is concerned. Run blocking is still the primary job of a fullback. Generally, you will be responsible to block linebackers that are crashing into open holes on the line, and you have to be a fairly stout fullback to be successful at this. This is why fullbacks are traditionally low to the ground and fairly thick. This allows a fullback to get lower than the defensive player and drive them off the tackle.

Pass Blocking - While run blocking is the primary focus of most fullbacks, pass blocking is another important part of their game. Pass blocking is a whole lot different from run blocking, and it takes a very good football player to effectively ward off the pass rush. A fullback that is good at pass blocking will know how to chip block, as well as take on a pass rusher head on when necessary. Sometimes, a fullback will be a decoy as a pass blocker and slip out of the backfield for a pass, which brings us to our next skill set.

Catching the Football - If you want to be an All Pro fullback in the NFL, you had best be able to catch the football on occasion. Fullbacks are often used as a decoy to look as though they are blocking, and then they slip out for a pass instead. This can be highly effective if it is done correctly, and it is very similar to the way a tight end is used in the passing game. The big difference is that a fullback generally does not go out to any depth for a pass as a rule. They stick to short, ten yard passes or less as a rule.

Short Yardage Running - Any fullback worth their salt is going to be able to pick up that 2-3 yards that their team needs several times per game. While not every fullback runs the ball under normal circumstances, the vast majority of them are called upon to get those short yardage gains. Some of the best fullbacks of all time were masters of this such as Mike Alstott, Lorenzo Neal and Larry Csonka.

Fullbacks are not the mindless blockers that many people assume they are any longer. They are some of the best athletes on the team, and they have more than just one football skill set. With some dedication and practice, as well as genetic blessings, you can become a great fullback as well.

Source:

Personal experience from twenty years playing and coaching