Skill positions in gridiron football are the offensive positions that ordinarily handle the ball and are most responsible for scoring points. Offensive players such as quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers are typically considered skill positions,[1][2][3] as are tight ends on occasion.[4]
Skill positions are contrasted with linemen and defensive players, which are generally considered to be positions heavily reliant on power and brute strength.[5] Skill position players are often physically smaller than linemen, but they must also be faster and have other talents; such as the ability to throw accurately, handle or catch the ball under pressure, avoid tacklers, or read and exploit defensive weaknesses; which are less of a priority for linemen.
- ^ "Definition of skill position in English by Oxford Dictionaries". oxforddictionaries.com. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Savage, Jeff (2004). Play-By-Play Football. Lerner Publications. p. 39. ISBN 0822514494. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Kedia, Ben L.; Jain, Subhash C. (2013). Restoring America's Global Competitiveness through Innovation. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 348. ISBN 978-1781005958. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ Arthur, Kenneth (August 5, 2014). "Hands That Feed: The NFL's Best Skill Position Players". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
- ^ "Non-Skill Position TD Scorers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 11, 2017.