Running Back Position in Football: Role, Skills & Types Explained

The running back (RB) is the offensive skill player who lines up behind the quarterback to run the ball on handoffs, catch passes out of the backfield, and block for the passer. It’s one of the most physically demanding jobs in football, splitting into two related roles — halfback and fullback — that together make up the backfield. For a full breakdown of how running backs fit alongside every other position, see our guide to football positions explained, and for the passing-game counterpart, check out the quarterback position in football.

What Does a Running Back Do?

On any given play, a running back has three possible jobs, and the best ones can do all three well.

• Run the ball. The quarterback hands off or pitches the ball to the running back, who reads his offensive line’s blocks, finds a gap, and tries to gain positive yardage.
• Catch passes. Running backs release out of the backfield on check-downs, screen passes, and route combinations, functioning as a fourth or fifth receiving option.
• Pass-block. When the quarterback drops back to throw, the running back often stays in to block, picking up blitzing linebackers or defensive backs the offensive line can’t reach.

Because the role touches every phase of the offense, running back is one of the sport’s most complete positions — see how it connects to the rest of the unit in our football offensive positions explained guide.

Why Is It Called “Running Back”?

The name is straightforward: the player runs the ball from a position “back” off the line of scrimmage, unlike linemen who play directly on it. Older football terminology grouped these backfield players under names like halfback, tailback, and wingback depending on where they lined up relative to the quarterback and line.

Halfback vs. Fullback: Roles Compared

The two primary types of running back split responsibilities by size, alignment, and job description.

Attribute	Halfback (Tailback)	Fullback
Primary job	Carry the ball, main ball carrier	Lead-block, clear running lanes
Typical alignment	Deeper, often 6-7 yards behind QB	Closer to the line, ahead of the halfback
Body type	Leaner, built for speed and cuts	Bigger, built for contact and blocking
Carries per game	High (primary rusher)	Low (occasional short-yardage runs)
Receiving role	Screens, check-downs, routes	Safety-valve passes, limited routes
Modern usage	Every offense features one	Increasingly rare; many teams run without a true fullback

A halfback is usually the team’s featured back — the player fans think of when they picture a “running back.” A fullback lines up ahead of him in the backfield and blocks first, seldom touching the ball himself in most modern NFL and college schemes.

Skills and Physical Traits of a Great Running Back

Running back requires a specific blend of athleticism and instinct:

• Vision — the ability to read blocks pre-snap and in real time, identifying the cutback lane before it fully opens.
• Elusiveness and agility — quick, sharp cuts that make defenders miss in the open field.
• Contact balance — staying on his feet through arm tackles and glancing hits.
• Speed — the burst to turn a small crease into a long touchdown run.
• Hands — reliable catching ability, since drops out of the backfield kill drives.
• Pass-protection technique — picking up a blitzing linebacker without giving up a sack is often the hardest skill for young backs to learn.

Most NFL running backs stand between 5’9” and 6’2” and weigh 190-235 pounds, prioritizing an athletic, compact build over pure size.

The Modern Pass-Catching, Committee Back

Today’s NFL offenses increasingly build around backs who function as receivers, not just runners. Spread formations and run-pass-option (RPO) concepts reward a running back who can line up in the slot, run a route, and stay on the field on third down instead of being substituted out for a passing-down specialist.

This has pushed most teams toward a running back committee: a power back for short yardage, a speed back for outside runs, and a pass-catching specialist for third downs, splitting the workload instead of feeding one player 300-plus touches. The rare “three-down back” who can do everything — rush, catch, and block — remains one of the most valuable non-quarterback assets in football because he lets a coordinator keep his personnel and play-calling unpredictable.

Famous Running Backs to Know

A short list of names that define the position’s history and its modern evolution:

• Jim Brown — widely regarded as the greatest pure runner ever, dominant in the 1950s-60s.
• Walter Payton — over 16,000 career rushing yards, a model of durability and all-around ability.
• Barry Sanders — led the league in rushing four times despite standing just 5’8”, famous for elite elusiveness.
• Emmitt Smith — the NFL’s all-time leading rusher and a four-time Super Bowl champion.
• LaDainian Tomlinson — one of the best three-down backs ever, combining elite rushing with dangerous receiving skills.

Understanding running back is also easier in context — the halfback, fullback, quarterback, and offensive line all work together, which is why it helps to study the full American football NFL picture rather than one position in isolation.

Bottom Line

The running back position is the offense’s do-everything backfield role: run the ball, catch it, and block for the quarterback when needed. Halfbacks carry the load as primary rushers while fullbacks clear the way as lead blockers, and the modern game increasingly rewards versatile, pass-catching backs who can stay on the field on every down.