Halfback (American football)

It has been suggested that this article be merged with Halfback (Canadian football). (Discuss) Proposed since March 2024.

A halfback (HB) is an offensive position in American football, whose duties involve lining up in the offensive backfield^[1] and carrying the ball on most rushing plays, i.e. a running back. When the principal ball carrier lines up deep in the backfield, and especially when that player is placed behind another player (usually a blocking back), as in the I formation, that player is instead referred to as a tailback (TB).^[2][3][4]

Sometimes the halfback can catch the ball from the backfield on short passing plays as they are an eligible receiver. Occasionally, they line up as additional wide receivers. When not running or catching the ball, the primary responsibility of a halfback is to aid the offensive linemen in blocking, either to protect the quarterback or another player carrying the football.

The term "halfback" has seen a decline in the 2010s with the advent of pass-oriented advanced and shotgun formations. Except for a small number of blocking specialists, it is usual to refer to this position as simply the running back.