Position (Special Teams)

The special teams units that are involved in kickoff, punt, and field goal plays comprise the third "phase" of the game. The squad's kicker and punter are extremely skilled at kicking for length, height, and/or accuracy, which no other players on the team are usually able to do. Punt and kickoff return units use a swift player referred to as a return man to take the ball back as far as he can and negate some punt or kick yards. All other players on a special team will block, tackle, or halt ball movement depending on exactly what team it is and where the ball is at the moment. 

The special teams comprise of:-

Gunner

Gunner is the members of the special teams who specialize in racing downfield to tackle the kick or punt returner. The gunners usually line up on the outside of the offensive line and are often double teamed by blockers. 

Holder

Holder is the player who catches the snap from the center and places it down for the placekicker to attempt to kick it through the uprights of the goalpost. On an attempted field goal, the holder must catch the ball and put it into a good kicking position, ideally with the laces facing away from the kicker. 

Kick Returner

A kick returner job is to catch kickoffs and try to get as far down the field as possible. He is usually one of the faster players on the team, often a reserve wide receiver. 

Long Snapper

The center position as it would be played on offense, but this player specializes in making longer snaps for punts and field goal attempts. A long-snapper generally has to snap the ball seven-to-eight yards behind him for field goal attempts and 13 to 15 yards for punts with the accuracy that allows the holder or punter to handle the ball cleanly. 

Placekicker

Placekicker is the player who kicks the ball on kickoffs, field goal attempts, and extra point attempts. A placekicker either kicks the ball while it's being held by a teammate or kicks it off a tee. 

Punter

Punter is a player who stands behind the line of scrimmage, catches the long snap from the center, and then kicks the ball after dropping it toward his foot. The punter generally comes in on fourth down to drop kicks the ball in a punt play to get the defending team away from their inzone.

Punt Returner

Punt returner job is to catch the ball after it has been punted and run it back toward the punting team's end zone.