by Let’s be honest. Most football fans get hyped about quarterbacks throwing bombs or running backs breaking tackles.
Defense gets some love, too, especially when there’s a big sack or interception.
But special teams? That’s where people grab snacks or check their phones.
Here’s the thing, though—ignoring special teams is a mistake.
Games are won and lost on blocked punts, missed field goals, and explosive kick returns.
Special teams positions in American football might not get the headlines, but they absolutely change outcomes.
Special Teams Positions in American Football
If you’ve ever watched a game flip on a single play – a surprise onside kick, a punt return touchdown, or a game-winning field goal—you’ve seen special teams magic.
These players deserve way more credit than they get.
Quick Reference: Special Teams Positions at a Glance
| Position | Primary Role | Key Skills Required |
|---|---|---|
| Kicker (K) | Field goals & extra points | Accuracy, leg strength, mental toughness |
| Punter (P) | Punt on 4th down | Hang time, distance, directional control |
| Long Snapper (LS) | Snap ball to kicker/punter | Precision, consistency, quick release |
| Kick Returner (KR) | Return kickoffs | Speed, vision, ball security |
| Punt Returner (PR) | Return punts | Hands, decision-making, elusiveness |
| Gunner | Tackle punt returner | Speed, tackling, release moves |
| Jammer | Block opposing gunners | Physicality, hand technique, awareness |
| Upback | Punt protection & backup | Versatility, awareness, and blocking |
| Protector | Shield punter from rushers | Blocking, quick reactions, toughness |
Overview of Special Teams
So what exactly are special teams?
In simple terms, special teams are the units that take the field during kicking plays.
That includes kickoffs, punts, field goal attempts, and extra points. It’s the “third phase” of football, separate from offense and defense.
While offensive positions in football focus on moving the ball and scoring touchdowns, and defense tries to stop them, special teams handle the transitions.
They change field position, score points through field goals, and occasionally create game-breaking plays.
Every NFL roster has 53 players. Not everyone can play offense or defense, so most players contribute on special teams.
Even star players sometimes run down on kickoff coverage early in their careers.
Special teams might only be on the field for a handful of plays per game, but those plays matter. A lot.
Breaking Down Each Special Teams Position
Let me walk you through the key roles. I’ll keep it simple and explain what each position actually does.
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Kicker
The kicker is probably the most recognized special teams player. This is the guy attempting field goals and extra points after touchdowns.
Kickers need incredible leg strength and accuracy. They also need ice in their veins. Imagine 70,000 fans screaming while you try to nail a 50-yard field goal to win the game. That’s pressure.
Kickers don’t usually do much else. They kick, and that’s pretty much it. But when they’re good, they’re worth their weight in gold.
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Punter
The punter kicks the ball away on fourth down when the offense doesn’t want to go for it or attempt a field goal.
A great punter can flip field position by launching high, booming punts that pin opponents deep in their own territory. Punters aim for hang time (how long the ball stays in the air) and distance.
Some punters can also hold the ball for field goal attempts, which requires good hands and timing.
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Long Snapper
This might be the most underappreciated position in all of football. The long snapper hikes the ball back to the punter or holder on kicks.
It sounds simple, but it’s not. The snap has to be fast, accurate, and spiral perfectly into the punter’s or holder’s hands. One bad snap can ruin a field goal attempt or give up a blocked punt.
Long snappers are specialists. They practice thousands of snaps to get it perfect every single time.
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Kick Returner
The kick returner catches kickoffs and tries to return them as far upfield as possible.
This position requires speed, vision, and guts. You’re catching a ball while 11 guys sprint at you full speed. Then you have to find a lane and make defenders miss.
Great kick returners can change games. Think Devin Hester or Cordarrelle Patterson taking it to the house.
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Punt Returner
Similar to the kick returner, but catching punts is trickier. The ball comes down at a steep angle, often wobbling. Returners have to track it, catch it cleanly, and then try to gain yards.
Punt returners also need good decision-making. Sometimes the smart play is calling for a fair catch instead of risking a fumble.
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Gunner
The gunner is a coverage specialist on punt plays. Their job? Sprint downfield as fast as possible and tackle the punt returner.
Gunners line up wide, usually on the outside. They have to beat “jammers” (we’ll get to those) and race to the ball. It’s a collision-heavy role that requires speed and toughness.
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Jammer
Jammers do the opposite of gunners. They try to slow down or block the opposing team’s gunners to give their punt returner more time and space.
This is basically hand-to-hand combat at the line of scrimmage. Jammers use physicality and technique to disrupt the gunner’s route downfield.
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Upback
The upback lines up a few yards behind the line of scrimmage on punts. They serve as a safety net in case of a bad snap and help with protection against rushers.
If the snap goes wild, the upback tries to recover it. They also communicate with the punter and help read the defense.
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Protector
The protector is essentially the last line of defense for the punter. They stay back to block any defender who breaks through the line.
This role requires quick reactions and a solid blocking technique. One missed block can result in a punt getting blocked, which often leads to terrible field position or even a touchdown for the other team.
Reference Diagrams & Playbooks
If you want to really understand how all these positions work together, a special teams positions diagram can help a lot.
Visual learners especially benefit from seeing where each player lines up and what their responsibilities are.
Coaches use these diagrams constantly. If you’re coaching youth football or just want to dive deeper into strategy, you can find resources like a football special teams playbook PDF online.
These break down formations, coverage schemes, and return strategies in detail.
Diagrams show you stuff like how gunners align wide on punts, where the upback positions himself, and how kick return blockers set up lanes.
Once you see it visually, the chaos of special teams starts making sense.
Strategic Importance
Here’s why special teams actually matter more than most fans realize.
Field position is huge in football. Starting a drive at your own 10-yard line versus the 40-yard line is a massive difference.
A great punter can consistently pin opponents deep, forcing them to drive 80+ yards instead of 50.
Momentum swings happen on special teams, too. A blocked field goal or a fumbled punt can completely change the energy of a game.
Suddenly, the crowd erupts, players get fired up, and the whole vibe shifts.
When people talk about the best special teams positions in American football, they usually mention returner and kicker.
But honestly, every role matters. One missed block, one bad snap, one poor tackle—any of these can be the difference between winning and losing.
Statistics back this up. Teams that dominate special teams tend to win more games. It’s not flashy, but it’s effective.
Tie Into Full Football Team Structure
So how does all this fit into the bigger picture?
When people ask what are the 11 positions in football, they’re usually talking about the offensive or defensive starters.
Offense has the quarterback, running backs, receivers, linemen, and tight ends. Defense has linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.
But what are the 22 positions in football when you count both sides? You get the 11 offensive starters and 11 defensive starters.
Special teams don’t fit neatly into that structure because they’re separate units. But here’s the thing: many special teams players also play offense or defense.
A backup safety might be a core special teamer on kickoff coverage. A third-string wide receiver might be a gunner.
When you look at all positions in American football across the entire roster, special teams roles become crucial for roster construction.
Teams need versatile players who can contribute in multiple phases.
Some guys make their entire career on special teams.
Matthew Slater of the Patriots was primarily a special teams ace for years and made multiple Pro Bowls doing it.
Conclusion:
Special teams positions in American football deserve way more respect than they get.
These aren’t just “the kicking plays.” They are opportunities to change field position, score points, shift momentum, and sometimes win games outright.
Next time you watch a game, pay attention when the special teams unit jogs onto the field. Watch the gunners battle jammers.
Notice how the returner sets up his blocks. Appreciate the long snapper delivering a perfect snap under pressure.
Football is a three-phase game: offense, defense, and special teams. Ignore one phase, and you’re missing a huge part of what makes this sport great.
The best teams dominate all three. And honestly? Special teams might be the easiest place for underdogs to gain an edge.
