• Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • Home
  • Learn Baseball
    • Basic Baseball Overview
    • Baseball Terms
    • Baseball Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Basketball
    • Basic Basketball Overview
    • Basketball Terms
    • Basketball Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Football
    • Basic Football Overview
    • Football Terms
    • Football Trivia & Questions
  • Learn Ice Hockey
    • Basic Ice Hockey Overview
    • Ice Hockey Terms
  • Learn Soccer
    • Basic Soccer Overview
    • Soccer Terms
  • BLOG
    • Shopping Guides
    • The Locker
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • NCAAB
    • NCAAF
    • College Sports
    • Soccer
    • MMA & Boxing
    • THE SCRAPS
    • GIMME!
  • More Sports Lingo
    • Learn Bowling
      • Basic Bowling Overview
      • Bowling Terms
    • Learn Golf
      • Basic Golf Overview
      • Golf Terms
    • Learn Tennis
      • Tennis Overview
      • Tennis Terms
    • Winter Olympics
      • Curling
      • Figure Skating
      • Downhill & Cross Country Skiing
      • Snowboarding
      • Bobsled
    • Archery
    • Billiards
    • Boxing
    • Cricket
    • Cycling & Biking
    • Disc Golf
    • Fencing
    • Field Hockey
    • Gymnastics
    • Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
    • Motorsports & Car Racing
    • Rowing
    • Rugby
    • Skateboarding
    • Sports Betting
    • Swimming
    • Table Tennis
    • Track & Field
    • Volleyball
    • Wrestling

A Place To Learn Sports. On And Off The Field.

You are here: Home / All The Lingo / Sports Terms That Begin With ‘H’ / Halfback

Halfback

half*back

What Is The Definition Of A Halfback In Football?

1. More familiarly known in modern use as a running back, a halfback plays offense in football and is the primary ball carrier. On running plays, they are the player that most often takes the ball from the quarterback. In the traditional football formation known as the I formation, the halfback lines up behind the fullback.

What Is A Halfback In Football? Definition & Meaning On SportsLingoHalfbacks can also be responsible for blocking on pass plays, including identifying and blocking a blitzing defensive player.

Why Is It Called A Halfback?

The root of the term halfback originally comes from rugby. The “half back” lined up halfway between the scrum (or scrummage, which would become the line of scrimmage in football) and the player farthest behind the scrum. This original positioning was transitioned to football. As football changed over time, the fullback moved in front of the halfback, yet the names for the positions stayed the same.

In modern football, there is essentially no difference between a halfback and a running back. They are simply different names for the same position. A running back can also be called a tailback.

Example Of Halfback Used In Commentary

1. Jerome Bettis did a great job on this play, hitting the hole with a full head of speed and running over defenders. That’s why “The Bus” is considered one of the best halfbacks in the league.

Sports The Term Is Used

1. Football
2. Rugby
3. Soccer

Also Known As:

1. Running back
2. Tailback

Join Our Community

From TheLocker

The Stone of Destiny: Great Britain's 2002 Olympic Curling Team

The Stone Of Destiny: Great Britain’s 2002 Olympic Curling Team

The Olympic Games are often defined by the feats achieved by the all-time greats. Whether it’s Jesse Owens in Berlin, Muhammed Ali in Rome, Mark Spitz … [Read More...]

Game Changer: How The Shot Clock Saved The NBA & Basketball

Game Changer: How The Shot Clock Saved The NBA & Basketball

Everyone has heard it: a mid-game buzzer that simultaneously causes cheering or disappointment, excitement or dread, depending on which team you're … [Read More...]

The Rise Of The Madden Football Phenomenon

The Rise Of The Madden Football Phenomenon

Just say the word "Madden" and football comes to mind. John Madden is a cultural icon, whether it's from his time as a Super Bowl-winning coach … [Read More...]

Browse Our Sports Dictionary For The Latest Sports Terms & Jargon

  • #
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | About Us | Contact Us
Copyright © 2022 · SportsLingo.com, a BrainBoost Media LLC. property.

Disclaimer: SportsLingo is an Amazon Associate and earns revenue from qualifying purchases.

In addition, SportsLingo may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from other affiliate networks.

Go to mobile version