---
title: "Positions explained: where will my child play?"
description: "Quarterback, center, receiver, rusher, safety: a quick guide to the positions in our 6-on-6 game, and why kids move around."
canonical_url: "https://englewoodflagfootball.com/news/positions-explained-where-will-my-child-play/"
meta:
  "og:description": "Quarterback, center, receiver, rusher, safety: a quick guide to the positions in our 6-on-6 game, and why kids move around."
  "og:title": "Positions explained: where will my child play?"
---

[← All news](https://englewoodflagfootball.com/news/)

Guides

# Positions explained: where will my child play?

Quarterback, center, receiver, rusher, safety: a quick guide to the positions in our 6-on-6 game, and why kids move around.

Englewood NFL Flag Football·Sep 26, 2026

![A young center crouches over the ball, ready to snap, as a defender waits across the line under the stadium lights](https://englewoodflagfootball.com/.netlify/images?w=1440&h=810&fm=webp&q=70&url=%2Fuploads%2Fcenter-snap.jpg)

In flag football, there are no linemen. Every player on the field can be part of the action, and positions overlap a lot more than in tackle football. We play **6 on 6**, and every player gets a starting position on offense or defense.

## Offense

**Quarterback (QB).** Takes the snap and passes or hands off on every play. The quarterback has **7 seconds** to throw and can't run the ball unless the defense rushes and the rusher crosses the line of scrimmage. Good quarterbacks stay calm under pressure and communicate well.

**Center.** Snaps the ball between their legs to the quarterback, then becomes a receiver and runs a route. Every play starts with the center, so a clean snap matters.

**Running back.** Takes handoffs behind the line of scrimmage and runs, or catches passes. There are no pitches or laterals in our league, so every exchange is a direct handoff. A player who takes a handoff can also throw from behind the line.

**Receivers.** Run routes to get open and catch passes. Every player on offense is an eligible receiver, including the quarterback after a handoff.

## Defense

**Rusher.** Starts at least **7 yards** from the line of scrimmage and chases the quarterback after the snap, trying to pull the quarterback's flag for a sack or block the pass. In our league, any number of defenders can rush. In the 7U Division, defenders can't rush unless there's a handoff in the backfield.

**Defensive backs (cornerbacks).** Cover receivers, defend passes, and pull flags after a catch.

**Safety.** Plays deepest in coverage and is the last line of defense, stopping anyone who gets loose.

## Why kids move around

At this age, playing several positions helps kids learn the whole game and find what they enjoy. Fast players might shine as receivers, steady throwers at quarterback, and kids who read the field well at safety. There's no "right" body type for flag football. Speed, agility and hustle matter far more than size.

Our rule is that **everyone plays and everyone sits**, and coaches make sure each player gets real time on the field.

Want to go deeper? NFL FLAG has a [detailed positions guide](https://nflflag.com/flag-football-rules/football-positions). It's written for 5 on 5, but the roles are the same.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.