A touchdown is the highest-scoring play in the game of football and can be accomplished by any player, regardless of position on the field during any given play. Although any player can score a touchdown, there are typically four offensive positions that account for a team’s touchdown production, including running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends. It’s not uncommon to see defensive players score touchdowns, as well.
Running Backs
A football team’s offensive unit typically has a fullback and a halfback, collectively referred to as running backs, whose primary task is to carry the ball closer to the opposing team’s goal line. On occasion, one of the running backs will break free of the defensive unit’s players and will advance the ball to the defense’s end zone, resulting in a touchdown. Running backs are also allowed to catch passes from the quarterback and advance the ball toward the opponent’s goal line after making the catch.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
Usually, a football team’s offense contains at least three wide receivers who are given the task of outmaneuvering defenders while attempting to get open for a pass from the quarterback. Wide receivers account for a big portion of a team’s touchdowns, especially if the team’s emphasis is on passing plays. A tight end is a cross between an offensive lineman and a wide receiver, giving the quarterback another passing option in addition to his three wide receivers. Tight ends are typically on the receiving end of short passes and also account for a notable percentage of a team’s touchdowns.
Quarterbacks
The quarterback is the player through whom a football team’s offensive efforts are focused. He is responsible for making sure a pass reaches its intended target, that the ball gets into the running back’s hands on running plays and, on occasion, for running the ball himself. Though wide receivers and tight ends are technically the players who score on passing plays, the quarterback is the one who initiates the score by getting the ball to where it needs to be. On rare occasions, a quarterback will score a touchdown on a short-yardage play that involves him running straight forward, behind the blocking of his offensive linemen, and into the end zone.
Defensive and Return Players
Touchdowns scored by defensive players commonly occur on fumble and interception returns. Interceptions that result in touchdowns are the most common type of scoring play for a defensive unit and are usually performed by defensive backs and linebackers. On occasion, a defensive lineman will score a touchdown as the result of an interception or fumble recovery during a quarterback sack. Kick returners will, on occasion, return punts and kickoffs for a touchdown.
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