Football is an ultimate team sport, each position having a different role and task. When it comes to difficulty, there are different forms of difficulty. Physical toughness and mental toughness are the two tasks that make football a difficult sport.
Each position has a different level of mental and physical requirements. We will discuss a variety of football positions and the level of difficulty in both the mental aspect and the physical aspect.
What is the Toughest Position in Football?
The toughest position both mentally and physically is offensive line. The offensive line is demanding in that the mental part is difficult, but also extremely demanding physically. Offensive linemen are usually the toughest players on the field.
We will discuss why the offensive line is the toughest position, and why offensive linemen should receive most of the credit for offensive success.
We will also discuss different positions and how the rank goes as far as difficulty. Here is the list from most difficult to not as difficult:
1 – Offensive Line
2 – Quarterback
3 – Defensive Back
4 – Linebacker
5 – Defensive Line
6 – Running Back
7 – Wide Receiver
8 – Kicker
9 – Punter
1 – Offensive Line
Mental Aspect
The offensive line is demanding both mentally and physically. The offensive linemen have a lot of responsibility with the mental aspect of the game. The assignments that offensive linemen must know are very expansive, especially as the level of competition increases.
The mental part of the game is both impacted prior to the snap and also after the snap. Film study is an integral part of preparing for football. This is a very complicated part of playing offensive line.
As you watch a game on television it may look like the offensive linemen are just pushing people around, but it is much more complicated than that. Each play has multiple assignments for each offensive linemen, and things change drastically after the snap.
The ability to adjust on the fly is extremely important for this position, which makes it a very demanding position to learn and execute.
Physical Aspect
The physical aspect of playing offensive line is also extremely demanding. Coaches call the line of scrimmage “the trenches.” The trenches are where the big guys battle. Offensive linemen have to be unselfish, giving short bursts of all-out energy.
Offensive linemen must be physical, but also athletic enough to move, especially in today’s game. This position is exhausting, the exertion and physical contact is at a very high level in the trenches.
Most offenses do well if the offensive line is physical and there is a toughness created with this group of players.
2 – Quarterback
Mental Aspect
Playing quarterback is probably the most difficult position mentally. This position requires someone with a very high football IQ. There are many factors of the mental aspect of the game of football that quarterbacks are required to retain.
Quarterbacks are responsible to understand where the other 10 players are going on each snap. Quarterbacks are required to understand the offense inside and out and to operate at a high level.
Preparation is a key component to the quarterback position. Game planning and motivating the other players is all part of the mental aspect of playing this position.
Physical Aspect
The physical aspect of playing quarterback is sometimes not considered to be of high demand. This is the case in some regard. The physical demands of a quarterback in the NFL, comparatively speaking, is less than most of the other positions on the field.
Playing quarterback, however, does come with some risk. Typically quarterbacks aren’t the biggest players or the football field. Quarterbacks tend to be a little smaller, or maybe not as muscular and strong as the other positions.
Although quarterbacks aren’t always the strongest on the field, they do take hits from players that are in fact bigger and stronger than them, making this position one that is a bit risky.
At the lower levels of football, specifically youth and high school, quarterbacks many times are players that run the ball often. At the lower levels, quarterbacks will carry the football, becoming running backs, requiring physicality and toughness.
3 – Defensive Back
Mental Aspect
Some might be shocked that the position of defensive back is considered to be a difficult position, but as the level of competition increases, so does the demand for these players.
Defensive backs are required to do a variety of skills, making this position at the top of our difficulty list. Defensive backs are required to cover wide receivers, but also make tackles in open space, which is not an easy task.
As the level of football increases, this position becomes more mentally demanding. Defenses tend to have multiple coverages, and the mental aspect of this position becomes demanding.
Physical Aspect
The reason that defensive back can be demanding physically is because of the size of these players. One of the toughest factors with playing defensive back is that you have to be quick enough to cover someone, but also tough enough to tackle big, strong running backs.
Defensive backs are required to cover and make plays on passes, but also be involved in run support. The skills required for this position make it one of the most difficult and demanding positions on the football field.
4 – Linebacker
Mental Aspect
Linebackers tend to line up in similar positions each play, however, after the ball is snapped, this position can become challenging. Some positions require most of the mental part to be pre-snap (before the snap), but playing linebacker becomes mental after the snap.
Although playing linebacker can seem like an easy task mentally, this position actually requires quite a bit of mental focus.
Linebackers must make quick decisions and then react to what they see in front of them. For linebackers, making one mis-step could cost a defense a missed tackle and even a touchdown for the opposing teams.
Physical Aspect
Physically, this may be the toughest position on the field. The physicality of linebackers is extremely important. Linebackers are being blocked and making tackles on just about every play.
Linebackers are required to be physically fit, both strong and fast. This position takes a toll on the body, it is a physically demanding position, one that is important for any defense, and any team.
5 – Defensive Line
Mental Aspect
The mental aspect of playing defensive line can be more simple than many other positions on a football field. This position has a lot of responsibilities, but the assignments are a little less taxing than some other positions.
Defensive linemen typically line up in similar positions. This position is more about techniques than it is about the scheme that is developed.
Physical Aspect
The physical part of the playing defensive line is why we ranked it where we did. The defensive line, although not as mentally demanding as some other positions, does require a great deal of physicality and toughness.
This position has some of the best athletes for their size. Defensive linemen have to be strong and big, but also have to be able to move. Some of the players in the NFL that play defensive line are freaks of nature.
There is contact on every snap, whether a defensive linemen is rushing the quarterback, or he is tackling a running back.
6 – Running Back
Mental Aspect
Playing running back can be fun and exciting. The mental part of the game is very specific, but does not require as much football IQ as some of the other positions.
The mental part of the game involves understanding how to react after the snap. Running backs are required to perform a variety of skills, including running the football, blocking, and catching the football.
Physical Aspect
The physical part of playing running back can be exhausting. Running backs have to give a burst and sometimes run longer distances. Running backs are also being hit hard by players that are usually bigger and sometimes stronger than them.
Running backs need to be strong, but fast also, and this can be difficult to obtain and maintain.
7 – Wide Receiver
Mental Aspect
We ranked wide receiver as one of the easier positions. Mentally, there is not as much for this position. This position requires a sense of instincts, speed, and athleticism. At the higher levels of football, this position can be much more difficult, especially the way the game is played today.
On passing plays, wide receivers in the NFL are making split decisions based on what the defense does after the snap. The key is that the quarterback and wide receiver are on the same page.
Physical Aspect
Wide receivers are required to block, but are typically blocking players that are of similar size. Wide receivers sometimes get hit as they are catching the football, which can be physically demanding.
8 – Kicker
Mental Aspect
This position is simple when it comes to the game plan part of football. A kicker doesn’t have that much to remember as far as schemes.
The kicker does, however, have demands as far as pressure. The kicker is required to make a kick at the end of the game. The kicker can be the player that has the most pressure, as many games come down to whether they make a kick or not.
Physical Aspect
There is not much a of requirement physically for kickers as they are typically not involved in contact.
9 – Punter
Mental Aspect
This is the easiest position mentally. The punter is typically not in high-stress situations.
Physical Aspect
The punter does not require much physically as it is rare for them to be involved in contact.
Final Thoughts
Football is a team sport, with many different positions and assignments. Each position requires a different level mentally and physically.
We believe that the offensive line is the most difficult when you combine the mental and physical parts of the game. Football players understand the pressure and preparation that is needed to play certain positions.
If you are trying to decide on what position to play, it is important to not only weigh the mental aspects, but also the physical aspects of the game. Training and body type are key factors for determining each position.