A basic offensive formation includes OL, WR, QB, RB, TE, and FB.
When talking about offense, people would think about QB (quarterback) but I want to introduce the OL (Offensive line) first. Football experts have always said that a formidable OL can turn an average QB into an elite QB. An OL has responsibilities to protect the QB and to open paths for its RB (running back) to run. The OL is consisted of five players. From left to right, it includes LT (left tackle), LG (left guard), C (center), RG (right guard), and RT (right tackle). LT is the most important one among the five because he protects the blind side of QB. Every coach will be very happy if he has an excellent LT in his team.
An elite QB can do more than simply throwing the ball well. As the captain of its unit, he can read opponent team’s defense schemes and make immediate decision to adjust his offensive plan before the ball is snapped. Some stubborn coaches hate to see their QB’s to change his game plans though.
A good WR (wide receiver), or split end, is the one who can run good routes and has separation to opponent team’s CB (corner back). A speedier who runs poor route is hard to succeed in NFL. He is normally around 180 pounds and is checked by opponent team’s CB, who is also a fast and relatively skinny guy.
A TE (tight end) has dual role. He is either helping the OL to block or becoming a receiving threat himself. A good TE is pain of the ass for opponent team’s defense. He is normally over 200 pounds so a LB (linebacker) will keep an eye on him. A CB is hard to bring him down.
A basic offensive formation includes 1 TE and two WRs (team’s #1 and #2 WR). Sometimes it is deployed a 3-WR set, which includes 1 TE and three WR’s. Another time it might has 2 TE-set, which two TE’s line up both side of OL.
A FB (full back) mainly serves a role to open path for RB so he is also an over 200 pound guy. Most of the teams today don’t have FB. FB can receive ball too.
A RB (running back), or Half Back, carries out the running attack.
EXECUTION of game plans: Each team has huge playbook, which includes thousands of game designed plays. Normally, a QB and his WRs/RB try to establish tempo/chemistry through practicing those game plays during week days. Lack of coordination of these two will lead to failure in the game. For example, assuming a game plan code-named chicken has WR run straight for 10 yards and turn back to receive the ball from QB. The QB is supposed to throw the ball to that spot after 4 seconds. If the QB throws too early, the ball will most likely hit the back of WR. Or if WR runs bad route, the ball will be thrown to wrong place. In short, precise execution is critical to team’s victory. It is applied to defensive game plans too.