Football Depth Chart Template by Position and String

A row for every position and a column for every string: offense, two defensive fronts, special teams and a blank sheet.

Football Depth Chart: ________________ Date: __________

Offense: 12 rows, QB to RT

Offense: 12 rows, QB to RT: a column for each string.
Box
QBQuarterback
RBRunning back
FBFullback
WR 1Wide receiver
WR 2
Slot WRSlot receiver
TETight end
LTLeft tackle
LGLeft guard
CCenter
RGRight guard
RTRight tackle

Scoring key

Read across a row: Starter, then Backup
Starter is the 1st string. Backup is the 2nd string, the player who goes in when the starter is hurt or needs a rest. Third and Fourth are the 3rd and 4th strings. On paper, cross out a column you do not use.
Twelve offense rows, eleven players on the field
The center, two guards, two tackles and the quarterback make six, which leaves five places for backs, receivers and tight ends, and the sheet prints six such rows. RB, FB, two WR and TE is the traditional set. Put the slot receiver in for the fullback and it is a three-receiver set.
One player may appear on more than one row
Substitution is free on any dead ball, which is why teams run separate offense, defense and special teams units and why this chart has a sheet for each. On a small squad the same name can start on all three.
Type over a string heading to rename it
Third can become JV or Scout team. A renamed heading prints with Print filled sheet only: the blank print leaves out everything typed.

How each row scores

QB
Quarterback
RB
Running back
FB
Fullback
WR
Wide receiver
Slot WR
Slot receiver
TE
Tight end
LT
Left tackle
LG
Left guard
C
Center
RG
Right guard
RT
Right tackle

This sheet has no totals: it is a record to fill in.

Your chart is kept in this browser only. Clear sheet keeps a copy for Undo: on a shared computer use a private window.

Next step Not sure where a new player fits? Spin a positionChart set? Name the plays for the wristband

Football Depth Chart Template by Position and String: how it works

This football depth chart template prints a row for every position and a column for every string. It opens on Offense: twelve rows from QB to RT, with Starter, Backup and Third boxes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string. Four more sheets cover a 4-3 defense, a 3-4 defense, special teams and a blank. No team or player is loaded. Type names in, or print it empty.

Five sheets, one unit on each

Offense runs QB, RB, FB, WR 1, WR 2, Slot WR and TE, then the line from LT to RT. Defense 4-3 and Defense 3-4 read across the formation: linemen, linebackers, corners, safeties. Special teams lists jobs, from K and LS to two gunners and two jammers. Add a string puts in the Fourth column, and Remove cuts the chart to two deep.

Twelve offense rows for eleven players

Eleven play at once, with at least seven on the line of scrimmage and no more than four backs. The center, two guards, two tackles and the quarterback take six places, which leaves five for backs, receivers and tight ends. The sheet prints six such rows. RB, FB, two WR and TE is the traditional set. Swap the fullback for the slot receiver and you have three receivers.

Tips

  • One name can sit on several rows. If your backup center starts at left guard, write him in both, and you see the second hole his move opens.
  • The nickelback, a fifth defensive back, has no row. Write him in a cornerback's Backup box.
  • Two players level at one spot? Write both names in the Starter box and settle it in practice.

Questions and answers

Can I print it blank?

Yes. Print blank sheet gives a printable blank football depth chart template: position rows and string headings in ink, every box empty for a pen. Anything typed is left out, a renamed heading included, so after renaming Third to JV use Print filled sheet. Each sheet fits one portrait page of US Letter or A4. For a file, pick Save as PDF in the print window.

We play eight-player or flag football. Which sheet fits?

Open Blank: twelve numbered rows with an empty Position box before the string columns, so you name the rows yourself. Eight-player football has three fewer players a side, commonly without the two offensive tackles and one skill player, and flag football runs from four to nine a side.

Does it load a real team's depth chart?

No. It loads no team, player or roster. It is an empty depth chart template: football positions are printed down the side, and every name box is blank for your own squad. Trying a new player somewhere? Spin the position wheel.

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All 44 positions and notes

Offense rows 11

  • C Snaps the ball to start the play, then blocks, and calls out the line's blocking assignments before the snap. If your backup center is a starting guard, moving him makes a second hole, so fill that guard's Backup box too.
  • FB Often bigger and stronger than the tailback, set closer to the line and used mainly as a lead blocker, with the odd carry or catch. No fullback in your offense? Leave the row empty.
  • LG Directly beside the center on his left. Guards block on runs and passes, and a guard who leaves his spot to lead a sweep, a trap or a screen is called a pulling guard.
  • LT Outside the left guard. For a right-handed quarterback this tackle guards the blind side, the side the passer cannot see, so the line's most skilled blocker usually plays here. If one swing tackle backs up both sides, write him in the LT and RT rows.
  • QB Takes the snap from the center to start every play, then hands off, throws or runs. Keep the Third column for this row even if the rest of your chart is two deep: the backup quarterback is often the holder on kicks as well, so losing him opens two rows at once.
  • RB The tailback, also called the halfback, is usually the main ball carrier and the quarterback's short safety-valve pass. An offense lines up with anything from no running back to three, so list them in the order they would get the carries.
  • RG Directly beside the center on his right. The five interior linemen may not catch a forward pass, so every name in the rows from LT to RT is a blocker on every play.
  • RT Outside the right guard. Tackles are typically the tallest linemen, with a long reach and quick feet, because they block the defensive ends. With a left-handed quarterback the blind side is here.
  • Slot WR Lines up between the outermost receiver and the offensive line, and comes on in three-receiver sets in place of the fullback. If your third receiver is simply the next name from the WR rows, write him here as well.
  • TE Lines up next to a tackle and is part lineman, part receiver: he blocks on most plays and may still catch a pass. A tight end who sets up behind the line is an H-back.
  • WR The two outside receivers, printed as WR 1 and WR 2. The split end stands on the line of scrimmage and counts among the seven players who must be on it. The flanker stands a step behind it and counts as one of the four backs.

Defensive line and linebacker rows 10

  • LDE The outside man on the left of the defensive line, facing the offense's right tackle. Ends rush the passer and turn outside runs back inside, which coaches call containment.
  • LDT Inside the left end; an older name for the job is defensive guard. Tackles rush the passer and stop runs up the middle. Printed on the 4-3 sheet, where the line has two tackles.
  • LILB A 3-4 puts two inside linebackers where a 4-3 has one middle linebacker. The bigger run stopper of the pair is usually still called Mike and tends to line up towards the offense's strong side.
  • LOLB Outside linebackers set the edge against the run, blitz, or drop into pass coverage. In a 3-4 they line up in front of the offensive tackles and have to be skilled at rushing the quarterback.
  • MLB The Mike, often called the quarterback of the defense because he relays the calls. Middle linebackers commonly lead a team in tackles. Printed on the 4-3 sheet. Pick a backup who can make the calls.
  • NT Also called nose guard or middle guard. Sets up straight across the ball from the center, and commonly has two blockers on him, sometimes three. Printed on the 3-4 sheet, between the two ends.
  • RDE The faster of the two ends usually plays this side, because the defense's right is a right-handed quarterback's blind side.
  • RDT Where a front has two tackles, the second is called the under tackle and is usually the quicker of the pair. Printed on the 4-3 sheet only.
  • RILB The smaller of the two inside linebackers, the one who covers more passes, is called Will in a 3-4. If your inside linebackers move with the formation, read LILB as Mike and RILB as Will.
  • ROLB A 4-3 names its outside linebackers by the offense's strong side. Sam plays the strong side, normally facing the tight end. Will plays the weak side and needs the most speed of the three linebackers. If yours switch sides with the tight end, read LOLB as Sam and ROLB as Will.

Defensive back rows 4

  • FS Usually stands further from the ball than anyone else on the defense. Of the two safeties he tends to be the lighter, quicker one, so pick a backup with the speed to cover deep.
  • LCB Corners cover the wide receivers to break up or intercept passes, and on a run they contain the runner or force him out of bounds.
  • RCB A fifth defensive back is the nickelback and a sixth is the dimeback. Neither has a row of its own: write the nickelback in a corner's Backup box, or give him a row on the Blank sheet.
  • SS Usually the bigger, stronger safety. He sets up nearer the line than the free safety, on the strong side, meaning the side the tight end is on. Nobody stands behind the two safeties, so a missed tackle here is a long gain.

Special teams rows 9

  • Gunner Two rows, one for each sideline. A gunner lines up wide on punts and kickoffs and sprints downfield to tackle the returner. Usually a receiver or a cornerback.
  • H Kneels 7 to 8 yards behind the line and sets the snap down for the kicker. Often the backup quarterback or the punter, because both have sure hands.
  • Jammer Two rows, one opposite each gunner. On the return team a jammer tries to slow a gunner down before he reaches the returner.
  • K Kicks off and kicks field goals and extra points, from a tee or from a holder. If one player kicks off and another kicks field goals, write the kickoff man in the Backup box.
  • KR Catches the kickoff and runs it back. Returners are usually among the fastest players, often receivers or cornerbacks, and teams tend to keep their best starters off this row because of the injury risk.
  • LS A specialised center who snaps to the punter or the holder, and these days a dedicated player, not a spare lineman. Your starting center is not automatically the long snapper, so fill this row on its own.
  • P Usually punts on fourth down, from about 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage. One player rarely does both kicking jobs. If yours does, write him on both rows, so that an injury shows as two holes.
  • PR Catches punts and runs them back. One player may return both kicks and punts: write him on the KR and PR rows alike.
  • Upback Also called the personal protector. On a punt he stands 1 to 3 yards behind the line as a blocking back, makes the line calls, and can take the snap himself on a fake. Usually a backup running back or linebacker.

Open rows of the blank sheet 1

  • Spot Twelve numbered rows with an empty Position box at the front, for a line-up that matches none of the printed sheets: eight-player or flag football, a youth team with position names of its own, or all eleven places of one special teams unit.

How to read and fill in the chart 9

  • 3-4: three linemen, then four linebackers A nose tackle with an end on each side, two outside and two inside linebackers behind them, and the same four defensive backs as on the 4-3 sheet. The rules do not tie a defense to set positions, so use the Blank sheet for any other front.
  • 4-3: four linemen, then three linebackers The first number counts defensive linemen and the second counts linebackers. Two ends, two tackles, three linebackers, two cornerbacks and two safeties make eleven.
  • Left and right mean the defense's own sides LDE plays on the defense's left, opposite the offense's right tackle. The rows run across the formation the way the players stand: the line first, then the linebackers, the corners and the safeties.
  • One player may appear on more than one row Substitution is free on any dead ball, which is why teams run separate offense, defense and special teams units and why this chart has a sheet for each. On a small squad the same name can start on all three.
  • Read across a row: Starter, then Backup Starter is the 1st string. Backup is the 2nd string, the player who goes in when the starter is hurt or needs a rest. Third and Fourth are the 3rd and 4th strings. On paper, cross out a column you do not use.
  • These rows are jobs, not one unit of eleven A kicker, a holder and a long snapper go out for a field goal. A punter, a long snapper, an upback and two gunners go out for a punt. Returners and jammers belong to the return teams. Fill the other places on each unit from your offense and defense.
  • Twelve offense rows, eleven players on the field The center, two guards, two tackles and the quarterback make six, which leaves five places for backs, receivers and tight ends, and the sheet prints six such rows. RB, FB, two WR and TE is the traditional set. Put the slot receiver in for the fullback and it is a three-receiver set.
  • Type over a string heading to rename it Third can become JV or Scout team. A renamed heading prints with Print filled sheet only: the blank print leaves out everything typed.
  • Write the position in the first box Eight-player football has three fewer players a side, commonly without the two offensive tackles and one skill player, and needs five players on the line of scrimmage. Flag football is played with anything from four to nine a side. Name the rows your team uses.

How this list was compiled: The layout is our own work: one row for every position and one column for every string (Starter, Backup, Third, Fourth), on five sheets (offense, a 4-3 defense, a 3-4 defense, special teams and a blank). Every sheet was printed to PDF in headless Chromium on 2026-09-19, blank and filled, at US Letter and A4, and each came out on one page; the string columns are named in words because the widget prints a small column number in front of each name, which turned '1st string' into '11st string' on paper. Checked on 2026-09-19 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football_positions: 11 players a side; at least seven players on the line of scrimmage and no more than four backs behind it; five offensive linemen (a center, two guards, two tackles) who may not catch a forward pass; the left tackle and a right-handed quarterback's blind side; the traditional set of a quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers (a split end and a flanker) and a tight end; the tailback, fullback, slot receiver, tight end and H-back; that the rules do not restrict the defense to set positions; that in 4-3 and 3-4 the first number counts linemen and the second linebackers; defensive ends and containment, the faster end on the right, defensive tackles and the under tackle, the nose tackle opposite the center; the middle linebacker as Mike and quarterback of the defense; what outside linebackers do; cornerbacks, the free and strong safety, the nickelback and dimeback; the placekicker, the punter's 15 yards, the long snapper, the holder's 7 to 8 yards and who usually holds, kick and punt returners, the upback, the gunner and the jammer; and unlimited free substitution on a dead ball, which produced separate offense, defense and special teams units. That article carries no Sam or Will, so the strong-side and weak-side linebacker names, the two inside and two outside linebackers of a 3-4, its Mike and Will and its pass-rushing outside linebackers were checked on 2026-09-19 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linebacker. Eight-player football (three fewer players a side, commonly two offensive tackles and a skill position player dropped, five players on the line of scrimmage) was checked on 2026-09-19 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-man_football, and flag football's variations of 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 players on each side against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_football (its infobox says 4 to 10, but the 10 in the article's text is a squad size, so the sheet says four to nine). No team, player or league is listed, and no real depth chart is reproduced. Licence: The layout, the choice of rows, the coaching advice and the notes are own work. The position facts follow the English Wikipedia articles named in source (CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/), restated in our own words.