fullback

[fool-bak]

noun

Football.

1. a running back who lines up behind the quarterback and is farthest from the line of scrimmage.

2. the position played by this back.

3. (in soccer, Rugby, field hockey) a player stationed near the defended goal to carry out chiefly defensive duties.

fullback

/ ˈfʊlˌbæk /

noun

1. soccer hockey one of two defensive players positioned in front of the goalkeeper

2. rugby a defensive player positioned close to his own line

3. the position held by any of these players

Word History and Origins

Origin of fullback¹

First recorded in 1885–90; full ¹ + back ¹

Example Sentences

Jones, a fullback, has been “an animal. He runs hard,” Guevara said.

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Hansen, playing at fullback for the first time at Test level, touched down under the posts twice inside the first quarter of an hour.

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Palmer has several assistant coaches with NFL and/or major college football experience, among them running backs coach Mike Karney, a bruising fixture at fullback for the New Orleans Saints; receivers coach T.J.

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There was a fullback who was ruled ineligible before the first game when coaches learned he was significantly older than his teammates.

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Jordan last fall while playing fullback, defensive end and receiver caught the attention of Colorado State assistant Chad Savage, who later joined USC as an assistant.

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Related Words

• halfback 
• tailback