Why is the fullback less far back than the half back

Question

You would think the quarterback would be least back then halfback a little more back and th full back all the way back

Answer 1

They're not in front of the Running back all the time, you have the splitbacks formation. But yeah, the full back is normally rhere to block for the running back.

Answer 2

In the early days of football the backfield consisted of the QB and just behind him ,and to the right and left, were two half-backs. Directly behing the QB and behind the half-backs was the fullback. The fullback was "fully" behind the QB and the other two running backs were "half way" between the QB and the fullback.Imagine a diamond with the QB and the fullback being opposite points and the half-backs being the other opposite points.  Hence, the name for the fullback position.  In today's terminology the more precise term for the fullback would be blocking back, or lead back..

Answer 3

Descriptively you are correct.  However, as with most sports over 100 years old, a lot has changed in the evolution of formations and the roles of the position names.

In today's game, the fullback is most often the lead blocking back and runs interference for what is most often called the Running Back, Tailback or Back - which tends to make more sense "descriptively", just as Wideout, Wide Receiver and Slot Back/Flanker are more universally easy to understand versus "End" and "Wing Back".  

The same thing has happened with the numbers on jerseys.  In earlier times, it was more "choose your favorite number".  In modern times, centers tend to where 50 series (sometimes 60s); Guards tend to wear 60 series, and Tackles tend to wear 70 series, and Tight Ends and Wide Receivers tend to wear 80 series numerals.  Quarterbacks tend to wear single or double digits of 19 and below, and Tailbacks tend to wear 20s, 30s or 40 series, while Fullbacks tend to orient toward toward 30s and 40s.  Flankers go either way - using "receiver" or "back" numbers so that the referees and judges easily identify them as eligible receivers.

On defense, defensive ends tend to orient toward 90 series, down linemen toward 70 series, and linebackers toward 50s and 40s, with 30s also included.  Safeties and DBs tend to orient in the 20s to 40s, with safeties at the higher of that range, and DBs/Corners at the lower of that range.  These are not absolute, but align most often with most players and teams for ease of identification for coaches, refs/judges, players and fans.

Answer 4

yea it doesnt mak to much since. the half back should be called a full back and vice versa. maybe its because the QB is smallest the FB is the biggest and the HB is in the middle.

Answer 5

the full block is the lead blocker whenever the halfback rushes

Answer 6

That would make no sense the fullback has to be in front of the halfback to block for him.

Answer 7

The Full back is always bigger than the half back, so when the pass rushers from the outside or the Linebackers blitz the full back can pick up the block so the QB can pass to the half back, due to the quickness the HB has to pick up positive yardage.

Answer 8

Generally fullbacks are not as talented at rushing. They specialize in blocking, and even more than rushing, catching short passes out of the backfield.

Another reason is that not all formations have fullbacks. What's referred to as the Ace formation is when the quarterback is under center, but the HB is the only back in the backfield. Many shotgun formations only have one back as well, generally set to the side of the QB. But then you have the Pistol, which kind of features the QB in the FB position, two or three feet behind center, and the HB behind him, which never has a FB.

The HB also has more of a chance to build up speed when he gets the handoff because he is farther behind the QB.