ballcarriers

A ballcarrier is a player in sports like American football, Canadian football, rugby union, and rugby league who is in possession of the ball and is attempting to advance it. The primary role of a ballcarrier is to gain yardage by running with the ball or, in some cases, to evade tacklers and maintain possession.

In American and Canadian football, common ballcarriers include running backs, quarterbacks (especially on designed runs or scrambles), and wide receivers who may receive a handoff or a short pass. In rugby, any player who receives the ball is technically a ballcarrier, but specific players often fill more prominent ball-carrying roles depending on the situation.

The actions of a ballcarrier are crucial to the offensive strategy of a team. They must possess a combination of speed, agility, strength, and vision to break tackles, find open space, and protect the ball. Ballcarriers often employ various techniques to evade defenders, such as jukes, spins, stiff arms, and dives. The success of a ballcarrier can significantly influence the outcome of a game by contributing to scoring opportunities or maintaining possession. Defenders aim to stop the ballcarrier by tackling them, forcing them out of bounds, or causing a fumble.