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The running back/halfback (blue) in a typical I formation.

A running back turns up the field in an attempt to reach the end zone.

A running back (RB) is a gridiron football position who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.

There are usually one or two running backs on the field for a given play, depending on the offensive formation. A running back may be a halfback (HB for short, in certain contexts also referred to as a tailback) or a fullback (FB).

Halfback/tailback[link]

The halfback or tailback position is recognized as one of the more glamorous positions on the field, as it is often integral in both the passing and running attack. He is responsible for carrying the ball on the majority of running plays, and may frequently be used as a receiver on short passing plays. In today's game, an effective halfback must have a superior blend of both quickness and agility as a runner, as well as sure hands and shrewd vision upfield as a receiver. More and more quarterbacks depend on halfbacks as a safety valve receiver when primary targets downfield are covered or when they are under pressure. Occasionally, they line up as additional wide receivers. When not serving either of these functions, the primary responsibility of a halfback is to aid the offensive linemen in blocking, either to protect the quarterback or another player carrying the football. As a trick play, running backs are occasionally used to pass the ball on a halfback option play or halfback pass.

No position in Canadian/American football can perform his duties successfully without the help of other players. Like the wide receiver, who generally cannot make big plays without the quarterback passing to him (with the exception of the end-around or a reverse), the running back nearly always needs good blocking from the offensive line to successfully gain yardage. Also, a running back will generally have more rushing attempts than a receiver will have receptions, which is mainly because a receiver must catch a pass to obtain a reception, while a running back usually takes a direct handoff or short pitch from the quarterback before registering a rushing attempt.

Note that the difference between halfback and tailback is simply the position of the player in the team's offensive formation. In historical formations, the halfback lined up approximately half-way between the line of scrimmage and the fullback (similarly, quarterbacks line up a quarter of the distance between the line of scrimmage and the fullback). Because the halfback is usually the team's main ball carrier (while the fullback is primarily a blocker), modern offensive formations have positioned the halfback behind the fullback (at the "tail end" of the formation), to take advantage of the fullback's blocking abilities. As a result, some systems or playbooks will call for a tailback as opposed to a halfback.

The term tailback is often used in Canadian football interchangeably with running back, while the use of the term halfback is often exclusively reserved for the defensive halfback, which refers to the defensive back halfway between the linebackers and the cornerbacks.

Fullback[link]

In most modern college and professional football schemes, fullbacks carry the ball infrequently, instead using their larger physiques as primary "lead blockers". On most running plays, the fullback leads the halfback, attempting to block potential tacklers before they reach the ball carrier. When the fullback is called upon to carry the ball, the situation calls for gaining a short amount of yardage, and the fullback uses their bulk to avoid getting tackled. Fullbacks are sometimes receivers for passing plays, although most plays call for the fullback to block any defensive players that make it past the offensive line, a skill referred to as "blitz pickup". Fullbacks are technically running backs, but today the term "running back" is usually used in referring to the halfback or tailback. Although fullbacks currently are rarely used as ball carriers, in previous offensive schemes fullbacks would be the designated ball carriers.

In high school football, where the offenses are simpler and player sizes vary greatly, fullbacks are still frequently used as ball carriers. In lower levels of the game (namely high school and college offenses), a scheme known as the "Triple Option" utilizes the fullback as a primary ball carrier. The fullback plays a unique role by establishing an inside running threat on every play. Triple Option fullbacks require excellent ball carrying skills and employ a tenacious running style, but often lack the receiving skills of their counterparts in other schemes. College teams such as Navy and Air Force have employed the triple option scheme with success.

While in years past the fullback lined up on the field for almost every offensive play, teams often opt to replace the fullback with an additional wide receiver or a tight end in modern football. Fullbacks in the National Football League rarely get to carry or catch the ball since they are used almost exclusively as blockers. Their talent and value to a team is usually judged by the success of the team's halfback or by how many times the team's quarterback is sacked, similar to the way offensive linemen are judged. Fullbacks are also still used occasionally as rushers on plays when a short gain is needed for a first-down or touchdown, as they are large and powerful and therefore effective at breaking through the line for a short distance. Jim Brown, Marion Motley, Franco Harris, and Larry Csonka are considered among the best fullbacks in history, all noted for a tough, grinding running style. In modern times, Daryl "Moose" Johnston, Lorenzo Neal, Tony Richardson, Sam Gash and Mike Alstott are considered among the greats.

Characteristics of a running back[link]

Height and weight[link]

There is a great diversity in those who play at the running back position. At one extreme are smaller (5'4"-5'10"), shiftier players. These quick, agile, and elusive running backs are often called "Scat backs" because their low center of gravity and maneuverability allow them to dodge tacklers. Prototypical "Scat backs" would be Darren Sproles, Warrick Dunn, and Danny Woodhead.

At the other extreme are "power backs": bigger, stronger players who can break through tackles using brute strength and raw power. They are usually (but not always) slower runners compared to other backs, and typically run straight ahead (or "North-and-South" in football terminology) rather than dodging to the outside edges of the playing field (i.e. running "East-and-West") like shorter, quicker, lighter backs will often do. Jim Brown, Earl Campbell and Jerome Bettis can be considered typical "power backs"; Brandon Jacobs, Steven Jackson and Peyton Hillis are more recent examples.

Receiving ability[link]

Over the years, NFL running backs have been used more and more as receivers out of the backfield, especially with the rise in popularity of the West Coast offense and its variants. On passing plays, a running back will often run a "safe route," such as a hook or a flat route, that gives a quarterback a target when all other receivers are covered or when the quarterback feels pressured. Two backs, fullback Larry Centers and halfback Marshall Faulk, rank among the NFL's top 20 pass catchers.

Some teams have a specialist "third down back", who is skilled at catching passes or better at pass blocking and "picking up the blitz," and thus is often put in the game on third down and long. He can also be used to fool the defense by making them think he is being put into the game for a pass play, when the play is actually a run.

Blocking[link]

Running backs are also required to help the offensive line in passing situations, and, in the case of the full back, running plays. Running backs will often block blitzing linebackers or safeties on passing plays when the offensive line is occupied with the defensive linemen. On running plays, the fullback will often attempt to tear a hole in the offensive line for the running back to run through. Effective blocking backs are usually key components for a running back's success. On passing plays, a running back will stay back to help block and pick up the blitz.

Goal line backs[link]

Many teams also have a running back designated as a "goal line back" or "short yardage specialist". This running back comes into the game in short yardage situations when the offense needs only a little bit of yardage to get a first down or a touchdown. They also come into the game when the offense nears the goal-line. Normally when an offense gets inside the 5 yard line they send in their goal-line formation which usually includes 8 blockers, a quarterback, a running back, and a fullback. The closer they are to the goal-line the more likely they are to use this formation. If a certain running back is used often near the goal-line he is called the goal-line back. Short yardage and goal-line backs often are Power Backs that are not prone to fumbling. Their job is to get the first down or touchdown by muscling through or pushing a large mass of defenders to push their way to the designated area. A great example is Jerome Bettis who is widely considered the greatest running back in history at converting on 4th and 1.

Kick and punt returners[link]

Running backs are sometimes called upon to return punts and kickoffs, a role usually filled by wide receivers and defensive backs, such as cornerbacks, who are generally the fastest players on the team. A running back, Brian Mitchell, currently holds the NFL records for career kickoff return yards (14,014 yards) and career punt return yards (4,999). (Mitchell also gained 1,967 rushing yards, 2,336 receiving yards, and 14 fumble return yards, giving him a total of 23,330 all-purpose yards, the second-most in NFL history behind Jerry Rice.)

References[link]

• Football 101: Basic Football positions

Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy in April 2012
Background information
Birth name	Jessica Hilda Mauboy
Born	(1989-08-04) 4 August 1989 (age 22)
Origin	Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Genres	R&B, pop
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, actress
Instruments	Vocals, piano
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Sony, Ministry of Sound
Associated acts	Young Divas, Stan Walker
Website	jessicamauboy.com.au

Jessica Hilda Mauboy^[1] (born 4 August 1989), is an Indigenous Australian R&B singer, songwriter and actress. In 2006, Mauboy was the runner-up on the fourth season of Australian Idol, she had auditioned for the talent show in Alice Springs to pursue a recording career. Mauboy subsequently signed a contract with Sony Music Australia.

In February 2007, she released her debut live album, The Journey, which reached number four on the ARIA Albums Chart, and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). The album contained selected songs Mauboy performed as part of the top 12 on Australian Idol. Later that year, she briefly became a member of all-girl pop group Young Divas, before resuming her solo career early in 2008. Mauboy released her debut studio album, Been Waiting, in November 2008, which spawned her first number-one single, "Burn", as well as the album's other top 10 hits, "Running Back" and "Because". In 2010, Been Waiting was certified double platinum by the ARIA, for shipments of 140,000 units, and became the second highest-selling Australian album of 2009.^[2] At the 2009 ARIA Music Awards, Mauboy earned seven nominations for the album and singles; she won 'Highest Selling Single' for "Running Back".

Her second studio album, Get 'Em Girls, was released in November 2010; it debuted at number six on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold. Additionally, it spawned the hit singles, "Saturday Night" and "Inescapable". As of August 2011, Mauboy has released five top 10 singles, as well as two top 10 albums.^[3] Mauboy made her acting debut in the film adaptation of the 1990 Aboriginal musical, Bran Nue Dae (2010), for which she received a nomination for 'Female Actress of the Year' at the 2010 Deadly Awards. In 2011, Mauboy made a cameo appearance in TV series, Underbelly: Razor. She will play a lead role in the film, The Sapphires, due to be screened in 2012.

Biography[link]

[edit] 1989–2006: Early life, beginnings, and Australian Idol

Jessica Hilda Mauboy was born on 4 August 1989 and raised in Darwin, Northern Territory.^[4] Her father, Ferdi, is of Indonesian descent who came from West Timor,^[5] and her mother, Therese, is an Indigenous Australian.^[5][6][7][8] Mauboy is the youngest of five children and from an early age, she was involved in the local church choir with her grandmother.^[7][9] Her home was described as the "noisiest house on the block", with her mother often singing, her father playing guitar and the rest of the family displaying their passion for music.^[7] Mauboy attended Sanderson High School in Darwin.^[10]

At the age of fourteen, Mauboy's talents were exposed through the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition at the 2004 Tamworth Country Music Festival.^[11] As the first winner of the competition, Mauboy travelled to Sydney to perform^[7] and scored a recording deal with Sony Music Australia.^[4] She then released a country-inspired rendition of the Cyndi Lauper's hit "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun".^[4] A video for her version of the song had a release;^[12] however, the song went nowhere and Mauboy returned to Darwin until auditioning for TV talent show, Australian Idol, in 2006.^[4]

Mauboy with Damien Leith at the Australian Idol grand final

She auditioned for the fourth season of Australian Idol in Alice Springs, singing Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing".^[9] Her audition impressed all three judges, and she progressed through to the semi-finals.^[9] Following the semi-final process, Mauboy had advanced through to the top twelve. The media cited her previous Sony contract as grounds for dismissal, but since the contract had expired, Australian Idol producers refused to remove her from the show.^[4] Throughout the series, Mauboy continued to impress the judges with her performances. In the final eleven week, following her rendition of Kelly Clarkson's "Walk Away", judge Kyle Sandilands commented on Mauboy's weight, that if she wished to succeed in the music industry, she should "lose the jelly belly".^[13] Mauboy appeared stunned by the comment.^[13] In an interview with Who magazine's Alicia Neil, two years after the comment was made, Mauboy stated "I kind of took it as a joke ... I look back on it as a positive thing – it made me a stronger person."^[14] In the final ten week, Mauboy received the first touchdown of the season from judge Mark Holden for her rendition of Christina Aguilera's hit, "Beautiful".^[1] During the final nine week, Mauboy had a sore throat that resulted in a mediocre rendition of Phil Collins' "Another Day in Paradise" and near-elimination, which landed her in the bottom three.^[4] Following that week, she never landed in the bottom three again, and ended up progressing through to the final show with Damien Leith.^[15] The grand finale was held on 27 November at the Sydney Opera House.^[8] After the viewer votes had been tallied it was announced that Mauboy was runner-up to Leith.^[16]

[edit] 2006–2008: The Journey and Young Divas

In December 2006, Jessica Mauboy signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia – two weeks after the fourth season of Australian Idol ended.^[17] In 2007, Mauboy appeared in advertisements for the shampoo product, Head & Shoulders.^[18] She released her debut live album, The Journey in Australia on 24 February 2007.^[19] The album was a two-disc package. Disc one contained re-recorded covers of the selected songs Mauboy performed as part of the top twelve on Australian Idol, while disc two included a DVD of her performances on the series.^[19] The Journey debuted at number four on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).^[3][20]

In September 2007, Mauboy joined as the new member of the girl group Young Divas, replacing one of the group's original members, Ricki-Lee Coulter, who had left in June to resume her solo career.^[21] Their second studio album, New Attitude, was released on 24 November.^[22] Its lead single, "Turn Me Loose", was released on 3 November,^[23] and reached number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart.^[24] The album debuted at number 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified gold.^[20][24]

Meanwhile in March 2008, Mauboy signed on to the Australian Government In2Oz program, designed to promote closer ties with Indonesia. As a part of the program, she travelled to Indonesia for a three day trip performing around the country, including an appearance on Indonesian Idol, singing Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" and "Sempurna" with former Indonesian Idol contestants Mike, Judika and Lucky.^[25] It was during this time that Mauboy had begun to work on her first solo studio album. Following her three day trip from Indonesia, she returned to Sydney for a week-long recording session.^[25] In August, Mauboy announced that after a year with the Young Divas, she had decided to quit in order to concentrate on her solo career.^[26] Founding member Paulini Curuenavuli had also decided to depart, leaving Kate DeAraugo and Emily Williams as the only remaining members.^[26] Their manager David Champion stated that the group would undergo a third line-up change following the departures of Mauboy and Curuenavuli, with a third album to be released later in the year.^[26] However both DeAraugo and Williams subsequently resumed their solo careers, and the group officially disbanded.

[edit] 2008–2009: Been Waiting

Mauboy performing "Up/Down" at the 2009 Deadly Awards

In late 2008, Jessica Mauboy re-located from Darwin to Sydney and prepared for the release of her debut studio album, Been Waiting.^[27] It was released on 22 November; it peaked at number 11 and was certified double platinum for shipments of 140,000 units.^[3][28][29] Mauboy co-wrote six of the album's songs, which were produced by Audius Mtawarira, Israel Cruz, Jonas Jeberg, Cutfather, Adam Reily, Fingaz and Kwamé.^[30] The album received positive reviews from critics. Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic gave the album three out of five stars and wrote that it was an "impressive debut which suggests that there could indeed be quality music to look forward to in the future as she matures and gains experience".^[31]

"Running Back", featuring American rapper Flo Rida, was released as the album's lead single on 19 September.^[32] It peaked at number three and was certified double platinum.^[3][33] The album's second single, "Burn", became Mauboy's first number-one single,^[3] and was certified platinum.^[34] In February 2009, Mauboy signed with UK record label Ministry of Sound.^[35] The album's title track was released as the third single on 6 March.^[36] The song peaked at number 12 and was certified gold.^[3][34] The following singles, "Because" and "Up/Down", peaked at numbers nine and 11, respectively,^[3] and both were certified gold.^[34] In April 2009, Mauboy teamed up with Bloom Cosmetics to create two designer collection nail polishes,^[37] which included shades of sangria red and metallic green.^[37][38] Two dollars from the sale of each of the nail polish bottles was donated to Children's Hospital Foundations Australia to support the research into childhood illness.^[38] Been Waiting was released in Japan on 22 April 2009,^[39] and reached number 138 on the Japanese Albums Chart.^[40]

At the 2009 Deadly Awards, Mauboy won three awards in the categories of 'Female Artist of the Year', 'Album of the Year' for Been Waiting, and 'Single Release of the Year' for "Burn".^[41] Along with Flo Rida, Mauboy served as a support act for Beyoncé on the Australian leg of her I Am... Tour in September 2009.^[42] At the 2009 ARIA Music Awards, Mauboy earned seven nominations for the album and singles; she was nominated for 'Highest Selling Album', 'Best Pop Release', 'Breakthrough Artist Album', Best Female Artist, 'Breakthrough Artist Single' for "Running Back", and 'Highest Selling Single' for "Running Back" and "Burn".^[43] Eventually, Mauboy won 'Highest Selling Single' for "Running Back".^[44]

[edit] 2010–present: Acting debut, Get 'Em Girls and third studio album

In January 2010, Jessica Mauboy had a starring role in the film adaptation of the 1990 Aboriginal musical Bran Nue Dae.^[45] The film was directed by Rachel Perkins and also starred Ernie Dingo, Geoffrey Rush, Missy Higgins, and Deborah Mailman.^[46] In the film, Mauboy played the role of Rosie, a local church singer who has a love interest for a school boy named Willie (played by Rocky McKenzie).^[45] Five days after Bran Nue Dae was issued, Mauboy signed to Universal Music for an exclusive worldwide long-term publishing agreement.^[47] In April 2010, Mauboy was part of the Byron Bay's Bluesfest along with many other national and international acts.^[48] In May 2010, she collaborated with four other international artists representing their continents—Sean Kingston representing America, Jody Williams representing Africa, Tabitha Nauser (Asia), Steve Appleton (Europe), with Mauboy representing Oceania—on a song titled "Everyone".^[49] The song was initially recorded to be used as the theme song for the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics.^[49] Mauboy, Williams, Nauser and Appleton performed the song at the opening of the Youth Olympics held in Singapore on 14 August 2010.^[49] Kingston was unable to attend the performance, due to a passport mix-up.^[50]

During the 2010 ARIA Music Awards, Mauboy caused media controversy when she mispronounced the word 'debut' as 'de-butt' twice, while referring to rock band Tame Impala's album Innerspeaker (which she called Innerspeak), as a finalist for the 'Album of the Year' award. Two days later, Mauboy told radio station Nova that "I wasn't actually reading it. It wasn't going through my head ... I only got the script that day and it was just like 'have a look and see ya later, and go do your hair and make-up.' That's how the lady was when she handed me the script."^[51] Mauboy released her second studio album, Get 'Em Girls, on 5 November 2010.^[52] She had travelled to the United States in February 2010 to work on the album in Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta with a wide range of American songwriters and producers, most of whom she had not worked with previously.^[6] Mauboy co-wrote three of the album's songs.^[53] The album debuted at number six and was certified gold.^[3][54] It received mixed reviews from critics. Majhid Heath of ABC Online Indigenous gave the album two-and-a-half out of five stars, writing that its a "non-cohesive mess of similar sounding, auto-tuned ravaged pop/R&B that diminishes the talent of this brilliant young songstress".^[55]

The album's title track featuring American rapper Snoop Dogg, was released as its lead single on 17 September 2010,^[56] and peaked at number 19.^[3] Mauboy performed "Get 'Em Girls" with dance troupe Justice Crew at the 2010 NRL Grand Final on 3 October.^[57] Mauboy also performed the song at the 2010 Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards on 8 October, where she co-hosted the award ceremony with Liam Hemsworth and Jerry Trainor, and took home the award for 'Fave Aussie Muso'.^[58][59] "Saturday Night", featuring American rapper Ludacris, was released as the album's second single on 25 October.^[60] The song peaked at number seven and was certified double platinum.^[3][61] "What Happened to Us", featuring English singer Jay Sean, and "Inescapable" were released as the album's third and fourth singles, respectively. In April 2011, Mauboy served as a support act for American singer Chris Brown's Australian leg of his F.A.M.E. Tour.^[62]

Stan Walker and Mauboy performing during the Galaxy Tour, January 2012

As from June 2011, Mauboy has been cast in a lead role in the upcoming film, The Sapphires, based on the stage show of the same name. The film was directed by Wayne Blair, and is set in the late 1960s during the Vietnam war. Mauboy plays the role of Julie, one of four Indigenous Australian singers.^[63] The film is expected to be released in September–October 2012.^[64] As of October 2011, Mauboy has become the new face of the video game, Nintendogs + Cats 3DS, joining forces with RSPCA and Nintendo to help promote the game.^[65] In November 2011, Mauboy made a cameo appearance in the television series, Underbelly: Razor, playing a beautiful nightclub singer.^[66][67] In December 2011, Mauboy teamed up with clothing label KuKu to launch her five-dress fashion range, which were available to buy at Myer stores across Australia.^[68] Mauboy and Stan Walker embarked on their Galaxy Tour across Australia in January 2012, to celebrate the release of their duet, "Galaxy", the fifth single released from Get 'Em Girls.^[69] The tour ended in February 2012.^[69] After the tour, Mauboy began working on her third studio album.^[70] In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, she stated: "I'm working on a whole new album ... a whole new project which I think will be a bit of something new and some of the older styles. I'm just really looking forward to getting back in the studio and recording again."^[70]

Musical style and themes[link]

	"Running Back" (2008) noicon A 25-second sample of Jessica Mauboy's "Running Back" which features lyrics about falling in and out of love.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Mauboy's music is generally R&B and pop,^[71] but she also incorporates hip hop into some of her songs.^[72] Mauboy grew up listening to country singers Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton,^[12] as well as rappers Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.^[73] She likes to play the piano while singing songs by Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and the Bee Gees.^[5] Mauboy cites Carey as one of her musical inspirations. She says, "I've always been a big fan of Mariah Carey. I think it's her personality. As much as she has an amazing voice, she has a crazy personality and I love the fact that she’s not afraid to hide that."^[74] Mauboy has also named Houston as another one of her musical inspirations,^[74] and has stated that she is a fan of Jennifer Lopez.^[5][74]

Mauboy's debut album, Been Waiting, has been described as "a blend of electro beats, heartfelt pop tunes and R&B bass lines."^[75] Most of the themes on the album deal with boys, love and break-ups.^[75] Mauboy told Star Online that:

It's definitely something that I had in mind and that I really wanted to put down quickly before I forgot about it. Being in the studio gave me that inspiration to keep going ... I wanted the album to be mixed up and messed up. That's what it's all about as I was in a messed-up relationship at the time and that's the base line of the album and I just wanted to forget about it.^[75]

Jarrad Bevan from The Mercury noted that the album also contains themes about "everyday life", "family issues", and "friendship".^[76] Alasdair Duncan from Rave magazine, described Mauboy's second album, Get 'Em Girls, as "a more hard-edged take on R&B and pop than her debut, pumped full of hip hop beats, jagged synths and futuristic vocal effects."^[71] Mauboy said that she wanted each song on the album to talk about a "woman's needs", and that the album's theme was "very much about the empowerment of women and the domination of women."^[74] Aside from her vocals and piano work, Mauboy has also co-written some of her material. She co-wrote six songs on her first album,^[30] and three on her second album.^[53] Although Mauboy has no writing credits for the songs "Fight for You" and "Here for Me" on the album Get 'Em Girls she stated in an interview that while working with American producer Harvey Mason, Jr. both came up with the melodies and hooks for these songs.^[74] She also experimented with an operatic-type voice on her song "Scariest Part".^[74] In 2010, she was nominated for 'Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year' at the APRA Awards.^[77]

Discography[link]

• The Journey (2007)
• Been Waiting (2008)
• Get 'Em Girls (2010)

Tours[link]

• 2009: I Am... Tour (as an opening act for Australia)
• 2011: F.A.M.E. Tour (as an opening act for Australia)
• 2012: Galaxy Tour

Filmography[link]

See also[link]

• List of awards and nominations received by Jessica Mauboy
• Young Divas discography

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jessica Mauboy

• Official website