What position gets hit the least in football?

Who Gets Hit the Least in Football?

In the high-impact world of football, where collisions are part of every snap, some positions manage to stay out of the fray more than others. While linemen clash on nearly every play and linebackers hunt down ball carriers, a few players experience far less physical contact—mainly those on special teams.

Punters, kickers, and long snappers are typically the least-hit players on the field. Their roles are highly specialized and often brief. A kicker might step onto the field for just a few seconds during field goal attempts or kickoffs, then retreat to the sideline. The same goes for punters and long snappers—they execute their precise tasks and are usually nowhere near the ensuing action.

Statistically, these players participate in only a small fraction of total plays. While a starting quarterback or wide receiver may be on the field for 60 or 70 snaps in a game, a kicker might only see action 5 to 10 times. That limited exposure dramatically reduces their chances of taking a hard hit.

But it’s important to note: not all special team roles are low-risk. Players involved in kickoffs or returns often face some of the most violent collisions in football, sprinting at full speed and meeting head-on. So while the kicker sets up the play, the gunners and returners are often the ones absorbing brutal hits.

In essence, the title of “least-hit” goes not to the star quarterback or elusive wideout, but to the quiet specialists who do their job and disappear—kickers, punters, and snappers. They may not dodge hits by skill, but by design. And in a sport defined by contact, that’s a rare advantage.