Editor’s note: The following is just one part of an ongoing series to describe the ins and outs of football. The series begins with the basics and then delves into the advanced aspects of the sport.SALT LAKE CITY — Now, let’s move on to special teams.

Special teams in football are the units that are used when the offense and defense are on the sidelines. If your team has possession for three downs but fails to convert a first down, you would typically call on either your punter or kicker, depending on the situation. Special teams are used when you are giving possession of the ball to the other team or in certain scoring positions.

Punter (P):

The punter is primarily used on a fourth down if the offense cannot get a new set of downs to continue the drive. Punters stand about 15 yards behind the line of scrimmage and receive the ball, and they drop-kick the ball as far as possible to the opposing team to give them their next possession. Punters are eligible players to go downfield and make the tackle on the play. Punts can be blocked by the other team and are then considered a live ball for either team to pick up. Punters also punt the ball after a safety.

Long snapper (LS):

A long snapper is the player along the line who snaps the ball to the punter. They are usually only used on punts and field goal situations.

Kicker (K):

Kickers are the players you deploy when you are within field goal range or attempting a PAT (point after touchdown). PATs occur after the offense scores a touchdown and can either kick for one extra point or attempt a two-point conversion. A field goal is worth three points and is usually attempted when the offensive drive stalls and the team cannot convert another first down. Kickers also kick the ball to the opposing team when the game starts, changing possessions after scoring plays or halftime. Kickers can use a tee on kickoffs and a holder on field goals.

Holder (H):

Holders are the players who receive the snap on a field goal attempt and set the ball up for the kicker to attempt to score. Holders can also be used in the place of a tee on a kickoff if the ball keeps falling off the tee.

Kick returner (KR):

Kick returners are the players who receive the ball on a kickoff from the opposing team. Their job is to bring the ball out and give the offense a big return so the offense is in a better position downfield to score.

Punt returner (PR):

Punt returners receive the ball on a punt play just like a KR. They can wave their hands in the air to call for a fair catch. A fair catch means the play is dead once the returner catches the ball and the offense will start from that point on the field.

Gunners (G):

Gunners are the players on a special teams unit whose job is to get to the other team’s kick or punt returner to stop them from gaining yards for the offense to operate with. These are usually some of the fastest athletes on the team as their speed is crucial to stopping a big return.

Jammers (J):

Jammers are the opposite of gunners and are the players in charge of blocking for the returner on their team.

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