Offensive line
The offensive line has five players: left tackle, left guard, center, right guard and right tackle. They are rarely seen on TV, but a play almost never works unless they win their blocks.
What he does
- The center snaps the ball and calls the blocking assignments
- Guards block the defensive tackles and linebackers inside
- Tackles block the edge rushers
- On runs, pushes the defense off the ball or moves it sideways to create a lane
- On passes, forms a pocket that keeps rushers away from the quarterback
On running plays
In zone blocking all five move in the same direction and each takes the defender in his area. In gap (power) blocking a guard may pull and run around to lead the back through the hole.
On passing plays
Linemen step back and keep their hands inside the rusher’s frame. The left tackle protects the blind side of a right-handed quarterback, and the center and guards must handle stunts, blitzes and double teams.
What makes a good one
Size, balance, hand placement and communication. Linemen must act as one unit: if one fails, the whole play can fail.
How he lines up
The five linemen line up shoulder to shoulder with a split of about one to three feet between them. Wider splits give the defense more room to stunt, and tighter splits protect the gaps. Most lines use a three-point stance in the run game and a slightly more upright stance on passing plays so that they can move back quickly.
Techniques and common mistakes
The line works as a unit through communication: the center identifies the middle linebacker, the Mike, and calls the protection, and the others adjust. Common mistakes are false starts, holding when the feet are beaten, and leaving a rusher unblocked because of a communication error. Many sacks come from a mix-up between two linemen, not from one lineman being beaten on his own.
Animated play
Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.
- Five linemen line up side by side: the left tackle, left guard, center, right guard and right tackle.
- At the snap they step back together and form a pocket, a protected space around the quarterback.
- Each lineman stops the defender in front of him. The running back picks up the extra rusher who comes from the second level.
- The line holds for a few seconds. That gives the quarterback time to throw, and the play can work.