Offensive tackle
The two tackles line up on the ends of the offensive line. They block the fastest and most athletic pass rushers, the edge rushers, so they need long arms and quick feet. The left tackle usually protects the blind side of a right-handed quarterback.
What he does
- Blocks edge rushers on passing plays
- Opens the edge on outside runs
- Uses a kick slide, a quick backward step to the side, to stay in front of the rusher
- Helps the guard on stunts
- Calls out blocking changes with the guard and the tight end
On running plays
Drives the defensive end off the line on a run to his side, or seals him inside to give the runner the outside. On a play the other way he moves with the line and blocks the defender in his area.
On passing plays
Kicks back in a pass set and keeps his hands on the rusher’s chest. Speed rushers try to beat him around the corner, power rushers try to push him back into the quarterback, and he must handle both without help.
What makes a good one
Long arms, balance, foot speed and patience. Tackles are judged on how seldom they let a rusher through, and a single mistake can end in a sack.
How he lines up
Tackles line up at the ends of the line, with a larger split than the interior linemen, because they need room to move. Offenses sometimes use a tackle-over formation, shifting a tackle to the other side to change the strength of the line. Outside him there is usually a tight end or an open edge, so the tackle must also read blitzers coming from the side.
Techniques and common mistakes
Key techniques are the kick slide, the punch (a strong hand strike to the rusher’s chest), anchoring against a bull rush and the reach block on outside runs. Common mistakes are over-setting, which lets an inside move beat him, lunging with the head, which leaves him off balance, and holding when a speed rusher gets around him, which draws a penalty.
Animated play
Blue circles are the team with the ball. X marks the other team. The yellow oval is the ball.
- The offensive tackle lines up at the end of the line. He faces the fastest pass rusher, who comes around the outside.
- At the snap he takes quick steps back and outward, a footwork move known as the kick slide, so he stays between the rusher and the quarterback.
- The rusher tries to run around him. The tackle does not need to stop him, only to push him wide of the quarterback.
- The rusher goes past the pocket, too late, and the quarterback throws.