Positions and roles
Offensive line (OL)
The five blockers up front: two tackles, two guards and a center.
The offensive line is five blockers: left tackle, left guard, center, right guard, right tackle. They protect the quarterback and open running lanes, and in a normal formation none of them may catch a pass.
Line play is the single largest hidden variable in football — good lines make ordinary skill players look fast.
Related terms
- Center (C)The middle offensive lineman, who snaps the ball and sets the protection calls.
- Guard (G)The linemen either side of the center, who handle interior power and pull on run plays.
- Left tackle and right tackleThe two outside offensive linemen; the left tackle usually protects the blind side while the right tackle sees heavier run duty.
More in Positions and roles
- Head coach (HC)
- Offensive coordinator
- Defensive coordinator
- Quarterback (QB)
- Running back (RB)
- Fullback (FB)
- Wide receiver (WR)
- X receiver
- Z receiver (flanker)
- Slot receiver
- Tight end (TE)
- Center (C)
- Guard (G)
- Left tackle and right tackle
- Defensive lineman (DL)
- EDGE
- Linebacker (LB)
- Cornerback (CB)
- Slot corner (nickel)
- Safety (SAF)
- Kicker (K)
- H-back