Lineman (gridiron football): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:42, 15 September 2005

Latest revision as of 20:13, 8 May 2025

(384 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)

Line 1:

{{Short description|Player in gridiron football who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage}}

''For other uses of the term, please see the [[Lineman]] article.''

{{Distinguish|defense line}}

[[Category:American football positions]]

{{More citations needed|date=June 2007}}

[[Image:Linemen.jpg|thumb|350px|A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen in red and offensive linemen in green.]]

'''Lineman''' is a [[position]] in [[American football]]. (See also [[American and Canadian football position names]].) Linemen are the frontline players of the offense or defense of any play during the [[game]]. Their job is to use [[brute force]] and quick [[action|reaction]]s to get their [[job]]s done.

[[Image:Linemen.jpgsvg|thumb|350px|A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen (in 4-3 formation) in red and offensive linemen in green.]]

==Offense==

In [[gridiron football]], a '''lineman''' is a player who specializes in play at the [[line of scrimmage]]. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the offensive line (OL), while linemen on the opposing team are the defensive line (DL). A number of [[National Football League]] (NFL) rules specifically address restrictions and requirements for the offensive line, whose job is to help protect the [[quarterback]] from getting [[Quarterback sack|sacked]] for a loss or [[Fumble|fumbling]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/beginnersguidetofootball|work=National Football League|title=NFL Beginner's Guide to Football}}</ref> The defensive line is covered by the same rules that apply to all defensive players. Linemen are usually the largest players on the field in both height and weight, since their positions usually require less running and more strength than [[skill position]]s.

===Center===

==Offensive line==

The [[center]] is the player who puts the [[ball]] into of play. This unit is responsible for getting the ball into play on the right call, plus blocking his assigned man. If anyone on the field moves past the line of scrimmage before the center hikes the ball, they will be called on the foul. But if any offensive lineman flinches, they will be called on false start.

The '''offensive line''' ('''OL''') consists of the [[Center (American football)|center]], who is responsible for [[Snap (gridiron football)|snapping]] the ball into play, two [[Guard (American football)|guards]] who flank the center, and two [[offensive tackle]]s flanking these guards. In addition, a full offensive line may also include a [[tight end]] outside one or both of the tackles.

[[File:Green Bay Packers Offensive Line lined up Dec 2013.jpg|thumb|The [[Green Bay Packers]] offensive line]]

An offensive lineman's motion during a play is often limited to just a few quick steps (typically from a [[three-point stance]]) to establish position, followed by a wrestling match similar to [[sumo]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Bishop|first1=Greg|title=Sumo wrestlers...or NFL linemen?|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-09-12/sports/0409120012_1_linemen-sumo-wrestlers-nfl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315120438/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2004-09-12/sports/0409120012_1_linemen-sumo-wrestlers-nfl|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 15, 2015|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=Chicago Tribune|date=September 12, 2004}}</ref> Offensive linemen thus tend to be the largest and strongest players on the field with excellent agility and balance, but limited straight-line running speed and stamina.

On some running plays, an offensive lineman will ''pull'' by backing out of his initial position and running behind the other offensive linemen to engage a defensive player beyond the initial width of the offensive line; in modern games this duty usually falls to [[Guard (gridiron football)|guards]].

===Guards===

When an offensive lineman knocks a player down on a block, leaving the defensive player lying flat on his back, it is known as a pancake block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livestrong.com/article/405704-what-is-a-pancake-block-in-football/|work=Livestrong|title=What Is a Pancake Block in Football?}}</ref>

A [[guard]] is the man who is set next to the center. The guard’s job is mainly speed blocking and pulling. A guard must either base block or pull. A guard calls a 3 call if the defensive tackle is in a 2 formation. When a [[guard pull]]s, he traps the man down on the other side of the line after the offensive lineman blocking him lets him through.

When an offensive line has an equal number of men on either side of the center, it is known as a ''balanced line''.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5pPYAODf6ZAC|title=Football|publisher=Taylor & Francis|language=en}}</ref> The ''interior offensive line'' consists of the center and guards.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2017-nfl-draft-lamp-leads-o-line-class-short-on-top-talent-0ap3000000800071 | title=2017 NFL Draft: Lamp leads O-line class short on top talent | work=[[NFL.com]] | date=April 14, 2017 | access-date=October 5, 2017 | author=Zierlein, Lance}}</ref>

===Tackles===

Offensive linemen are not [[Eligible receiver|eligible]] to receive forward passes and are not allowed to advance more than two yards past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is thrown, whether they are engaged with a defensive player or not.

The [[tackle]]s are the strong position on the line. They power their blocks with quick steps and maneuverability. The tackles are mostly in charge of the outside protection. No one should be able to get past the tackle. If the tight end goes out for a [[pass]], the tackle must cover everyone that his guard isn’t, plus what the tight end isn’t covering in case his man comes in to make pressure.

===CenterRun===

Every lineman must cooperate with the play called by the quarterback. Each man has a different job on each play, and each play requires him to do his job correctly in order to be able to complete the play.

On running plays, the primary job of the offensive line is to create space for the ball carrier to run, either by pushing all defensive players backwards past the line of scrimmage, or by pushing defensive players to the side to allow the ball carrier to run past them.

==Defense=Pass===

On [[forward pass|passing]] plays, the offensive line is tasked with stopping defensive players from tackling the quarterback before he has thrown the ball. Stopping these players indefinitely is practically not possible, so the main objective of the offensive line is to slow them down, providing the quarterback with enough time to identify an open, eligible receiver and throw him the ball.

===NoseDefensive guard=line==

{{Redirect-distinguish|Defensive line|Defense line|Three lines of defence}}

[[File:Calgary's D-Line (1797298431).jpg|thumb|The [[Montreal Alouettes]] offensive line (left) and the [[Calgary Stampeders]] defensive line (right)]]

The '''defensive line''' ('''DL''') consists of one or two [[defensive tackle]]s and two [[defensive end]]s who play outside the defensive tackles. The defensive line works with the [[linebacker]]s to try to control the [[line of scrimmage]]. The [[4-3 defense]], most commonly used in the NFL, employs two defensive tackles (and a defensive line of four men, with three [[linebacker]]s behind them), while the [[3-4 defense]] uses just a single defensive tackle, called the [[nose tackle]] (and a defensive line of three men, with four linebackers behind them). Defensive ends in a typical 3-4 have responsibilities more similar to a 4-3 defensive tackle than 4-3 defensive ends.

On running plays, the goal is to tackle the ball carrier. The defensive line attempts to maintain their original formation (even spacing without holes), but also to prevent any members of the opposing offensive line from successfully engaging the linebackers, who chase down the ball carrier. The defensive tackles are usually the most skilled run defenders on the team.

The [[nose guard]] is an extremely important player of the defense. The nose guard is usually the fastest defensive lineman. They have to be fast in order to [[shoot the gap]]s and squeeze their way through. On the other side, they also have to be strong, so that they can stand up their man and read the play.

On passing plays, the defensive line tries to reach the [[quarterback]]. Ideally, the defensive players are able to tackle the quarterback for a loss (a [[QB sack|sack]]), but in practice the quarterback will usually manage to throw the ball before an actual tackle is made; the goal is thus to put pressure on the quarterback as quickly as possible to force him to throw the ball before he can find an open receiver. Defensive ends are usually the most skilled [[pass rush]]ers on the team. In order to increase the pressure on the quarterback, teams will often have players other than the defensive line attempt to sack the quarterback; this is called a [[blitz (gridiron football)|blitz]].

===Tackle===

Because the defense does not know whether the offense is attempting a passing play or a running play (or whether a quarterback will give up on an attempt to pass and instead run with the ball), they must balance passing and running strategies: running around offensive linemen and avoiding contact may allow faster pressure on a quarterback, but it also leaves a hole in the defensive line and frees an offensive lineman to engage a linebacker, enabling a big running play.

The defensive [[tackle]] is a very valuable player on the team. He must sometime block for a blitzing linebacker, get in his [[gap]], or post up his man and read block. Both nose guard and tackle must be very fast on the play, if a running back gets past a player, all units must be able to stop them on their pursuit angles.

Defensive linemen, particularly defensive ends are typically lighter and faster than defensive tackles and offensive linemen. Defensive tackles weight averages between 260 and 310 lbs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Fischer|first=Ezra|date=2013-07-31|title=What is a Defensive Lineman in Football?|url=http://dearsportsfan.com/2013/07/30/what-is-a-defensive-lineman-in-football/|access-date=2023-01-04|website=Dear Sports Fan|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Defensive Ends===

==References==

The [[defensive end]] is like the tight end of the defense. The defensive end’s job is to provide pressure on the quarterback and cause problems for the opposing [[offense]]. Defensive ends are usually extremely big and fast. They must be able to shed blockers like no other to get to the ball. Defensive ends may also sometimes switch jobs with the tackle on the snap of the ball, and catch the offensive lineman off guard and provide access for both the defensive end and the tackle to the quarterback.

{{Reflist}}

{{American football positions}}

Every [[defensive lineman]] has one job. To get in their gap, sit down in the hole, and watch for the play. If the [[quarterback]] looks as if he is going to throw, the lineman will pursue and try to sack him in the backfield. But if they are doing a running play, and the defense executed their play correctly, the play will go nowhere. The linebackers usually call the plays on defense to tell all the players where to go on the field. The lineman may shift on the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped as long as they don’t cross. Defensive lineman may also double team a player to open up a gap for the linebacker to blitz on.

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:American football positions]]

In some defenses, the defensive end has "outside containment" responsibilities, where they are given the job of making sure that the ball does not pass outside of them.