For a right-handed quarterback, the left tackle is charged with protecting the quarterback from being hit from behind (known as the "blind side"), and this is usually the most skilled player on the offensive line. The area from one tackle to the other is an area of "close line play" in which blocks from behind, which are prohibited elsewhere on the field, are allowed. Their role is primarily to block on both running and passing plays. In such cases, the guard is referred to as a "pulling guard". On some plays, rather than blocking straight ahead, a guard will "pull", whereby the guard comes out of their position in line to lead block for a ball carrier, on plays known as " traps" (for inside runs), " sweeps" (for outside runs), and " screens" (for passing plays). Like all interior linemen, their function is to block on both running and passing plays. Two guards line up directly on opposite sides of the center. The center often also has the responsibility to call out blocking assignments and make last second adjustments depending on the defensive alignment. Like all offensive linemen, the center has the responsibility to block defensive players. As the name suggests, the center usually plays in the middle of the offensive line, though some teams may employ an unbalanced line where the center is offset to one side. The center is the player who begins the play from scrimmage by snapping the ball to the quarterback. During normal play, offensive linemen do not handle the ball (aside from the snap from center), unless the ball is fumbled by a ball carrier, a pass is deflected, or a player who is normally an offensive lineman takes a different position on the field. The offensive line is primarily responsible for blocking the defensive line of the opposition, in order to protect their own quarterback. Offensive (interior) line (IOL) The offensive line (on left, in orange jerseys) consists of a center (with ball in hand ready to snap) with two guards on either side, and two tackles. The following positions are standard in nearly every game, though different teams will use different arrangements of them, dependent on their individual game plans. Within these strictures, however, creative coaches have developed a wide array of offensive formations to take advantage of different player skills and game situations. The remaining players (known as "interior linemen") are "ineligible" to catch forward passes. These players make up the " skill positions" and are also referred to as " eligible receivers" or "eligible ball carriers". The only players eligible to handle the ball during a normal play are the backs and the two players on the end of the line (the "ends"). The organization of the offense is strictly mandated by the rules of the sport: there must be at least seven players on the line of scrimmage and no more than four players (known collectively as "backs") behind it. The eleven players of the offense can be separated into two main groups: the five offensive linemen, whose primary job is to block opponents and protect their quarterback, and the other six backs and receivers, whose primary job is to move the ball down the field by either running with it or passing it. In American football, the offense is the team that has possession of the ball and is advancing toward the opponent's end zone to score points. Within these three separate "platoons", various positions exist depending on the jobs that the players are doing.
This has resulted in the development of three task-specific "platoons" of players within any single team: the offense (the team with possession of the ball, which is trying to score), the defense (the team trying to prevent the other team from scoring, and to take the ball from them), and "special teams" (who play in all kicking situations). Under the modern rules of American football, both teams are allowed 11 players on the field at one time and have "unlimited free substitutions", meaning that they may change any number of players during any "dead ball" situation. In American football, the specific role that a player takes on the field is referred to as their "position".
Specific roles that players take in American footballĪ diagram showing an I formation on offense and a 4-3 formation on defense