Lineman (gridiron football)

Not to be confused withdefense line.

A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen (in 4-3 formation) in red and offensive linemen in green.

Ingridiron football,alinemanis a player who specializes in play at theline of scrimmage.The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are theoffensive line,while linemen on the opposing team are thedefensive line.A number ofNFLrules specifically address restrictions and requirements for the offensive line, whose job is to help protect thequarterbackfrom gettingsackedfor a loss, or worse,fumbling.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 thanskill positions.

Offensive line

The offensive line consists of thecenter,who is responsible forsnappingthe ball into play, twoguardswho flank the center, and twooffensive tacklesflanking these guards. In addition, a full offensive line may also include atight endoutside one or both of the tackles.

TheGreen Bay Packersoffensive line

An offensive lineman's motion during a play is often limited to just a few quick steps (typically from athree-point stance) to establish position, followed by a wrestling match similar tosumo.Occasionally, some linemen may chase down targets, but this is largely limited to only a few, such asTrent WilliamsorAndrew Thomas.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 willpullby 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 toguards.

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.

When an offensive line has an equal number of men on either side of the center, it is known as abalanced line.Theinterior offensive lineconsists of the center and guards.

Offensive linemen are not eligible to catch 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. Ends (tight endsandwide receivers) are eligible to catch passes. One exception to this rule is whenever atackle-eligible playis executed, but such a play must be announced by therefereebeforehand.

Run

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.

Pass

Onpassingplays, the offensive line is responsible for stopping defensive players from tackling the quarterback before he has thrown the ball. Stopping these players indefinitely is usually not possible, so the main objective of the offensive line is to slow them down, providing the quarterback with several seconds to identify an open receiver and throw the ball.

ThePittsburgh Steelersoffensive line

Defensive line

"Defensive line" redirects here. Not to be confused withDefense lineorThree lines of defence.

TheMontreal Alouettesoffensive line (left) and theCalgary Stampedersdefensive line (right)

The defensive line consists of one or twodefensive tacklesand twodefensive endswho play outside the defensive tackles. The defensive line works with thelinebackersto try to control theline of scrimmage.The4-3 defense,most commonly used in the NFL, employs two defensive tackles (and a defensive line of four men, with threelinebackersbehind them), while the3-4 defenseuses just a single defensive tackle, called thenose 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.

On passing plays, the defensive line tries to reach thequarterback.Ideally, the defensive players are able to tackle the quarterback for a loss (asack), 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 skilledpass rusherson the team. In order to increase the pressure on the quarterback, teams will often have players other than the defensive line attempt to tackle the quarterback; this is called ablitz.

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.

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.