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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
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plays, 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
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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
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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.
183:. 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
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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
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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
393:(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.
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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.
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on 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 a
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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.
246:. 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.
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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.
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rules specifically address restrictions and requirements for the offensive line, whose job is to help protect the
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A diagram of the linemen, with defensive linemen (in 4-3 formation) in red and offensive linemen in green.
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An offensive lineman's motion during a play is often limited to just a few quick steps (typically from a
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When an offensive line has an equal number of men on either side of the center, it is known as a
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flanking these guards. In addition, a full offensive line may also include a
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Player in gridiron football who specializes in play at the line of scrimmage
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defensive tackles are usually the most skilled run defenders on the team.
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who play outside the defensive tackles. The defensive line works with the
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284:) are eligible to catch passes. One exception to this rule is whenever a
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159:. The linemen of the team currently in possession of the ball are the
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525:"2017 NFL Draft: Lamp leads O-line class short on top talent"
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334:"Defensive line" redirects here. Not to be confused with
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seconds to identify an open receiver and throw the ball.
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On passing plays, the defensive line tries to reach the
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is executed, but such a play must be announced by the
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249:On some running plays, an offensive lineman will
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389:uses just a single defensive tackle, called the
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163:, while linemen on the opposing team are the
155:is a player who specializes in play at the
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553:"What is a Defensive Lineman in Football?"
361:The defensive line consists of one or two
127:Learn how and when to remove this message
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490:"What Is a Pancake Block in Football?"
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215:outside one or both of the tackles.
65:adding citations to reliable sources
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458:Bishop, Greg (September 12, 2004).
272:consists of the center and guards.
195:The offensive line consists of the
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523:Zierlein, Lance (April 14, 2017).
460:"Sumo wrestlers...or NFL linemen?"
441:"NFL Beginner's Guide to Football"
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76:"Lineman" gridiron football
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52:needs additional citations for
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353:offensive line (left) and the
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551:Fischer, Ezra (2013-07-31).
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512:. Taylor & Francis.
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270:interior offensive line
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340:Three lines of defence
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179:for a loss, or worse,
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286:tackle-eligible play
61:improve this article
323:Pittsburgh Steelers
704:Kickoff specialist
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355:Calgary Stampeders
351:Montreal Alouettes
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232:three-point stance
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753:Halfback/Tailback
612:Canadian football
608:American football
470:on March 15, 2015
375:line of scrimmage
363:defensive tackles
224:Green Bay Packers
209:offensive tackles
157:line of scrimmage
149:gridiron football
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226:offensive line
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167:. A number of
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879:Nomenclature
737:Long snapper
719:Game manager
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560:. Retrieved
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468:the original
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59:Please help
54:verification
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32:defense line
715:Dual-threat
711:Quarterback
696:Placekicker
686:Edge rusher
674:Nose tackle
402:quarterback
391:nose tackle
387:3-4 defense
383:linebackers
379:4-3 defense
371:linebackers
173:quarterback
868:Formations
825:Receivers
803:Returning
795:Nickelback
783:Cornerback
729:Linebacker
562:2023-01-04
536:October 5,
494:Livestrong
427:References
278:tight ends
87:newspapers
849:Tackling
837:Tight end
733:Snapping
604:Positions
213:tight end
117:June 2007
900:Category
883:Strategy
841:Slotback
833:Eligible
799:Dimeback
791:Halfback
773:Wingback
765:Fullback
509:Football
474:June 24,
365:and two
201:snapping
181:fumbling
861:Utility
691:Kicking
669:Linemen
651:Linemen
637:Defense
625:Offense
530:NFL.com
311:passing
290:referee
153:lineman
101:scholar
857:Upback
853:Gunner
815:Jammer
787:Safety
769:H-back
741:Holder
723:System
700:Punter
678:Tackle
664:Center
656:Tackle
377:. The
268:. The
256:guards
205:guards
197:center
177:sacked
103:
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89:
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819:Upman
778:Backs
660:Guard
414:blitz
108:JSTOR
94:books
873:List
610:and
538:2017
476:2017
406:sack
349:The
321:The
305:Pass
280:and
251:pull
236:sumo
222:The
151:, a
80:news
845:End
835:),
763:),
682:End
606:in
338:or
309:On
296:Run
242:or
169:NFL
147:In
63:by
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