The offensive line is one of the most critical positions in football. It requires a relentless and unselfish attitude. The offensive line is also one of the most technical positions in football.
In this article, we’re going to show you how to play offensive line in football and how you can become the best offensive lineman on your team.
Offensive Line Positions In Football
There are five offensive line positions in football: Left Tackle (LT), Left Guard (LG), Center (C), Right Guard (RG), and Right Tackle (RT). Their job is to block for the quarterback when he drops back to pass or block for the running backs.
The offensive line (OL) works as a unit to execute the plays the coach calls. These players are typically the biggest (in weight and height) on the field.
Each offensive position is equally important because they help protect the quarterback and running back from defensive hits.
Below, we will teach you how to play offensive line in football and why offensive linemen are so important to every offense.
Offensive Line Blocking Types
Run blocking is one of the core techniques of playing the offensive line. It requires impeccable technique and the tenacity to move players on the defensive line out of the way.
Run blocking requires proper steps, hand placement, and shoulder placement.
There are three main types of blocks for an offensive lineman:
Down Block (Gap Block)
The down block, otherwise known as a back block, is a 45-degree angle block.
This block is typically used when an offensive lineman pulls, and the offensive lineman needs to fill for them.
This block requires the offensive lineman to fire off at a 45-degree angle, put both hands on the defensive lineman’s shoulder and chest plate, and place the head across their body.
If the offensive player does this block correctly, the defensive lineman is pushed out and away from the play.
Base Block
Man on man, this block is a power block requiring an offensive lineman to block a defensive line straight up.
No angles are needed on this block, as the defensive player is lined up directly across from the offensive player. The goal is to get lower than the defensive lineman and remove him from the line of scrimmage.
This technique requires a wide base, hand placement underneath the shoulder pads of the defensive lineman, and strong exploding from the hips.
Hinge Block
The hinge block is a leverage block that offensive linemen use on the backside of gap scheme plays. For example, if the offensive line is running “power”, the backside guard will pull to the playside.
To ensure no players blitz through or penetrate through the gap that the guard created by pulling, the backside tackle will turn his hips and cut off any angles in the gap.
Pull Block
The last block is a pull block. This block is when the offensive lineman comes out of his stance, often running or skipping laterally, to block the defensive lineman.
The pull block is often used to remove the defensive end from setting the edge of the defense.
This block requires precise timing and control as the offensive lineman moves toward the defensive end.
A skip pull is when the offensive lineman moves laterally to start, then moves upfield to block a linebacker. This is a common technique used in the offensive play “power.”
How To Pass Block In Football
Pass blocking is a technique used to prevent the defensive lineman from getting a sack on the quarterback.
This requires an offensive lineman to fire off the ball, using hand placement and foot quickness to stop a pass rusher from getting at the quarterback.
You need to be quick enough to get under their hands and beyond them to stop the defensive pass rushers.
You also need to control their moves by blocking them with your arms, sometimes with a shoulder or a hip.
To strike on a pass block, have your thumbs facing the sky, which perfectly fits on the opponent’s breastplate. Striking the breastplate allows you to grab it and control the offensive lineman.
Remember, it’s a penalty if you hold them while they try to move away from you.
If you keep the defensive player in front of you while your feet are moving with them, then it is perfectly legal.
Offensive Lineman Attitude
Offensive linemen need to be the most selfless people on the team. They don’t get stats and will hardly ever touch the ball.
However, they are very important to the offense in moving the football down the field. If one offensive lineman fails, there’s a good chance the play will be ruined.
Inside our membership vIQtory Pro, you’ll find exact instructions and tutorials on how to turn average offensive linemen into physical, dominating forces that own the line of scrimmage.
For more offensive line resources, read these next:
How To Snap A Football & The Different Types Of Snaps
Offensive Line Play: The Proper Stance