Guard (American football)

The positioning of the offensive guards in an offensive formation.

In American and Canadian football, a guard (G) is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team.

The guard's job is to protect quarterback from the incoming defensive line and linebackers during pass plays, as well as creating openings (holes) for the running backs to head through. Guards perform speed blocking and "pulling"—sprinting out in front of a running back in order to block for him. Guards are automatically considered ineligible receivers, so they cannot intentionally touch a forward pass, unless it is to recover a fumble or is first touched by a defender or eligible receiver.

Guards, like other linemen, today are often over 300 pounds (135 kg). To date, no lineman over 300 pounds has ever been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but linemen of this size have become prevalent only since the mid-1980s.

Right guards (RG) is the term for the guards on the right of the offensive line, while left guards (LG) are on the left.

Positions in American football and Canadian football
Offense			Defense			Special teams
Linemen	Guard, Tackle, Center		Linemen	Tackle, End, Nose tackle		Kicking players	Placekicker, Punter, Kickoff specialist
Quarterback			Linebackers			Snapping	Long snapper, Holder
Backs	Halfback (Tailback), Fullback, H-back		Backs	Cornerback, Safety		Returning	Punt returner, Kick returner
Receivers	Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback			Nickelback, Dimeback		Tackling	Gunner
Formations – Nomenclature