Offensive guards are an integral part of a football team's offensive line. Their primary role is to protect the quarterback and create openings for the running backs. The position requires a unique set of qualities that make a player successful on the field. In this post, we will discuss the best qualities of an guard for a football team's offensive line.
The ideal weight and height for an offensive guard vary depending on the specific team's offensive scheme and style of play. In general, an offensive guard should weigh between 300 to 330 pounds and stand between 6’ 3” to 6’ 5” tall. These measurements allow for a player to have the necessary mass and leverage to hold their ground against defensive linemen while still being able to move and adjust quickly in different situations.
To provide a comparison, offensive tackles have average heights between 6' 4" and 6' 7" and average weights of 300 to 345 pounds. Centers typically stand 6' 2" to 6' 4" with weight between 280 and 320 pounds.
Guards need a lot of qualities to be successful, chief among those are strength and power. They need to be able to hold their ground against a defensive lineman who is trying to run over or through them. A guard should have strong legs and be able to use their lower body to drive forward and create movement. Upper body strength is also crucial as they will be engaging in hand-to-hand combat with defensive linemen.
They also need to be quick and agile. It’s very important that they can move laterally to block defenders and adjust to different situations on the field. Quickness is especially important when the offense is running a zone blocking scheme, which requires linemen to quickly move laterally to create holes for the running back, or a gap scheme where the guards will pull a lot. It’s not as important how fast a guard can run the 40 yard dash compared to how fast they can cover 3-4 yards.
Playing guard is also a mentally challenging position. The best offensive guards have a high level of mental toughness and work ethic. They need to be able to handle the physical toll of playing on the offensive line, as well as the mental stress of playing in high-pressure situations. A strong work ethic is also crucial as offensive guards need to be able to put in the time and effort to perfect their technique and improve their performance on the field.
Offensive guards, as with all offensive linemen, need to be intelligent players with a strong football IQ. They need to understand the playbook, know their assignments, and be able to make adjustments on the fly. Offensive guards must also be able to read the defense, recognize blitzes and stunts, and adjust their blocking assignments accordingly.
Handling defensive twists and stunts is an essential skill that offensive guards must possess to be successful on the field. Defensive twists and stunts are designed to confuse the offensive line by having the defensive linemen switch their gaps and responsibilities. As a result, it is crucial for offensive guards to be able to recognize and react to these twists and stunts to protect the quarterback and create holes for the running back.
Defensive stunts and twists are designed to confuse and disrupt the offensive line's blocking assignments. A twist is a coordinated movement between two or more defensive linemen, where they exchange responsibilities and cross paths while rushing the quarterback. A stunt is a similar movement but involves one or more defensive players changing their rush angle, creating confusion for the offensive linemen and attempting to create a gap in the protection.
To successfully defend against stunts and twists, offensive linemen need to communicate effectively and be aware of the defensive alignment before the snap. The center will often make line calls, identifying the defensive front and potential blitzers. The guards and tackles will communicate with each other, calling out any potential twists or stunts they see from the defensive line.
Once the ball is snapped, offensive linemen need to maintain their assignments while being aware of potential twists and stunts. If a defender changes their rush angle, the offensive lineman responsible for blocking them must quickly adjust their blocking technique to maintain control. Communication and awareness are crucial in preventing defenders from getting through the line and disrupting the play.
Proper technique is crucial when it comes to handling defensive twists and stunts. Offensive guards need to use their hands to control the defensive linemen and stay square to the line of scrimmage. They must also be able to move laterally and adjust their blocking assignments as the play develops. Maintaining proper leverage is also critical in handling twists and stunts, as offensive guards need to stay low and keep their center of gravity over their feet to prevent being knocked off balance.
Footwork is another critical aspect of handling defensive twists and stunts. Offensive guards need to be able to move their feet quickly and efficiently to maintain their position and adjust to changing defensive schemes. Proper footwork allows them to stay in front of the defensive linemen and prevent them from penetrating into the backfield.
Handling defensive twists and stunts is a skill that requires practice and repetition. Offensive guards must work on their recognition, communication, technique, and footwork in practice to prepare for game situations. Coaches can simulate different defensive schemes and provide feedback to help offensive guards improve their skills.
Pulling is an important technique often used by guards to create space for the ball carrier and open up running lanes. Pulling involves the offensive guard leaving their original position and moving towards the point of attack to block a defender or create a lane for the ball carrier.
Here are some reasons why pulling is an important skill for an offensive guard:
Creates an extra blocker: By pulling and moving to the point of attack, the offensive guard creates an extra blocker at the point of attack. This extra blocker can help open up running lanes and give the ball carrier more space to run.
Adds deception to the offense: When an offensive guard pulls, it can create confusion for the defense. The defense may not know which direction the ball is going and can be caught off guard, leading to big gains for the offense.
Increases versatility of the offensive line: Offensive guards who can pull effectively add versatility to the offensive line. Coaches can use different running plays that require pulling, which can keep the defense guessing and prevent them from keying in on specific plays.
Provides opportunities for big plays: When an offensive guard pulls and creates an open running lane, it can lead to big plays for the offense. With more space to run, the ball carrier can potentially break a long run and score a touchdown.
To be effective at pulling, an offensive guard needs to have quick footwork, good lateral movement, and the ability to read the defense and adjust their blocking assignment on the fly. They also need to be able to maintain good leverage and balance while blocking defenders in motion. With practice and repetition, offensive guards can develop the skills necessary to effectively pull and contribute to their team's success on the field.
To be successful as a guard, here are some primary techniques that are important to master:
Hand Placement: Good hand placement is essential for an offensive guard to maintain leverage and control against defensive linemen. The offensive guard must keep their hands inside the defender's pads, as this will give them better leverage and control over the defender. The guard should keep their thumbs up and fingers together, as this provides a stronger grip. A good guard will use their hands to steer the defender, redirect their momentum, and control their movements.
Footwork: Footwork is crucial for a guard as they need to be able to move quickly in all directions, both laterally and vertically. A guard needs to be able to shuffle their feet to maintain proper spacing between themselves and the defender, and pivot to adjust their blocking angle. A good guard will have a strong first step and the ability to quickly reset their feet, maintaining balance and control while blocking.
Pad Level: Pad level refers to the position of the player's helmet and shoulders in relation to their hips and knees. Maintaining a low pad level helps the offensive guard to generate power and leverage to block defenders effectively. If a guard has a high pad level, they will be easier for the defender to overpower, resulting in missed blocks. The guard should keep their hips low, their back straight, and their eyes up. They should engage the defender and drive their legs while keeping good pad level.
Balance: Balance is essential for a guard to maintain control and stability while blocking. A balanced stance allows a guard to adjust to the defender's movement while maintaining control and stability. The guard should keep their feet shoulder-width apart and their weight evenly distributed between both feet. They should keep their hips low and their center of gravity balanced. If a defender tries to push them off balance, the guard must be able to recover quickly and maintain their position.
Awareness: Good offensive guards have a high level of awareness, which allows them to read and react to the defense's movements and adjust their blocking assignments accordingly. They must be aware of the defensive schemes and able to identify potential blitzes or stunts, which could disrupt the play. Guards must communicate effectively with the rest of the offensive line to ensure everyone is on the same page. They should be able to recognize and react quickly to changes in the defensive scheme, adjusting their blocking assignment to ensure the play's success
By mastering these primary techniques, an offensive guard can become a valuable asset to their team and help create opportunities for their offense to succeed. Practice, repetition, and a strong work ethic are essential for any offensive guard looking to excel at their position.
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