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. Currently, the heaviest guard is free agent Toniu Fonoti, weighing 360 pounds (160 kg). The lightest is Pete Kendall at 280 pounds (127 kg) (formerly of the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, now playing for the Washington Redskins). To date, no lineman over 300 pounds has ever been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but linemen of this mass have become prevalent only since the mid-1980s.
[edit] Right guard
Right guards (RG) are in the right of the offensive line. Similar to right tackles.
[edit] Left guard
Left guards (LG) are in the left of the offensive line. Right next to the center on the left of him.
| 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, Fullback, H-back | Backs | Cornerback, Safety | Returning | Punt returner, Kick returner |
| Receivers | Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback | Nickelback, Dimeback | Tackling | Gunner |
| Formations - Nomenclature |
Guards for life is a ritual between 2 of messalonskee finest guards ever and notably the best in the nation. #61? for life.