How to Play Tackle in Football

Offensive linemen are the work horses of American football. The thoroughbred running backs may get the glory, but it is the Clydesdale linemen that make things work. Recently, one of the offensive line positions was pulled from the ranks of obscurity by "The Blind Side," a book by Michael Lewis. The book documents how the left tackle on an NFL football team is the second highest paid position—right after the quarterback. Learn what it takes to play the position of tackle.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Grow to an average height of more than six and a half feet and a weight of greater than 300 pounds.

2. Maintain your agility and foot speed so that even with that size, you can lead a running back and make blocks as far as 40 yards down field.

3. Learn the intricacies of blocking patterns for whatever offense your team runs. This means that you must be able to recognize your responsibility on each play without being told the specific responsibility. This is called "reading defensive keys."

4. Develop a working relationship with the other offensive linemen such that you work as a cohesive unit. Recognize that your greatest tribute will be for the public address announcer to never call your individual name and number. The only time your name and number are announced is when you have made some sort of a mistake.

5. Develop a personality that can withstand a game-long pounding by a defensive player. Often, your job is a basically a passive acceptance of that pounding, interposing yourself between the defense and your quarterback or running back.

6. Develop the intricate skills of hand-to-hand combat used by offensive and defensive linemen, realizing that on any given play, a referee could probably single you out for an infraction like "holding." Learn how an experienced lineman develops an instinct for what will be tolerated in any given game.

7. Learn to play with pain because typically, the offensive line is the thinnest position with regard to backup players.

Tips & Warnings

• The left tackle is the second highest paid position because most NFL quarterbacks are right-handed. This means that as they throw a pass, they have a large blind spot at their back—to the left side of the offensive line. Talented left tackles are sought after to protect talented quarterbacks.

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Resources

• ESPN Website Article Describing How High School Level Tackles Are Evaluated