Guard (gridiron football)

A guard (G), also called an offensive guard and subcategorized as a left guard (LG) or right guard (RG), is a gridiron football position that lines up between the center and tackles on the offensive line. Guards are used primarily for blocking. The guard's job is to protect the quarterback from the incoming linemen during pass plays, as well as creating openings (holes) for the running backs to head through. Guards are automatically considered ineligible receivers, so they cannot touch forward passes unless it is first touched by a defender or eligible receiver.