Offensive Line · OT
Offensive Tackle
The tackles guard the edges — and the left tackle guards the quarterback's blindside. They're the tallest, longest, most athletic linemen, built to handle the best pass rushers in the game.
Offensive tackles play on the ends of the line (left tackle and right tackle) and have the hardest job in pass protection: handling edge rushers in space. The left tackle traditionally protects a right-handed quarterback's blindside — the side he can't see — which is why it's historically the most valued and highest-paid line position. Tackles take on the speed rushers, and a beaten tackle means a sack from a place the QB never sees coming.
That's why tackles are built differently: the tallest and longest linemen, with the quickest feet, because they pass-set in space against rushers trying to run the arc. In the run game they drive-block, reach on zone, and seal the edge. The whole position is about getting to your spot on a 45° set, staying square, and using length to control a rusher you can't out-muscle.
What the offensive tackle does
- Pass-protect the edge — handle speed rushers in space (LT = the blindside).
- Get to your spot on a 45° set; stay square and use length.
- Drive- and reach-block to seal the edge in the run game.
- Anchor against the bull rush and answer the counter.
Traits that matter
- Length (arm length) and height to control edge rushers.
- Foot quickness and balance in the pass set.
- The patience to set to a spot and read the rusher.
- Anchor strength against power.
How big is a offensive tackle?
Tackles are the tallest, longest linemen — commonly 6'4"–6'7" at the college and pro levels — because length wins on the edge. See the measurables table for size by level.
See the measurables table →How the job is coached
Key terms for the offensive tackle
- 45° set
- Coach Jay's default pass set — kick on a 45° angle to close the rusher's path and meet him square at your spot, instead of dropping straight back (the vertical set).
- Kick-slide
- A pass-set technique where the outside foot kicks back and the inside foot slides to keep a square base.
- Reach block
- A block where the lineman gets his head past the defender's playside shoulder to seal him.
- Anchor
- To stop a bull rush by sinking the hips and widening the base.
- Speed rush
- An edge-based pass rush — outside leverage and acceleration to run the arc around the tackle.
Position questions
- What does an offensive tackle do?
- The offensive tackle protects the edge of the line, mainly in pass protection against speed rushers in space. The left tackle traditionally guards a right-handed quarterback's blindside — the most valued line job. Tackles get to a spot on a 45° pass set, stay square, and use length to control the rusher; in the run game they drive- and reach-block to seal the edge.
- Why is left tackle so important?
- The left tackle protects a right-handed quarterback's blindside — the side he can't see while looking downfield. A beaten left tackle gives up a sack the QB never sees coming, which is the most dangerous kind, so the position is historically the most valued and highest-paid on the line.
- What makes a good offensive tackle?
- Length, foot quickness, balance, and patience. Tackles can't out-muscle elite edge rushers in space, so they win by getting to their spot on a 45° set, staying square, and using arm length to control the rusher — then anchoring against the bull and answering the counter.