1891 Offensive Line Defined

Because one of the offensive forwards in a scrimmage was allowed to pass the ball back with his foot, he became known as the "snapperback." Later, because he played in the center of seven forwards or "rushers", he became known as the "Center". Since the defensive rushers were permitted to attack him as he passed the ball with his foot actually squirting it back suddenly on its end he needed protection from his own rushers at either side of him. Because, in effect they "guarded" the center, they became known as guards. It was inevitable, of course, that the rushers at either extreme would be called "end men" and then simply ends, and because the men between the ends and the guards had the best position for making tackles, they eventually earned the name of tackle (leckie, 1965). Offensive line play, as spelled out in American Football and told by Walter CAmp (1891), would consist of seven positions: a center or snapper-back, two guards, two tackles and two ends. Coach CAmpbell