What is a nose tackle in American football and what is their role?

What is a nose tackle in American football and what is their role?

Claudia Kogi
updated at July 20, 2023 at 4:06 AM

In every given sport, several terminologies are often used to refer to a position or play. For instance, in soccer, there are terms like, off-side, corner, penalties, midfielders, forwards, defenders, and so on. Well, there is a "nose tackle" term in American football, and most fans are unaware of what precisely the nose tackle in football is or what he does.

What is a nose tackle in football?
Middle guard Davon Godchaux (92) congratulates defensive end Deatrich Wise (91) during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on 25 September 2022 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Fred Kfoury III
Source: Getty Images

Like soccer, basketball, hockey, and baseball, every position is vital for every team's success. Whether it is defending the ball from getting scored, an opponent from getting the ball, the ball from crossing specific lines, or getting out f the court. All these roles are vital as far as a team's success is concerned.

What is a nose tackle in football?

Among the many positions on a football defensive line, the nose tackle is the least discussed, despite their highly vital role. The nose tackle, also referred to as NT, is a defensive lineman who lines up in the middle of the line, usually between the defensive end and the defensive tackle.

The middle guard is typically the heaviest and strongest of these linemen and is often responsible for stopping the run by occupying the space between the offensive linemen. As a result, it allows the other opponent players to make moves.

What is another name for a nose tackle?

Nose tackles in American football are also known as middle guards.

What is another name for a nose tackle?
Los Angeles Rams nose tackle, Michael Brockers (90), tackles the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL Wild Card Playoff game on 6 January 2018, in Los Angeles. Photo: Tom Hauck
Source: Getty Images

What position is a nose tackle?

Is a nose tackle on offense or defense? A middle guard is a position used by the defense. They line up directly opposite the offense's centre. Therefore, they are on the defensive line.

What does a nose tackle do?

Now that you are familiar with what a middle guard is in American football, do you know the other kind of roles he plays? Below are several roles these middle guards play in every given match.

  • Controlling the line of scrimmage.
  • Stopping the opposing team's running game.
  • Occupying blockers to free up other players.
  • Absorbing and redirecting powerful blocks while maintaining their ground and keeping their balance

Why do they call it a nose tackle?

The name comes from their central alignment on the field, position-wise. At the start of the play, they are always positioned directly over the nose or centre of the football pitch.

What is a nose tackle in football
Indianapolis Colts nose tackle, Al Woods (99), during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks on 1 October 2017 in Seattle. Photo: Tom Hauck
Source: Getty Images

What is the size of a nose tackle?

Since this position requires some of the heaviest and strongest defensive linemen and players, factors such as weight and height are often considered. Most of these middle guards typically stand between 6 feet and 6 feet 3 inches, which is equivalent to 183-191 centimetres. In terms of weight, they should weigh between 300 and 350 pounds.

However, in as much as they ought to be heavy, they are also supposed to be fast and powerful enough to compete with a centre and or a guard.

What is the difference between defensive tackle and nose tackle?

In a 4-3 defense, there are two DTs in the interior of the line, while in a 3-4 defense, there is only one tackle, the middle guard.

Who are the top 5 best NFL defensive tackles?

Since the sport's inception, the greatest of all-time, DTs have emerged and are still emerging in every particular season.

What is a nose tackle in football?
Robert Thomas (99) tackles New England Patriots quarterback, Jacoby Brissett, during the first half of a pre-season NFL football game on 31 August 2017 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Photo: Christopher Evans
Source: Getty Images

5. Warren Sapp - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995-2003) and Oakland Raiders (2004-2007)

  • One-time Super Bowl champion
  • Voted to seven Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro four times
  • 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

4. Randy White - Dallas Cowboys (1975-1988)

  • One-time Super Bowl champion
  • Super Bowl XII co-MVP
  • Voted to nine Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times

3. Merlin Olsen - Los Angeles Rams (1962-1977)

  • Voted to 14 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
  • 1962 NFL Rookie of the Year
  • Enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

2. 'Mean' Joe Greene - Pittsburgh Steelers (1969-1981)

  • Four-time Super Bowl champion
  • Voted to 10 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro five times
  • Two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
What is a nose tackle in football?
Nose tackle Vince Wilfork (75) runs on the field during a game against the Denver Broncos on 24 October 2016 at Sports Authority Field in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Dustin Bradford
Source: Getty Images

1. Bob Lilly - Dallas Cowboys (1961-1974)

  • One-time Super Bowl champion
  • Voted to 11 Pro Bowls, First Team All-Pro seven times
  • NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team

Now that you are equipped with the correct information about what a nose tackle in American football is, it will be more than clear what roles they play in any given football match. Is your favourite player a nose tackle?

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.