OL

Sports abbreviation · American Football

OL
Stands forOffensive line
CategoriesSports

OL stands for Offensive line, an American football abbreviation.

The five offensive players who line up on the line of scrimmage to block: a center, two guards and two tackles. They protect the quarterback on passes and open running lanes; OL also refers to a single offensive lineman.

Example: Injuries forced the team to start a third-string OL against the league's best pass rush.

Usage notes

Linemen usually wear numbers 50 through 79 and are ineligible to catch forward passes unless they report as eligible to the referee. Offensive lines are judged on sacks allowed, pressure rate and run blocking. Also written "O-line".

More American football abbreviations

  • LT – Left tackle
  • MLB – Middle linebacker
  • NFC – National Football Conference
  • NT – Nose tackle
  • OC – Offensive coordinator
  • OG – Offensive guard
  • OLB – Outside linebacker
  • OPOY – Offensive Player of the Year
  • OROY – Offensive Rookie of the Year
  • OT – Offensive tackle
  • OTA – Organized team activities
  • P – Punter

See all 80 American football abbreviations →

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