A pulling guard will be asked to abandon his normal assignment for a different assignment on the field. For example, instead of going straight ahead to block an opposing defensive tackle or help block a defensive end on his side of the field, the guard may need to pull to the other side of the field and block a tackle, end or even a linebacker.

In most playbooks, guards pull for outside runs as a lead blocker, such as a sweep play, and on counter plays, where the far-side guard pulls to block a play-side lineman. Since the guard is free of responsibility for play-side outside runs and far-side counter plays, pulling is generally a unique responsibility for guards.

A unique responsibility of guards is a blocking technique called pulling. In addition to quickly blocking at the line of scrimmage, guards may be asked to “pull” by leaving their typical blocking position and moving to serve as a blocker on the opposite side or the field or downfield.

With a shorter distance to pull, trap is a fast play that intentionally leaves an interior defensive lineman unblocked. That defensive tackle then gets “trapped” by the pulling backside guard. Leaving the defensive tackle unblocked allows for an interior offensive lineman to immediately climb to the second level.