The phrase "middle guard" most commonly refers to a position in American football, where the player is situated in the center of the offensive line. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to describe this same position, such as "center," "pivot," "snapback," or "long snapper." These terms all describe the player's role in snapping the ball to the quarterback, and their importance in protecting the quarterback from the opposing defensive line. In other contexts, the term "middle guard" may refer to a defensive position in sports like basketball or volleyball, which might also be described as the "center," "post," or "blocker".