DEFENSE

In my opinion, Defense is a little easier to understand. The entire 11 players on the defensive side, have two purposes; stop whoever has the ball, be it the quarterback, running back or receiver and try to get the ball back by causing a Turnover*. You have the bigger guys up front: Defensive Ends, Nose Tackle, and Inside and Outside Linebackers. They are all very muscular; usually tall, fast and stealthy. Behind them are the leaner players: Corners, and Safeties; built for agility and speed.

EXAMPLE OF THE SET UPS AND DESCRIPTION OF PLAYERS BELOW:

Anything with a * beside it refer back to terms

The 3–4 Defense is a basic arrangement involving 3 Defensive Linemen (DL) in a Three-Point Stance* on the line of scrimmage and 4 Linebackers (LB) in a Two-Point Stance,* lined up behind the Defensive Line. Remember there are other defensive arrangements such as the 4-3 defense which is explained below.

The 4-3 Defense evolved from offenses throwing more. There are two Defensive Tackles (DT) in the Three-Point Stance* in the middle of the line of scrimmage, and two Defensive Ends (DE) on either end, in the Two-Point Stance.* They are there to create pressure on the Quarterback. The three Linebackers behind the Defensive Line are there to stop the run and drop into pass coverage (help cover the Wide Receiver if the Quarterback throws him the ball).

The Secondary* however are always lined up close to the side lines in front of a Wide Receiver or behind the Linebackers in the middle of the field. They defend against the pass from the Quarterback to the wide receiver and help to stop the run.

Heading The defense is aloud to move around right before the ball is snapped, sometimes they might end up in a straight line…you never know.

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Defensive Line (DL) is the first line of defense and consists of three or four players who line up opposite the offensive line on the line of scrimmage. There are Defensive Ends (DE), Defensive Tackles (DT), and a Nose Tackle (NT). Their job is to take on the Offensive Lineman and defeat them at the point of attack. Also, to rush the Quarterback (aka “passer”), tackle the ball carriers; usually Running Backs, Full Backs and occasionally a Quarterback, coming through the Offensive Line. If a player is on the Defensive Line, they are generally quick thinking, agile, large and strong.

LINEBACKER

The Linebacker (LB) backs the Defensive Line. This position includes: Outside Linebackers (OLB) and Inside Linebackers (ILB), aka: Middle Linebackers (MLB). Depending on how the Offensive Line is lined up, there could be three or four on the field. OLB’s stand to the outside of the DE’s. ILB’s align 2-3 yards behind the Defensive Line. Their responsibility is tackling Running Backs, Tight Ends, sometimes Wide Receivers and also rushing the passer. LB’s have to very quickly diagnose the play called by the offense and key in on who is carrying the ball and where they are trying to come thru the Offensive Line. One of the ILB’s usually has a “wire/mike” in his helmet to listen to a defensive coach who is calling the “defensive play.” This wired player relates to the rest of the Defensive Line what the coach says. LB’s have to be smart, strong and fast.

CORNERBACK

Cornerbacks (CB) are Defensive Backs (DB’s). They usually the fastest player on defense. There are usually two to four CB’s on the field. They have to be able to play against the run and pass game. CB’s may have to tackle running backs when they break through the line of scrimmage and break up passes thrown down the field while redirecting a wide receiver’s route. They are often called on to go after the Quarterback as well because of their quickness. They must also be able to make plays on the ball such as, knocking it down out of the air or intercepting* it. CB’s have excellent foot quickness, strong hands and are efficient tacklers.a

SAFETY

There are “two” Safety (S) positions: The Strong Safety (SS) and the Free Safety (FS). The SS is usually a bigger defender and is more physical at the point of attack. They are usually responsible for covering Tight Ends, Running Backs, and Wide Receivers. SS’splay down the field, however, are often expected to come up closer to the line of scrimmage to help stop the run. The SS is usually taller, strong, and fast. The FS has similar duties but is commonly considered the center fielder; the last line of defense before the offense makes a first down or gets into the Endzone*. He is also responsible for getting the Secondary*

aligned in their proper positions. A Safety is a fast thinker, fast runner, great endurance, and skillful tackler.