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Defense

The job of the defense is to stop the offense. The 11 men on the defensive team all work together to keep the offense from advancing toward the defense's end zone.

Defensive Formations

Defenses use a number of formations. Most teams use a single base defense and then modify that base defense depending on the situation.


Base Defenses

The two most popular base defenses are the 4–3 and the 3–4, which are named after the number of defensive linemen and linebackers in the formation (a 4–3 has four defensive linemen and three linebackers, whereas a 3–4 has the opposite). Both defenses use two cornerbacks and two safeties. Teams tend to use one base defense based on the talents of its defensive personnel. For instance, a team that has better linebackers than defensive linemen may choose to go with a 3–4 to get more linebackers on the field.

 

3-4 defense positions

 

 

 

4-3 defense positions in football

 

 

Defensive End (DE): A defensive player who lines up at the end of the defensive line. The job of the defensive end is to contain the running back on running plays to the outside, and rush the quarterback on passing plays.

Defensive Tackle (DT): A defensive player who lines up on the interior of the defensive line. The duties of a defensive tackle include stopping the running back on running plays, getting pressure up the middle on passing plays, and occupying blockers so the linebackers can roam free.

Nose Tackle (NT): The defensive player who lines up directly across from the center. Also known as:the nose guard, the primary responsibilities of the nose tackle are to stop the run and occupy the offensive lineman to keep them from blocking the linebackers.

Linebacker (LB) : A defensive player who lines up behind the defensive linemen and in front of the defensive backfield. The linebackers are a team's second line of defense. Each team has two outside linebackers. In a 4-3 defense, teams have one inside linebacker, usually referred to as a middle linebacker. In a 3-4 defense teams have two inside linebackers.

Cornerback (CB): A defensive back who generally lines up on the outside of the formation and is usually assigned to cover a wide receiver.

Safety (S): A defensive back who lines up in the secondary between, but generally deeper than the cornerbacks. His primary duties include helping the cornerbacks in pass coverage.

 

Next read about Special Teams in Football

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