Defensive Discussion
The main responsibilty of the defense is to stop the offense from scoring and take the ball back by either a fumble recovery, interception, or turn over in downs.
Linemen
Nose Guard/Nose Tackle(NG/NT)- Is found head up or slightly to the side of the center. His main responsibilty is to stop the run by shooting through either gap on either side of the center depending on the formation called by the linebacker. Sometimes defenes take out the nose guard and add a linebacker.
Defensive Tackles(DT)- Are found lined up usually in the gap between the guard and tackle or head up on the tackle. Their job is to shoot to either side of the tackle to stop the run or pressure the quarterback. Usually the biggest of the defensive linemen.
Defensive Ends(DE)- Are found just outside the defensive tackles either head up on the tight end(if there is one) or just in the gap beyond the offensive tackle. They are suppose to keep everything to the inside during the run and can be used as a pass rusher on pass plays. They are the tallest of the defensive linemen so they can disrupt the quarterback's view of the field.
Linebackers(LB)
Usually there are two of them there could be as many as four depending on the defense being used. They are the leaders of defense much like the quarterback is of the offense. They stand right behind the defensive line (approximately 5-10 yards from line of scrimmage). They read the formations of the offense then communicate to the defensive linemen how they are to adjust to the formation. Most linebackers focus or key on the Running Back (tailback) and move the direction they go. On passes the linebacker can be brought up to the line and blitz (run straight into the gap in front of him) as soon as the ball is snaped to disrupt the offense and pressure the quarterback.
Secondary
The defensive backfield is mainly to support the linemen and linebackers and watch for passes. They are taught not to let a receiver get behind them.
Cornerbacks(CB)- Are found on each side of the field either lined up on a wide receiver or standing to the outside of the defensive ends about 5 yards if a receiver is not present. They are to stick with the wide receivers and try to keep them from catching the ball, by jumping up and knocking it away or intercepting it.
Safeties(S)- Usually there are two standing in the middle of the field about 5-10 yards behind the linebackers. There is a Strong Safety who goes to the side with the most people on the offensive line. Then the Free Safety goes to the opposite side of the strong safety. Their job is to support all of the defensive players in front of them. They are the last line of defense against the offense. They act like a safety net if an offensive player managers to get by the rest of teh defense hence the name "safety." Mainly look for the deep pass down the middle of the field.
Rover Back(R)- Sometimes when a defense only has one safety the player who would have been the strong saftey moves up closer to the rest of defense. He goes to the strong side of the formation of the offense and follows any player in motion on the offense. He is constantly moving and is rarely in the same place everytime hence the name Rover Back (a Rover for short). He becomes responsible for the short middle of the field just behind the linebackers known as "the flats." He looks for players coming across the flats to catch the ball.
Defense uses the alphabet to mark their gaps or holes between the offensive linemen they move from A-C to each side of the center. (much like the formation shown below.)
(C) LT (B) LG (A) C (A) RG (B) T (C)
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