by Kevin Mcinturff

Created on: December 04, 2008   Last Updated: January 13, 2009

In understanding football defense, it is important to realize that this game can often be compared to chess. You have two teams which are trying to out strategize the other through different offenses and defenses. The offense is trying to score points and the defense is trying to prevent this from happening.

Any defense will comprise of eleven players with different functions. The players on the front are called linemen and their duty is to either stop the runner or sack the quarterback. These men are usually the biggest and strongest players on the defense.

Behind the linemen are the linebackers. These players are there to support the linemen in stopping the running back or to prevent the completion of short passes. Linebackers must have both speed and strength.

Defensive back positions comprise of two cornerbacks, a safety and a free safety. Corners play along the outside areas of the field and are there to stop passes to wide receivers. The safety position is to provide additional coverage wherever needed. These players are the fastest and most agile on the team.

The type of defense used depends on where the ball is on the field and which down is being played. If it is 1st and 10 with the ball on the offensive team's 20 yard line, then the probability is high that the offense will use a run play. In that case, the defense would use 4 linemen with 4 linebackers and 3 backs. However; if it is 3rd and 20, then the probability is good for a pass play in which case the defense would use 3 linemen, 3 linebackers and 5 defensive backs.

In stopping the pass play, defensive backs will use a zone or man to man coverage. In zone coverage, the back is charged with defending a certain area of the field. If anyone comes into his area, he covers that player until they leave. The weakness of zone defense is that gaps can occur if receivers are not picked up quickly by other backs. In man to man, there is constant coverage of receivers, but that back maybe on their own with no additional help.

Many times a defense will use a blitz where they will use linebackers or backs to charge the quarterback. A blitz can be quite effective in stopping a quarterback due to lack of protection, but that leaves the defensive backfield open for short passes. A blitz can pay off big or cost the defense a high yardage play for the offense.

In summary, understanding football defense is not that difficult if you know the different positions of the players and the different kinds of formations a team will use. Then you can sit back and second guess the coaches as you watch the game.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Mcinturff.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.