by Cameron Coon

Created on: April 05, 2009

The basic concept of a football defense is to stop the offense from scoring, and for that to happen everybody on the defense needs to do there job. A normal defense has eleven players on the field, each one has a specific position and job that they need to do in order for them to stop the offense. In the NFL there are normally two base defenses a defense can run. They can run either a 4-3 defense which consists of four linemen and three linebackers, or a 3-4 which has three defensive linemen and four linebackers

In each defense there are standard formations within them. Each formation prepares the defense for either a pass or run play. If the defense expects a pass play they might drop back a linebacker or add a defensive back. If the play may be a run the coach could have a backer move up or add an extra defensive linemen.

There are generally three different classes for defensive players. The first is defensive lineman. In the NFL there is usually three to four defensive linemen who lineup on the ball. Linemen who are usually the biggest players on the field are used to either clog up holes made by offensive linemen or to rush the quarterback when he is passing the football.

Next behind the linemen are linebackers. In a defense you can have a middle linebacker then strong and weak outside backers or in a 3-4 defense a left middle and a right middle. Coaches can use linebackers in many ways. Linebackers are generaly supposed to make a read on the play then follow the football. Linebackers can also be used in coverage on a pass play or they can blitz the quarterback.

Lastly is the defensive backfield. A defensive backfield has two corner backs, a free safety and a strong safety. The defensive backs are mainly used to cover receivers on pass plays. Rarely will the defensive coordinator call a blitz for a corner back but safeties will blitz occasionally. There are also many different calls a coach can give to a defense depending on the formation.

The coach could call a blitz from the linebacker or safety hoping to disrupt the play. Or they could make a call on whether or not to run zone or man coverage. Zone spreading out the defense hoping to confuse the quarterback into making a bad decision or a man defense which gives the quarter back more of a chance to find an open receiver but stifling certain plays.

Playing a football defense is very complicated depending what age level your playing at but the more that you play the game the better understanding you will have of a football defense

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