5 of 9

Write now Article Tools

While defenses, especially in the NFL, can be very elaborate, there are several basic plays that everyone should know and recognize. These basic plays can be broken down into coverages which include man coverage, man under, and zone coverage.

Man coverage is exactly as it sounds and either involves double-teaming or a blitz. Since in most cases the quarterback doesn't have to be accounted for by the defense and there is always at least one more offensive lineman than defensive lineman, playing total man coverage frees up two defenders. These two defenders generally blitz or double-team someone. This is an aggressive defense and is referred to as a "cover 0" because the defense has no safety help. Assign one of the two extra players to the deep zone and the play is now a "cover 1". Both of these are considered aggressive plays and teams with only the best defensive personnel can get away with running them because defensive backs are left on an island against the receivers they are covering.

The most popular defensive call is the cover-2 man under. It can be ran from any of the basic defensive formations(More on them later) and provides good coverage for nearly all parts of the field. Everyone on the offense has someone covering them and the two safeties are free to watch the deep ball. Unless your team runs a 3-man defensive line scheme, these plays are generally weak covering the middle of the field once past the linebackers. Teams that only blitz three men on the line of scrimmage are afforded an extra linebacker who can then be assigned to a specific offensive man which allows for an extra defensive player who can then be assigned a zone in order to help fill the gap between the two safeties. Without this extra linebacker you must rely more on your safeties to pick up on tendencies over the middle and make either big plays or jarring hits. The middle of the field is most receiver's nightmare. Fortunately for NFL defenses, very few wide receivers choose to grind out a living in its troublesome waters with the likes of Sean Taylor and Roy Williams roaming them. Having every man covered with safety help is a good way for a defense to feel out their opponents. Bend don't break is often the creed of teams who rely heavily upon cover-2 man under.

The more difficult plays to break down are zone plays. Just remember that the numbers used in describing zone plays are directly relative to the amount of players covering the deep areas of the field. A cover-four

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Basic defensive football plays everyone should know?
We want to hear your view. Write now!