We have discussed the offense, so let’s take a look at the defense.Defenses are just as complicated as offenses, so we will start with the basics and go from there.
There are three types of defensive players:defensive linemen, defensive backs and safeties.
The defensive linemen include the defensive tackles and defensive ends.Sometimes you will hear these players referred to as the “down linemen.”The reason for the name is that they prepare for the play in a three point stance.These are usually the big guys on defense.The defensive tackles line up on the interior of the defensive line, usually in the “gaps” between the offensive tackles.If you take a look at the line of scrimmage, you don’t see the offensive players and the defensive players nose to nose; they are at an angle to each other.The exception is if a team’s defensive scheme calls for only one interior lineman—the nose tackle, who lines up directly across from the center.
The defensive linemen perform two main functions:to stop the run and to sack the quarterback.The defensive ends are usually the tallest and fastest of the defensive linemen.A few well-known defensive ends are Shawn Merriman, Julius Peppers and Mario Williams.These are huge men, well built and fast.
Lining up across from the receivers are the cornerbacks.Their primary job is to pass protect, but they are also often involved in stopping the run or rushing the quarterback.Their role depends upon the defensive scheme the team happens to be running.Cornerbacks are often very fast and have good vertical leaping skills. These guys are surprisingly small, but they are invariably fast.
Also behind the defensive line are the safeties.There may be a “strong safety” who lines up close to the line and a “free safety” who roams behind the line ready to move to the ball wherever the ball happens to be.The free safeties are usually good athletes, quick and agile, as their job is to be the last line of defense against the offensive play.
There are numerous defensive schemes, and each team has their standard scheme.One popular scheme is the 3-4 defense.This means that there are three down linemen and four linebackers.The 4-3 defense has four down linemen and three linebackers.Ever wonder what the “nickel package” is?That is when the defensive scheme is changed to protect against the pass.In a nickel package, one of the linemen is replaced with an additional defensive back so that the team has five defensive backs and six, instead of seven, linemen.Add one more nickel back, and you have a “dime” package.Pretty cool.
What, exactly, is a blitz?A blitz is when players on defensive rush straight ahead when the play begins in order to get to the quarterback.The downside to a blitz is that it leaves the defense vulnerable if the blitz does not work.
In later lessons, we will talk about specific well-known schemes, such as the “Tampa 2” or the “cover 2.”
LESSON #1
Basic Positions-Offense
Commentary:
This beginning lesson our football instruction book is so basic, it borders on insulting, but it is important to understand the positions in order to understand the lessons that will follow in ensuring articles. As we learn about offensive and defensive schemes, you will need to be able to visualize where the various players move. You will have to understand how they line up to commence the play and where they end up as the play terminates.
Here is an offensive scheme called a "pro set," so named because its popularity in professional offenses. It features "split" backs and wide receivers and gives the offense great balance between passing and running.
WR LT LG C RG RT TE
QB WR
B B
Quarterback
This is the main man-think Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Brett Favre. This is the guy directing the play from the line of scrimmage. The quarterbacks are miked up to the offensive coordinator or coach, who calls the plays to be run. A good quarterback will be prepared to "check offâ€" or change the play at the line of scrimmage if he sees something in the defensive scheme that alerts him that the called play will probably not work or a different play will work better.
Center
This is the man in the center of the line who snaps the ball to the quarterback or, on rare occasions, directly to a running back. For reference, he lines up opposite the nose tackle on the defensive side of the ball. The center also is responsible for reading the defensive alignment and communicating last second adjustments to the offensive line. After the ball is snapped, the center has other duties depending upon the offensive scheme of the team. The center does much more than just snap the ball, he can be assigned any number of targets to block, including stopping a blitzing defenseman.
Offensive Guard
There are two of these guys, positioned on either side of the center. Their job is to protect (guard) the quarterback from the pass rush and also to move ahead of the running back to open holes for him to run.
Offensive Tackle
There are two of these guys, too-the right tackle and the left tackle-positioned next to the offensive guards. Their job is simple: keep the defensive players from tackling whatever offensive player has the ball. This could mean opening holes for a running back or keeping the defense from getting to the quarterback. In the diagram above, the side of the offensive line that has the tight end is called the "strong side" of the line. Usually, running plays move to the strong side of the line, so the right tackle has to be a good run blocker, opening holes for the running back. The left tackle, on the other hand, is important for defending pass rushers, who usually come from the left side of a right-handed quarterback. When a right-handed quarterback positions himself to throw the ball, he literally has his back to the left side of the line. The left tackle's job is to defend the quarterback from the pass rushers. If the quarterback is left-handed, the tackles' jobs are reversed.
Tight End
The tight end is usually the sixth man on the offensive line. The position is a versatile one, and usually, tight ends are larger and stronger than wide receivers, but smaller than the other linemen. The role of the tight end is two-fold: blocking and pass catching. Often the tight end is the receiver of last resort for a quarterback because the tight end is often left uncovered by the defense. This is particularly true if a team has a star wide receiver or two that is frequently double covered. The tight end's other job is to block for the running back and protect the quarterback. Sometimes, if the tight end lines up next to the tackle, but just off the line of scrimmage, he is known as an "h-back"-not to be confused with a "halfback." Occasionally, you will hear a referee announce that a player is "now eligible" as a receiver. This means that an offensive lineman, who is usually ineligible to receive a pass from the quarterback, has reported in as a tight end, who is eligible to receive a pass. This maneuvering keeps the defense off guard.
Backs
Behind the line of scrimmage is known as the "backfield. Positioned in the backfield are the "backs," which include the quarterback and some combination of fullbacks and half backs or running backs. A fullback is usually the strongest and the largest of the backs. They are used in short yardage situations or for short screen passes, typically because they are strong enough to muscle their way through the defensive line. Fullbacks are also powerful blockers, both for the quarterback and running back. Halfbacks are usually smaller and quicker than fullbacks. Typically, the players who are the most successful ball carriers will be the halfbacks. One reason is that the halfback will get most of the carries on the running plays. Another is that the good halfbacks have the ability to break away and score with their speed and agility. They also have duties as blockers on the plays where they are not carrying the ball. Because there is such a variety in size among halfbacks in the NFL, you might hear the halfbacks called by different names, such as "scat back" for the smaller, quicker players and "power backs" for the larger, more powerful runners. The backs are also called upon to receive the passes from the quarterback. The most successful backs are those who can both run well and receive well. If a half back is particular good as a receiver, he might earn the title of "third down" back since the team will often use him in a third down situation where additional yardage is needed.
Wide Receiver
The wide receivers are often the glamor boys of the team as they have the best ability to make the game winning touchdowns and acrobatic catches. They line up at the ends of the offensive line. Only the two end players on the offensive line and the players in the backfield are eligible to receive the ball on a pass play. If the team is using a tight end on the play, one of the wide receivers will move to the back field so that the tight end is also eligible to receive the ball. The wide receiver's job is to get open for the pass from the quarterback. They will typically run a predesignated pass route and will attempt to outmaneuver the defense to get open. Wide receivers can also be used as blockers for running plays and can occasionally even be used to run the ball.
