D Positions

3 main position groups in D

Defensive Line, Linebackers (LB), Secondary/Defensive backs (DB)

Defensive line (DL)

Defensive tackle (DT), Edge/Defensive end

Defensive tackle (DT)

Sometimes called a defensive guard, play at the center of the defensive line. Their function is to rush the passer and stop running plays directed at the middle of the line of scrimmage. Most defensive sets have one or two defensive tackles. If one employs a second defensive tackle, sometimes referred to as an under tackle, they are usually a bit faster than the nose tackle.

Edge/Defensive end (DE)

Edge/DE line up outside of the defensive tackles and are the ends of the defensive line. Their function is to attack the passer or stop offensive runs to the outer edges of the line of scrimmage, which is often referred to as containment. The faster of the two is usually placed on the right side of the defensive line (quarterback's left) because that is a right-handed quarterback's blind side.

Defensive linemen will often take a stance with one or both of their hands on the ground before the ball is snapped. These are known as a three-point stance and four-point stance, respectively, and this helps distinguish a defensive lineman from a linebacker, who begins in a two-point stance (i.e. without a hand touching the ground).

Linebackers (LB)

Linebackers play behind the defensive line and perform various duties depending on the situation, including rushing the passer, covering receivers, and defending against the run.

Middle linebacker (MLB)

the middle linebacker is often known as the quarterback of the defense, since they are frequently the primary defensive play callers and must react to a wide variety of situations. Middle linebackers must be capable of stopping running backs who make it past the defensive line, covering pass plays over the middle, and rushing the quarterback a blitz.

Outside linebacker (OLB)

Outside linebackers are given different names depending on their role and the philosophy of the team. Some teams keep their outside linebackers on the same side of the field at all times while others define them as playing on either the strongside (SLB) or the weakside (WLB).

Secondary/DB’s

In gridiron football, defensive backs (DBs), also called the secondary, are the players on the defensive side of the ball who play farthest back from the line of scrimmage. They are distinguished from the other two sets of defensive players, the defensive linemen who play directly on the line of scrimmage, and the linebackers, who play in the middle of the defense, and between the defensive line and the defensive backs.

Common Secondary Set up

A normal defensive lineup includes two cornerbacks and two safeties

Specialty defensive backs

nickelbacks and dime backs can be brought in in place of linebackers and defensive linemen when there is a need to cover additional receivers.

Cornerback (CB)

Cornerbacks attempt to prevent successful passes by either swatting the airborne ball away from the receiver or by catching the pass themselves. In rushing situations, their job is to contain the runner, either by directing them back to the middle of the field to be tackled by the middle line backers, or by forcing them out of bounds.

Nickelback / dimeback

In certain formations, the defense may remove a linebacker or a defensive lineman to bring in extra pass coverage in the form of extra defensive backs. A formation with five defensive backs is often called a nickel formation, and the fifth (extra) defensive back is called a nickelback after the U.S. nickel coin, a five-cent piece. By extension, a formation with a sixth defensive back, known as the dimeback, is called a dime package because it employs a second nickelback and the U.S. 10-cent dime coin is equal to two nickels. Although it is a rare occurrence, a team may also use seven or eight defensive backs on a play.

Safety (S)

The safeties are the last line of defense (furthest from the line of scrimmage) and usually help the corners with deep-pass coverage. The strong safety (SS) is traditionally the larger and stronger of the two, providing extra protection against run plays by standing closer to the line of scrimmage, usually on the strong (tight end) side of the field. The free safety (FS) is often the smaller and faster of the two, and is typically the deepest player on the defense, providing help on long pass plays.