What Is A Secondary In Football?

The secondary is a critical element of any defense used in football. The secondary is primarily charged with the responsibility of stopping opponents from making pass completions and making big plays. The players in the secondary are noted for their athletic ability and must be able to make quick moves to break up pass plays.

Secondary Players

The players in the secondary are divided into two groups: cornerbacks and safeties. The cornerbacks are charged with covering the fastest receivers on the field and in many cases must do it on one-on-one basis. On running plays, cornerbacks must get involved in making the tackle if the running back gets past the defensive linemen and the linebackers. Safeties must diagnose the play quickly. In some cases they will assist the cornerbacks on all deep passes. On other pass plays, they will be asked to cover tight ends or running backs on a one-on-one basis. On running plays, the safety must step up and join the linebackers to provide support and make hard-hitting tackles. Occasionally, safeties are asked to blitz the quarterback and come up with a sack or bat down the pass.

Deep Passes

The most important contribution that cornerbacks and safeties can make is to stop the deep pass. When an offense can strike quickly by going over the top of the defense and hitting the long pass, it sets a tone that it can score from any point on the field. This will give the offense confidence and it will rip it away from the defense. In order to stop the big pass play, the players in the secondary must use their speed, athleticism, timing, jumping ability and ball skills. They also must study film of their opponents to learn their tendencies when running pass patterns.

Big Play Ability

Cornerbacks and safeties can also be outstanding weapons for their team. In some cases, they might be so close in their coverage of the receiver that they can intercept the pass and run it back for a big play or a touchdown. A cornrerback can do this by allowing the receiver several catches early in the game and then give the offense the same look later. This baits the quarterback into thinking the receiver is open. Instead, the cornerback breaks on the ball as soon as it is in the air and comes up with the interception. A safety can track the ball and a receiver in a similar manner and come up with an interception and turn it into a touchdown when he catches the ball while running at full speed. Hard-hitting defensive backs can jar the ball loose from running backs and receivers and cause fumbles.

Expert Insight

To play the secondary positions correctly, a player has to combine athleticism, technique and football instincts. Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott played both cornerback and safety during his career with the 49ers and Jets and is recognized as one of the best defensive backs ever. "It took a lot of work," Lott said. "I was always working on my technique, my hands and my running ability. However, once the ball was in the air I would just fly to the receiver and try to hit him as hard as possible or make a play on the ball. The best way to play the position is to prepare as hard as you can but then once the play starts you have to let your instincts take over."