Defensive Football Terminology

Football has a language all its own. The language of defensive players and coaches concerns proper technique, formations, attitude and style of play. It is incumbent on all players to learn the terminology that defense coaches and players use.

Formations

Defensive football teams use a kind of shorthand to describe their formations and alignments. The "base defense" is the phrase used to describe the defensive alignment that is used for the majority of plays in the game. Many teams use the "4-3" defense and others use the "3-4" defense. The "cover-2" defense describes a formation in which two defensive backs divide the field to take the deep pass away from the offense. The "nickel" formation is a defensive alignment with five defensive backs. The "dime" formation is a defensive alignment with six defensive backs.

Active Plays

The "blitz" is used by the defense to attack and pressure the opposing quarterback. On a blitz, the defense sends an extra linebacker or defensive back to rush the quarterback. "Gang tackling" is preached by coaches. It means that several tacklers will attack the ball carrier in an attempt to stop the play or force a fumble. Gang tackling represents significant aggressiveness. "Inside-out pursuit" is used by defensive players to prevent cutback runs by ball carriers. "Man-to-man coverage" is used by the defense when one defensive player is assigned to one receiver and that player covers the receiver all over the field.

Technique

When a nose tackle or defensive gets as close to the center as possible, that player is said to be "crowding the ball." A player who ignores his assigned responsibility and attempts to stop a play by relying on his instincts is said to be "cowboying it." "Press coverage" is used by defensive backs when they are extremely close to the receiver. Most defensive players will give receivers a "cushion" in coverage, but press coverage is extra tight. "Pursuit" is used by the defense to run toward the ball carrier and make the tackle.

Basic Defensive Language

A "takeaway" is an interception or a fumble recovery. When the defense records a takeaway, it has stopped the opposing offense and given its offense the ball. When the defense forces a "three-and-out," the opposing offense has failed to get a first down and must punt. A defensive player -- usually a defensive lineman -- records a "sack" when he tackles the quarterback in the backfield. The "tip drill" is used in practice to help defensive players intercept passes after they have been tipped or batted coming out of the quarterback's hand. The "zone defense" is used when defensive players are assigned to cover areas of the field in pass coverage and not individual players.