At its core, American Football is very simple: score more points than your opponent! As simple as it is, there is a level of nuance to the sport, making it much more complicated to the average observer. One component of confusion is the defensive aspect of American Football. For most people “to defend” is a common practice in competitive sports, but in American Football it is often confused with “kill the opponent”. We’re going to dive into the aspect of American Football that makes the game more complicated than simple.
What is Defense?
In football, there are two primary units on the field at the same time, one of which is the defense. The purpose of the defense is to stop the opposing team’s offensive unit from scoring points, or at least limit the amount of points allowed. The defense fulfills its purpose through various strategies, schemes, formation, and individual players all working together for a common goal: Stop the offense.
Positions on the Defense
Defensive Linemen (DL): These players represent the first line of defense, and are positioned along the line of scrimmage. Physically, these players are the largest of the defensive unit. General position names include defensive tackle & defensive ends, depending on the team’s specific formation. Defensive line attempts to disrupt the offensive play by pressuring quarterbacks, stopping run plays, or attracting enough attention for their teammates to become successful disruptors.
Linebackers (LB): Playing on the second line of defense, linebackers are positioned behind the defensive line, usually at a distance of 3-5 yards from the line of scrimmage. The most versatile players on the field, linebackers are usually big enough to stop run plays and pressure the quarterback, yet agile enough to cover receivers if needed. Depending on the defensive formation, linebackers are usually divided into inside linebackers and outside linebackers. Tasked with reacting to the offense, linebackers are responsible for shedding blocks, making tackles, and anything else that is needed to stop the opposing offense.
Defensive Backs (DB): This is the last line of defense, and players are positioned 7-12 yards from the line of scrimmage, in various locations on the field. Defensive Backs are the smaller players of the defensive unit, needing to be fast & athletic to defend their offensive counterparts (Wide Receivers). Divided into the cornerback & safety positions, these players are responsible for stopping the offensive passing attack, providing help against the run game, as well as preventing big plays (last line of defense, literally).
The Importance of Defense
Defense is what makes American Football great. This unit has the ability to influence game outcomes, and is oftentimes used as the catalyst for why a team wins or loses. Here's why defense is so important to the game of American Football.
Limiting Scoring Opportunities: The defensive unit’s primary focus is to limit their opponent’s ability to reach the end zone. In doing so, the defense affects the opposing team’s potential to score enough points to win.
Creating Turnovers: Through interceptions and fumbles, the defense can create additional opportunities for their team’s offensive unit to score points, while simultaneously preventing their opponents from being able to reach the endzone. Turnovers are a win-win for good defenses,
Determining Field Position: Good defenses make their opponents work hard to reach the end zone. One way to do so is to consistently stop the opposing offense, or even make them lose yards. Doing so forces the offense to travel a longer distance to be successful, which increases the likelihood that they will not reach the end zone.
Aspects of a Good Defense
As an important component of the game, there are various aspects of a good defense that most units attempt to exhibit during a game.
Tackling: Being able to stop ball carriers from advancing down the field is one of, if not the most important aspect of defense. Using proper techniques, providing effort, and hustling to the ball, are all imperative to successful tackling.
Coverage Skills: Defensive backs and linebackers must be able to perform pass coverage. This includes specific concepts like man-to-man coverage, zone coverage, and a combo coverage (a mix of zone and man). In addition to understanding the coverage concepts, defenders also need to be proficient in forcing incompletions, by way of pass break-ups or interceptions.
Effective Pass Rush: The defensive line and linebackers (also called the “Front 7”) need to provide pressure on the offense’s quarterback during passing plays. This can be done by implementing various concepts like stunts and blitz packages, combined with effective individual pass rush moves. The Front 7 should be able to disrupt their opponent’s timing, force bad passes, produce sack, and create fumbles or interceptions.
Discipline and Communication: A staple of a good defense is discipline in player assignments, and communicating on the field as much as possible. Doing these two things will create success in stopping opposing offenses, mentally.
Defensive Formations
4-3 Defense: This defense is the most common in football, providing four defensive linemen and three linebackers (hence the name). Considered a balanced defense, it is very effective against run plays and providing pressure on the quarterback. Having the appropriate players at linebacker and defensive back positions determines how successful this formation is at defending the opponent’s passing attack.
3-4 Defense: Another commonly used formation, this defense utilizes three defensive linemen and four linebackers. This formation is known for its versatility and unpredictability, making it easier for defenses to disguise their blitz packages and coverages. The right personnel makes this formation a great option against both the run and the pass.
4-2-5/Nickel Defense: By replacing the traditional third linebacker with a defensive back, this formation is used to strengthen pass coverage, without sacrificing run support. Some teams call this a “Nickel” defense, as it looks similar to a 4-3 defense on the field, but rules and personnel vary to enhance pass coverage against heavy receiver offensive sets. In today’s modern football, more teams are using this formation & personnel more than a traditional 4-3.
3-3-5/Nickel Defense: This formation is a variation of the 3-4 defense, replacing the fourth linebacker with a defensive back, once again to strengthen pass coverage. Depending on the alignment used by the defense, this formation allows for very untraditional and exotic stunts, blitzes, and pass coverages. Utilizing fast players and good coverage skills, this defense is most effective against a pass heavy, spread formation offense.
Dime Defense: The defensive formation is used situationally, employing four defensive linemen, one linebacker, and six defensive backs. Most defenses use this formation and personnel in situations that require the offense to gain a large amount of yards to obtain a first down or score. This defense provides maximum pass coverage against deep passinging concepts.
Defensive Schemes & Strategy
In addition to formations & player personnel, there are defensive tactics and philosophies designed to stop opposing teams’ plays and game plan. These schemes & strategies are created to enhance the strength of the defense (personnel & formation), while simultaneously exploiting any weakness found in the opponent’s offense. Here are some common defensive schemes used regularly in American Football.
Man-to-Man Coverage: The terminology is outdated (Person-to-Person doesn’t quite roll off the tongue), but this coverage is the simplest and easiest for most players to understand: Every defender covers a specific offensive player. The goal is to mirror the offensive player’s movements, not allowing them to catch any passes thrown in their direction.
Zone Coverage: Defensive players cover specific areas of the field. The goal is to deny offensive players access to areas on the field, disrupting passing lanes, and creating turnover opportunities.
Blitz Packages: Blitzes are designed to utilize additional pass rushers to pressure the quarterback. Packages can be simple or very complex, with the same goal of creating mismatches, confusing the offensive linemen, and pressuring the quarterback.
Zone Blitz: Combining zone coverage and blitz packages is common practice in higher level football leagues. The scheme is used to confuse quarterbacks by blitzing additional pass rushers and having defensive linemen drop into pass coverage. The confusion usually results in sacks, fumbles, or interceptions.
Embracing the Essence of Defense
At its core, American Football is very simple: score more points than your opponent! As simple as it is, there is a level of nuance to the sport, making it much more complicated to the average observer. One component of confusion is the defensive aspect of American Football. For most people “to defend” is a common practice in competitive sports, but in American Football it is often confused with “kill the opponent”. We’re going to dive into the aspect of American Football that makes the game more complicated than simple.
Understanding defense enhances the American Football experience, whether you are a player, coach, or spectator. The nuances of defense are what makes the game great, and why defensive player prowess, tactical brilliance, and big plays are celebrated.
IFL Week 1 Defensive Battle
Varese Skorpions, 7 vs Firenze Guelfi, 0
While most games in Week 1 of the Italian Football League had plenty of scoring, the best game of the week was a defensive battle between the Varese Skorpions and Firenze Guelfi. The Skorpions upset the Guelfi team by scoring the lone points of the game early in the third quarter. Both teams exhibited good defense based on their respective schemes and personnel.
FIRENZE GUELFI
The Guelfi defense ran a very versatile 4-2-5 defense that allowed them to match up well against the Skorpions offense. The defensive line was dominant for most of the game, allowing the unit to create pressure and stop run plays without blitzing too much. But when they did decide to blitz, it was perfectly timed, and made a difference.
One aspect of the defense that really stood out was the tackling ability of everyone on the defensive unit. There were very few missed tackles, if any at all. Also, the Guelfi defense had a very good gang tackling philosophy, which included their defensive backs being active in making tackles. Their defensive line was active in the pass rush, and pressured the Skorpions quarterback often. Their linebackers showed athleticism and speed to the ball, rarely allowing extra yards after contact.
The defensive backs for Firenze were not tested much throughout the game, and played as additional linebackers mostly. Unfortunately, one coverage mistake would be what cost this defense a shutout performance. Early in the third quarter, Skorpions receiver Martino Piazzi found a hole in their defense and made a 52-yard catch to put his team in scoring position. One play later, Martino Piazzi finished what he started catch a slant a 10-yard slant from Ryan Griffin for a touchdown. Those two plays would be the only blemishes on an otherwise great defensive game from the Firenze Guelfi.
Top Defensive Performances
Rocco Zucchelli, DB - 5 tkls, 1 ff
Diego Rinaldi, LB - 4.5 tkls
Giacomo Insom, DL - 4 tkls, 2 tfl, 1 ff
Giovanni Scialdone, DL - 3 tkls, 2 tfl
VARESE SKORPIONS
The Varese defense ran a very unique 4-3 formation that could easily be confused for a 3-4 at different times throughout the game. Having a defensive end stand up most of the game allowed the defense to use zone blitzes effectively against the pass, but also stop the run from the traditional 4-3 look.
The weather played a factor in the Skorpions defensive success. A bad pass intercepted by Appuhamilage Kolonna in the first quarter set the tone for their opponents, as they decided to become a run-first offense. That decision was in the Skorpions advantage, as they had no trouble stopping the run game with their large interior defensive lineman, and athletic defensive ends. Their linebackers were hard hitters who seemed to get better as the game wore on and they created more contact with their opponents. The defensive backs did not receive a ton of action, but when tested, they made big plays including 2 interceptions.
This group played well as a unit, and did a great job rallying to the ball on every play. The most important aspects of their success was effort & hustle. There was a standout player that must be mentioned by name. Defensive lineman Roberto Antochi was a constant point of interest in the game, whether he was rushing the quarterback, stopping the run, or even getting into pass coverage. With Antochi making an impact every play, and great team chemistry, the Varese defense was able to shut out one of the best teams in the IFL and position themselves as an Italian Bowl contender.
Top Defensive Performances
Filippo Zanon, LB - 10.5 tkls
Stefano Granelli, LB - 8 tkls, 3 tfl
Nicolas Principi, DB - 5.5 tkls, 1 int
Fabio Testoni, DB - 4 tlkls, 2 pbu
Comments