Therefore, the deployment and tactics of defensive players are bound only by the imagination of the play designer and the line of scrimmage. These patterns are called formations. Meet the people behind NFL Operations. It is often used as a pass formation, because of the extra wide receivers. It consists of three running backs: a fullback lined up directly behind the quarterback, and the two halfbacks split behind the fullback. Honoring the league’s commitment to serve the communities where the game is played. The most common seven-man line defenses were the While the original Nickel defense utilized 5 defensive backs in conjunction with a 4-man rush, and but 2 linebackers, modern definition calls any formation that utilizes 5 defensive backs (from nickel = 5 cent piece) a Nickel defense. See where the players line up in pro football's most common offensive and defensive formations. This is the base defense of some teams.

Every week, officials take the field ready to put months of preparation, training and hard work on display, knowing that the whole world — and the Officiating Department — is watching. The latest information from the NFL's officiating center. All rights reserved.

The center makes a long snap to the QB. This formation started emerging when teams started utilizing the T formation more frequently. More extreme defensive formations have been used when a coach feels that his team is at a particular disadvantage due to the opponent's offensive tactics or poor personnel match-ups. Two "3" techniques (DT, lined up outside of the guards) and two "8" techniques (DE, lined up outside of end man on line of scrimmage). Any defense consisting of six defensive backs. Go inside the game with the NFL's official game stats. It appeared in the early thirties as a response to the improving passing offenses of the time, particularly the T formation.The 6-2 defense consists of six defensive linemen, two linebackers, and three defensive backs (one safety, two corners). Defensive alignments are the formations in which the defensive players organize themselves for particular plays throughout the game. Traditionally, defensive formations are named according to the number of down linemen and linebackers.

One unique factor about this formation, depending on the exact alignment, is that the center can be an eligible receiver if he is the farthest outside on the line of scrimmage. Get a snapshot of the current NFL game stats, updated weekly during the regular season. One is by removing a linebacker from the standard 4–3 to add the extra defensive back. The 3-4 defense uses only three defensive linemen, with the one in the middle called the nose tackle (N), and four linebackers (LB), with the other two defensive linemen (DE) usually consisting of one superior pass-rusher and a rugged run-defender. He is currently the offensive coordinator at With Markham's success came many converts to his offense and many variations of the offense over the years. Upon further review… Learn about the people, the jobs and the technology that deliver the best game possible to NFL fans across the U.S. and around the world. But there are two common defensive schemes employed by most teams: the 4-3 and the 3-4. NFL Football Operations’ mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. The 4-3 defense is the most common base defensive formation in the NFL. Formation: Default The football play library is where all football plays created using the free football play designer are displayed. The custodians of football not only have protected its integrity, but have also revised its playing rules to protect the players, and to make the games fairer and more entertaining.

While defensive coaches often take liberties with personnel packages, here are basic defenses from which they often work. Here’s what you’ll see: 1.1. However, since the defense is typically used only in the last few seconds of a game when the defensive team need only keep the offense from scoring a touchdown, giving up a few yards in the middle of the field is inconsequential. Often, a tight end or full back position is occupied by a player who normally plays offensive line or defensive line positions to act as an extra blocker. This formation is typically used for trick plays, though it is somewhat counterintuitively effective in short-yardage situations: a The wishbone is a 1960s variation of the T-formation. The eleven defenders may line up anywhere they like, as long as they are not across the line of scrimmage.

It was functionally replaced by the more versatile 4-3. When is a 5-4 Defense Used?