A Fan's Guide to American Football Defense

Comments · 466

• CH

  @ChosenPlaysYT · 2 years ago

  I played football for 7 years, including defense, and I just learned that it’s called Dime because a dime is 2 nickels lol

  135

• UM

  @umazayiabdulhakeem940 · 3 years ago

  I am from  Nigeria 🇳🇬 and started following the NFL last year, i only saw it as a chaotic sport, but then i thought to myself there is more to this than chaos, i decided to start watching the NFL games on ESPN, and since then i have become a fan of American football and also a fan of the Cicinati Bengals. Though i am just starting to get the offensive part of the game, and this video has helped me on understanding the defensive part too. I will really like to understand the sport completely.

  606

• IS

  @IsraellDFend · 3 years ago (edited)

  I’ve been a football fan for about 40 years and know most of this, however I must say this was a GREAT video in  the way it describes positions, etc. What a great job

  542

• AA

  @aaronh5258 · 3 years ago

  How in the good lord does this guy have less than 7k subscribers?! I don't think I've ever seen such high quality content from such a "small" youtuber. What a fantastic job.

  620

• AL

  @alexwod2755 · 4 years ago (edited)

  One small thing I would mention is that an "eight in the box" formation is frequently called a "goal-line formation/package" because it's often seen when the offense has nearly reached the goal-line/endzone. A formation with lots of defenders near the line of scrimmage is very attractive in this situation because the offense, and especially its pass catchers (WRs and TEs), has very little space to work with overall and is very likely to call a running play, which is a more reliable way to gain the few yards they need to score a touchdown. However, you'll also see this terminology used in a 3rd or 4th and short situation where it is also very likely that the offense will call a running play

  471

• MI

  @mikereiling7 · 4 years ago (edited)

  "Spy"  is another thing defensive players will do along with blitzing or dropping into coverage.  Spy or Key is when a defender is specifically responsible for one player on the offense. Sometimes an entire offense’s success can revolve around one specific player, so a defender will be assigned to watch and follow that one player throughout the play. Example: Ray Lewis keyed on Michael Vick all game to keep Vick contained in the pocket.

  321

• AM

  @americanfootballerfan · 4 years ago

  You should make more videos like this for American football. I can’t count how many of my friends that aren’t into American football because of how complicated it is, so this helps them out a ton.

  275

• AD

  @adrianwilson7193 · 3 years ago

  This is a game of "CHESS".

  4

• SP

  @spud3607 · 3 years ago

  As an NFL fan in England I often wondered what a "Nickle package" was. Thank you for this concise explanation.

  42

• CA

  @carsonianthegreat4672 · 3 years ago

  The Nose Tackle is called the Nose Guard when there are 5 defensive linemen.

  2

• WI

  @witherkay · 3 years ago

  This is great stuff, man. Takes a real talent to make complex information this easy to digest.<br><br>I&apos;ve been watching NFL from afar (in the UK) for more than 30 years, but because it&apos;s not in our schools or on our TV to the same degree I&apos;m always playing catch-up on terminology and tactics. So I still managed to take a lot from this &apos;beginners&apos; guide. Looking forward to more on this channel.

  42

• BR

  @brianmulholland2467 · 3 years ago

  Corrections/Nitpicks:<br>1) The Nose Tackle isn&apos;t about the number of defensive linemen, it&apos;s where he lines up - ie right over the NOSE of the offense (where the ball is snapped). &nbsp;You can have a 4-man defensive line and use a nose tackle (albeit usually slightly shaded to one side of the center) and then another regular defensive tackle playing over the opposite side guard or in the gap on either side of him, and of course the defensive ends.<br>2) I would have liked to have mentioned in the blitz section that blitzes aren&apos;t just about numbers. While extreme blitzes can literally send more defenders than the offense has blockers, this is considered risky and is something done rarely except by the rare crazy person (show a picture of Buddy Ryan). &nbsp;Instead, a blitz is most effective when it is directed to attack the rules the offensive line is using to coordinate their activity. Occupy two neighboring linemen each with a man, and then send a third in between and you can get quick penetration even if you send fewer people on the other side.<br>3) I think the coverage portion should have mentioned &apos;press&apos; coverage and explained how this disrupts the timing and route of the receiver but at the risk of big plays if he is beaten. &nbsp;<br><br>But generally a pretty good primer for someone just learning the game.

  97