Xs and Os: Defensive and Special Teams Positions

by Arnaldo

Obviously after covering offensive positions, defensive and special positions were to follow.  A lot of these positions vary depending on the defensive scheme but we'll get into that later.  For now we'll just assume a standard 4-3 defense.

Defensive Positions

Defenses have three levels, the defensive line, linebackers, and the secondary.  I realize the secondary is the third level of the defense, but the name comes from the term "the box" which combines the d-line and the linebackers making the secondary the second line of defense.  Keep in mind that the rules allow defensive players to move freely and line up anywhere on their side of the line of scrimmage, so where I say these players line up may change during an actual game but they will usually line up there.

Defensive Tackles and Ends.  The defensive line consists of these.  The term "tackle" refers to the offensive tackles, if not the act of tackling, so the defensive position is usually referred to as a defensive tackle.  The defensive line has one job: tackle whoever has the ball.  On pass plays they are trying to penetrate the pocket to tackle the quarterback (a sack).  On run plays they are still trying to penetrate the offensive line to reach the ball carrier.  How they do this does vary depending on the particular play.  Defensive tackles line up in a 3-point-stance on either side of (and facing) the center and usually try to penetrate the A-gap, the gap between the center and either guard.  In a 3-4 scheme, or any time a defensive tackle lines up directly in front of the center, he is referred to as the nose tackle.  Defensive tackles are usually the biggest players on the team weighing in between 300-370 pounds. 

Defensive ends line up other outside the defensive tackles also in a 3-point-stance.  They push the tackles while also trying to get around them using their speed.  Defensive ends are usually smaller and quicker and there's a recent trend that is making them even smaller.  The days of 290 pound ends are approaching their end.  Now, most teams (especially in 4-3 schemes) use 250-275 pound ends that are quicker to get around the tackle to make a sack, and can still drop back into coverage on specialized plays (see Jarvis Moss, Derrick Harvey).

Linebackers.  The second level of defense are linebackers who line up, stay with me here, behind the d-line.  Their roles are typically more complex than that of the linemen.  In man coverage they are assigned an offensive skill player to cover, while in zone they have a tight zone to cover.  They're also the most common blitzers (whoever rushes the quarterback besides the d-line).   There are usually 3 linebackers on the field, two outside linebackers and a middle linebacker.  They also have nicknames to distinguish which linebacker they are.  The middle linebacker is referred to as Mike, the strong side linebacker is Sam, and the weak side linebacker is Will.  The strong side of the field is determined by which side of the offensive line the tight end line up , the opposite side is the weak side.  More times than not, the right side (from the offensive's perspective) is the strong side.  Furthermore, if the tight end goes in motion to the opposite side, the defensive assignments may shift over so that Sam doesn't have to move with him, unless that particular match-up is critical for the defense.  Linebackers are typically lean but very well built.  They are usually around 245-270 pounds.  The middle linebacker is typically largest of the three but doesn't necessarily need to be.

Cornerback.  The cornerbacks along with safeties make up the secondary.  Cornerbacks line up one on one against the X and Z receivers, in most schemes.  They must be among the fastest players on the team to keep up with the receivers.  Cornerbacks are not only responsible for not letting his assignment get into open space, if a pass comes his way he has to put himself between the ball and the receiver without interfering on the receivers ability to catch the ball (this would result in a pass interference call), and if he can, make an interception.  Cornerbacks are sometimes called on to blitz.  Because of their angle towards the quarterback, they often sneak up on him, so much so that former quarterback coach and head coach Jon Gruden calls them corner cats (see Ronde Barber, Darrelle Revis).

Safeties.  Safeties come in two varieties and there are usually only two on the field: strong safeties and free safties.  Strong safeties are usually stronger but the name derives from strong side, where the strong safety lines up behind the Sam linebacker (see Ahmad Black, John Lynch).  Free safeties line up loosely behind the strong safety but on the weak side of the field.  They typically are a bit quicker than strong safeties.  Safeties in general sit back and wait to see the play unfold before engaging.   If the play develops into a run, the safeties will engage to assist on the tackle from the "north" (the direction the offense is facing) so that in case the ball carrier escapes a few tackles, the safety is prepared to make the last possible tackle.  Safeties are taught to never find themselves behind the offense, but different coverage schemes might have them on unusual parts of the field and certain blitz schemes might utilize safeties as pass rushers.

Special Teams Positions

A football team usually has 5 special teams.  It could have fewer depending on how the personnel carry over, but there are 5 different needs for a special team: kick-offs, kick returns, punts, punt returns, and onside kicking/receiving (hands teams).  Field goals typically use the same team that handles punts but with a kicker instead of a punter, and a holder.  The majority of each special team is made up of starters and back-ups of various positions with the addition of a few specialized roles and a few specialized positions.

Let me begin by differentiating a role and a position.  A position is the type of  player who handles certain responsibilities.  A role is a job that could be filled by a certain position or various positions.  A quarterback is a position, the starting quarterback is a role. 

photo: photo-gator (Flickr)

Kicker.  The kicker handles the kick-off and field goal kicking.  A kicker's experience probably includes punting, but the two positions are specialized, so there is a designated kicker and punter.  Keep in mind punting involves receiving the snapped ball, dropping it and kicking, while kicking refers to kicking the ball from a tee or by a live place holder.

Punter.  Already kind of defined above, a punter is called upon on 4th down situations to strategically giving up a down to move the ball as far back as possible for the other offense to use.  In the event of a safety, a punt by the nonscoring team is required to return the ball back to the scoring team's offense from the 20 yard line, though a tee-less kick or a drop kick is also allowed.  College rules now allow a team to kick off the ball with a tee from the 20 instead.  Punters and kickers have no size significance.  Their skills lie solely on their abilities to kick, so usually they may vary in height but are usually very skinny.

photo: photo-gator (Flickr)

Long snapper.  The long snapper is a specialized position.  On punts and field goal tries, he will line up at center, and snap the ball back to the punter or holder.  This requires him to be a much more precise snapper than the starting center.  The long snapper also needs to see his snap for precision while a center snaps while facing forward.

Holder. The holder is a role.  It's usually filled by a punter or occasionally a backup quarterback.  On field goal attempts they catch the football from long snapper and quickly set it up to be kicked.

Punt/kick returner.  These are also roles filled usually by the fastest shiftiest player, typically a wide receiver, running back, or defensive back.  There is usually a separate punt returner than kick returner.  Some kickoff formations have two possible returners on both sides of the field.  Returners need to be fast, but the ability to read blocks down field, escape tackles, and make quick cuts and jukes are probably just, if not more, important than pure speed.