Secondary

The secondary players cover the receivers downfield or tackle running backs who passed linebackers. They are different defensive backs who occupy the farthest backfield positions. These players require speed, quickness, perfect tackling and pass covering ability to succeed in the battle.

The secondary positions are cornerback, safety and defensive back packages. There are two cornerbacks on the field. It covers a wide receiver on its side. CB must be fast and ready to intercept the pass or unbalance the receiver. The safeties play on the strong or weak side. Strongside safety protects the run and free safety’s responsibility is to help cover deep passes outside the cornerback’s visibility. Sometimes the teams use extra safeties or CBs which are called a nickel, dime and dollar back correspondingly.

Their responsibilities and qualities depend on the defense type. Man-to-man coverage supposes opposition with the certain offensive player. Zone coverage shares zones between safeties. Sometimes the cornerbacks move to the line of scrimmage and disrupt the wide receiver. This tactic is called bump-and-run.