JULIUS AND CO.
This position lines up on the outside edge of the defensive line, tasked with stopping the run and rushing the QB.
What is a defensive end?
Nicknamed the "quarterback of the defense," this middle linebacker relays play calls from the sideline. And it's not because of Stranger Things.
What is the Mike (middle linebacker)?
In this man-to-man scheme, five defenders cover receivers individually while one free safety plays deep as a safety net.
What is Cover 1?
This scheme emphasizes short, high-percentage passing routes designed to maximize yards after the catch, it's namesake has been blessed with beautiful weather.
What is the West Coast Offense?
This penalty occurs when a defender illegally contacts a receiver while the pass is in the air.
What is defensive pass interference?
This position lines up directly across from the center, right in the middle of the line — and its name has nothing to do with smelling out the play.
What is a nose tackle?
In this cornerback technique, the defender lines up directly facing the receiver to disrupt the route immediately.
What is press coverage?
This defensive strategy assigns each defender to follow one specific offensive player for the entire play, rather than covering an area.
What is man coverage?
This scheme uses the field horizontally with three to five receivers, often from the shotgun, to create mismatches sideline-to-sideline. Also something you may put on a bagel.
What is the Spread Offense?
This penalty is called when a player makes forcible contact to the head or neck of a defenseless player, or leads with the crown of the helmet. But also, no one really knows.
What is targeting?
This alignment has a defender on the outside shoulder of the offensive guard, responsible for the "B-gap."
What is 3-technique?
Usually the fastest and most athletic linebacker, this position lines up away from the tight end, unlike a character with the same name in Stranger Things.
What is the Will (weak-side linebacker)?
This term refers to the tight cluster of defenders near the line of scrimmage, focused on stopping the run.
What is "the box"?
This scheme balances power running and play-action passing out of formations like the I-formation. This is used a lot in the NFL (hint, hint).
What is a Pro-Style Offense?
Beyond the 15-yard penalty and automatic first down, a first-offense targeting call results in this.
What is ejection for the rest of the game?
This position's job is simply to occupy blockers and stop interior runs, sometimes tackling the running back directly.
What is a defensive tackle?
This defensive back lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage, protecting against the deep pass, he also looks incredible.
What is a safety?
This is the side of the offensive formation with more players or an extra blocker, usually where the tight end lines up.
What is the strong side?
This scheme relies on pure deception, with the QB reading an unblocked defender to decide whether to hand off, keep, or pitch the football.
What is the Triple Option?
This penalty happens when a receiver illegally pushes off a defender to gain an advantage — 10 yards against the offense.
What is offensive pass interference (OPI)?
Called a DE in a 4-3 defense or an OLB in a 3-4 defense, this specialized position's main job is beating tackles to sack the quarterback. Think Texas No. 1.
What is an edge rusher?
Typically faster and more nimble than his counterpart, this type of safety focuses on deep zone coverage and tracking the ball across the whole field.
What is a free safety?
This coverage splits the deep field into four equal vertical quadrants using four deep defenders.
What is Cover 4?
This type of play lets the offense either run or pass based on a defender's post-snap reaction, giving the offense the most options.
What is an RPO (run-pass option)?
This penalty happens when a quarterback purposely throws the ball away with no eligible receiver nearby, just to avoid a sack.
What is intentional grounding?