Football Glossary

Modern offenses in football place a high value on throwing the football, and utilizing speedy playmakers to generate successful football plays. With this being said, you may ask, where does the typically bigger, slower defensive tackle fit into the game of football? While the game evolves, the answer is unchanging, as defensive tackles play a critical role in stopping the run, and putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Their job is blue-collar and hard-nosed, and their effort is one that often doesn't match with flashy stats and recognition. Whether it’s swallowing up double teams, batting down a pass, or coming up...

Cover 2 is a very common zone coverage that is used to cover short breaking routes, while giving defenses 2 over the top safeties. How does Cover 2 work? Cover 2, is a zone coverage. In a 4-3 defense, there are 5 underneath players and two deep safeties. The two deep safeties divide the field in half and work over the top of the 5 underneath players. “Underneath” meaning that they cover short routes, which are run underneath the two safeties. In a 4-3 defense, your two corners, and three linebackers are the underneath players. Why do defenses use Cover 2?...

Are tight ends still a big part of the game? In the midst of offensive trends of spreading the field and throwing the football at a high rate becoming the new norm in football, the answer now more than ever, is yes. As we uncover below, tight ends arguably present the biggest matchup problem on the field for opposing defenses. Tall, strong, nimble and coordinated are a few of the many terms that describe tight ends in today’s game of football. Elite athletes with many responsibilities in an offense, you’ll see just why their unique blend of size and athleticism...

If you take one glance at an NFL defensive end, you’ll probably quickly pick up on why the offensive tackle spot is widely considered the most important spot on the offensive line. In the meantime, the guard spot falls under the radar, and out of the little spotlight that the offensive line has as it is. However, guards play an under-appreciated role in the architecture of every successful offense in today’s game of football, but still remain one of the most important offensive football positions. Combining the ability to take on mammoth defensive tackles, and pulling out on the edge...

Offensive lineman are the steady force behind each successful offense. When things are going smoothly, the skill players will receive the glory, and an offensive lineman is just fine with that. On the flipside, the offensive line unit is quick to receive blame when things aren’t going so well for the offense. Their job is crucial, and is unquestionably one of the most important offensive football positions, yet slow to be glorified by outsiders. Perhaps none more so than the offensive tackle, who is tasked with being on an island against an opposing team's best pass rusher all game. Positioned...