Essential Guide to Football Defensive Positions

In football, the defense’s job is to stop the opposing team from scoring. There are specific positions within those formations, like linebackers, defensive linemen, and defensive backs. For a defense to perform well collectively, it must have a blend of players with different skills. Some defensive players must be better against the run, others against the pass, and some must defend the run and pass. Below is an outline of defensive formations and the roles of each position within the formations.

Basic Defensive Positions

Below are the 3 football player defensive football groupings.

Defensive Line: The defensive line is the first initial wall of players that the offense must engage with on a play. They are mostly responsible for rushing the quarterback and containing the running game.
Linebackers: Linebackers have dual responsibilities for covering wide receivers and plugging holes for the running game.
Defensive Backs: The main job for defensive backs is to guard the offense’s receivers.

Roles & Responsibilities of Each Position

The individual positions that constitute the defensive backs are the cornerbacks and safeties. The defensive line consists of defensive ends, defensive tackles, and the nose tackle. The linebackers are typically grouped as the middle and outside linebackers. The number of positions within each group depends on the type of defensive formation. For instance, some teams might play with 4 linebackers, 3 defensive linemen, and 4 defensive backs. Others might play with 4 defensive linemen, 3 linebackers, and 4 defensive backs.

Defensive Ends: A defensive end has the job of making sure the offensive play doesn’t move outside of their position toward the sidelines. They line up on the corners of the defensive line. On running plays, they’re supposed to move the play to the inside. On a passing play, an end must try to sack or hurry up the quarterback. They’re disruptors, and their job is to make big plays whether that’s tackling a running back behind the line of scrimmage or sacking the quarterback.

Defensive Tackles: The job of the defensive tackles is two-fold. They must be run stoppers and pass rushers. For running plays, the tackle needs to beat the offensive lineman whom they’re being blocked by and bring down the running back. On pass plays, the tackle’s responsibility is to rush the quarterback. The ideal result is a sack or bad pass by the quarterback. In a 4-4-3 defense, there are 2 defensive tackles and 2 defensive ends, 4 linebackers, and 3 defensive backs. The two middle players on the line are the tackles.

Nose Tackle: A nose tackle lines up directly over the center. Not every team has a nose tackle. A nose tackle is used with a 3-4-4 defense. That’s when a team has 3 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers, and 4 defensive backs. The nose tackle’s job is to occupy the middle of the offensive line. That allows the linebackers freedom to make plays in running situations. On passing plays, the nose tackle’s job is to hold off linemen so the defensive tackles, ends, and linebackers can pressure the quarterback.

Linebackers: Linebackers have a dual rule in any defensive scheme. They are responsible for stopping the running backs and defending short passes over the middle. Their job is to react quickly to the play as it develops. If it’s a running play, they must move toward the line of scrimmage to try to tackle the running back. If it’s a passing play, a linebacker’s job is to cover the 5 to 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Usually, the pass catchers that are running short passing routes are the running backs. Often, if a team wants to put pressure on the quarterback, they’ll rush an extra linebacker.

Cornerbacks: The cornerbacks are the players positioned the farthest away from the line of scrimmage. The line of scrimmage is the spot where the offensive and defensive line are face-to-face on the field over the football. The job of the cornerbacks is to guard the wide receivers over the deepest parts of the field.

Safeties: Safeties are also used mostly for pass defense. They have responsibilities for the middle part of the field. Those are mostly midrange passes. In certain situations, teams will have their safeties move back and provide extra coverage against deep passes. Safeties will also rush the quarterback occasionally. When they rush the quarterback, it’s called a safety blitz.

Physical & Mental Attributes of Each Position

It’s important to find players who have the right physical and mental characteristics to play specific positions on defense. Some position groupings need to be bigger and stronger, others quicker and faster, and others a combination of both.

Defensive Linemen: All defensive linemen must be big, strong, and laterally quick. They should be relentless because they’ll have to take on blockers on every play at the line of scrimmage. Nose tackles are typically the biggest defensive linemen. They must be sturdy and strong-minded. Defensive ends are the most explosive athletes on the line. Their arm span should be longer and stronger than average because they often must use their hands first to shed blockers. Ends must be versatile because they can start either from a standing position, with one hand down, or with both hands down.
Defensive Backs: Defensive backs should be lanky, fast, and laterally quick. They’ll have to cover speedy receivers, who’ll be making stop-and-start moves and abrupt cuts. Cornerbacks are usually matched up against the best wide receivers. They are the fastest players on defense, and they have one primary job—to defend against the pass. Their vertical jump should be high enough to fight for a pass that is thrown above a receiver’s head. Safeties are usually taller than cornerbacks and typically stronger. They can provide help to cornerbacks on double teams, but they’re usually responsible for passes to the middle of the field. Safeties also should be physical enough to make big plays at the line of scrimmage. They provide support for running plays and sometimes rush the quarterback.
Linebackers: Typically, a linebacker is one of the leaders of the defense. They often call out defensive plays and formations after they’re signaled in by an assistant coach on the sidelines. A linebacker must be fast enough to cover receivers but strong enough to shed off blockers and make plays around the line of scrimmage. They generally don’t weigh as much as a defensive lineman but are bigger than the defensive backs. Linebackers also direct traffic for their teammates, adjusting their positions on the field.

Whether you’re a beginner or veteran, every position on defense requires certain physical and mental attributes for success. It’s unusual to have 1 player in 2 different defensive position groupings. For instance, a middle linebacker could play as an outside linebacker, but they wouldn’t likely double as a safety. The sooner you can find what position fits you best on defense, the better your long-term prospects are of succeeding and becoming a good defensive player, whether it's in grade school, high school, college, or professional football.