What is dime in football?

The dime package refers to six defensive backs on the field at the same time. The defense now employs four down linemen, one linebacker and six defensive backs. It is a lot like the nickel package. The only difference is a sixth defensive back for the Sam linebacker.

What is dime and nickel in football?

Nickel means five defensive backs (usually three CB's and two safeties, but can be reversed). Dime is six DB's, Quarter is seven, and Dollar is eight. As you can see, defensive formations are all about personnel on the field. Their responsibilities vary, even within each formation.

What position is dime in football?

In American football, a dimeback is a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back (fourth cornerback, third safety; and in some rare cases, a fourth safety) on defense. The third cornerback or safety on defense is known as a nickelback.

What is dime defense used for?

The dime defense is used to defend obvious passing situations or spread offense formations. This is because more defensive backs are needed to cover extra wide receivers. Although it is used less often than a nickel defense, the dime is still common knowledge and terminology among coaches, players, and analysts.

Why is a touchdown called a dime?

It's often used by announces, players, and fans to describe a hard pass that was made perfectly. The term “dime” originated from the days of payphones. Phone calls from payphones normally cost 10 cents. When someone didn't have 10 cents on them to make a call, they would ask for assistance.

NFL 101: The Dime Defense | NFL

Why is a 3 point shot called a dime?

It's simple and comes from the phrase “passing on a dime.” It calls to a pass so accurate, the passer could bounce the ball off a tiny dime on the ground into his teammate's hands.

Why is it called a dime in football?

This sixth defensive back is called a "dimeback" (D). The defense gets its name because a dime, worth ten cents, is the next step up in United States coin currency from a nickel, which is worth 5 cents.

What is the difference between a dime and nickel defense?

The term nickel refers to the currency, which is equal to 5 cents. Nickel defenses are used on 3rd downs when the defense expects the offense to throw the football. Dime & quarter defenses have 6 and 7 defensive backs on the field to protect against deep passes or Hail Mary throws.

What is a blitz in football?

In gridiron football, blitzing is a tactic used by the defense to disrupt pass attempts by the offense. During a blitz, a higher than usual number of defensive players will rush the opposing quarterback, in an attempt either to tackle them or force them to hurry his pass attempt.

What is a nickelback defense?

In American football, a nickel defense (also known as a 4–2–5 or 3–3–5) is any defensive alignment that uses five defensive backs, of whom the fifth is known as a nickelback. The original and most common form of the nickel defense features four down linemen and two linebackers.

What is a 3 4 defense in football?

In American football, the 3–4 defense is a common defensive alignment consisting of three down linemen and four linebackers. It is a called a "base defense" because it will readily switch to other defensive alignments (such as a nickel defense or a dime defense) as circumstances change.

What is a Sam linebacker?

The strongside linebacker (SLB) is often nicknamed the "Sam" for purposes of calling a blitz. Since the strong side of the offensive team is the side on which the tight end lines up, or whichever side contains the most personnel, the strongside linebacker usually lines up across from the tight end.

What is 12 personnel in football?

The two numbers in '12 Personnel' refer to how many running backs (1st number) and tight ends (2nd number) will be on the field for the offense.

What is a nickelback in football players?

The nickelback was once a defensive player who would only see the field in obvious passing downs. In these situations, the defense would sub out a defensive linemen or linebacker for a fifth member of the secondary. This way the defense is able to protect against extra receivers on the field.

What is a cover 6 defense?

Cover 6 call defensive strength to the Field instead of to the offensive formation or front, and organize personnel by Field-side player and Boundary-side player. The position of the ball on the field therefore dictates strength of the offense.

What is the Cover 2 defense in football?

What is Cover 2? The base Cover 2 is a zone defense where every defender is responsible for an area of the field and not a specific man. The field is divided into five underneath zones and two deep zones. The two corners and three linebackers play the underneath fifths, and the two safeties play the deep halves.

What is a quarter defense?

Quarter defense. The quarter defense has three down linemen, one linebacker, and seven defensive backs. Half-dollar defense. The half-dollar defense has eight defensive backs, no linebackers and three defensive linemen.

What is the weakness of the nickel defense?

The nickel defense's main weakness lies in defending the run game. Even though it includes four down linemen, the lack of a third (or sometimes second) linebacker can be problematic when defending against the run.

What is Cover 3 defense?

Cover 3 is a zone defense with 4 underneath players, and 3 deep players. A defense like this allows you to distribute almost equal amount of players to the deep part of the field and the underneath coverage on the field.

What does it mean when a quarterback throws a dime?

They define a “dime” as a pass that travels at least 30 yards in the air and fits into windows of one yard or less.

What is a 3 2 6 defense football?

The 3-2-6 is basically a recognition that the 3-4 isn't optimal for defending spread offenses and the expansion of a dime package into a base defense.

What is a cover 1 defense?

A Cover 1 call tells the defense that it is man coverage across the board with a specifically assigned player underneath taking away the intermediate to short middle of the field. Whether it is a “robber” or “hole” call can change who is the underneath zone defender in cover 1 looks.

What is a 3-4 multiple defense?

The 3-4 defense consists of three defensive linemen (two defensive ends, one nose tackle) and four linebackers (two outside linebackers, two inside linebackers).