Football 101 - Understanding the Basic Football Defenses

The basic goal of every defense is to stop opposing offenses from advancing down the field, but there are many different philosophies on the best way to accomplish that goal, including which formation is the best.

A defensive formation can be defined as a predetermined allignment of defensive players on the field. Theses are some of the more common defensive formations used in the game of football today.

• 4-3 Defense
  • Over/Under 4-3 Defense
  • 6-1 Defense
• 3-4 Defense
  • 3-4 Eagle Defense
• 4-4 Defense
• 5-2 Defense
• Nickel Defense
• Dime Defense