3-4 Defense
A defense with three defensive linemen and four linebackers.
Glossary category
College Football Defense Glossary
These entries explain how defenses align, cover, rush, tackle, and create negative plays or turnovers.
Back to all glossary termsTop Defense Terms
3-4 DefenseA defense with three defensive linemen and four linebackers.4-3 DefenseA defense with four defensive linemen and three linebackers.A-GapThe gap between the center and guard.Assisted TackleA tackle credited to more than one defender.B-GapThe gap between the guard and tackle.Base DefenseA team's standard defensive personnel package before substituting extra defensive backs.Bear FrontA defensive front that covers the center and both guards to clog interior gaps.BlitzA defensive call that sends extra rushers after the quarterback.
All Defense Definitions
56 terms
4-3 Defense
A defense with four defensive linemen and three linebackers.
A-Gap
The gap between the center and guard.
Assisted Tackle
A tackle credited to more than one defender.
B-Gap
The gap between the guard and tackle.
Base Defense
A team's standard defensive personnel package before substituting extra defensive backs.
Bear Front
A defensive front that covers the center and both guards to clog interior gaps.
Blitz
A defensive call that sends extra rushers after the quarterback.
Box
The area near the line of scrimmage where defenders align to stop the run.
Bracket Coverage
Coverage where two defenders work together to limit one receiver.
C-Gap
The gap outside the offensive tackle.
Contain
A responsibility to keep the ball carrier or quarterback from escaping outside.
Cover 0
Man coverage with no deep safety help, often paired with heavy pressure.
Cover 1
Man coverage with one deep safety.
Cover 2
Zone coverage with two deep defenders.
Cover 3
Zone coverage with three deep defenders.
Cover 4
Zone or match coverage with four deep defenders, often called quarters.
Coverage
The defensive strategy used to guard receivers and defend passes, usually through man coverage, zone coverage, or a mix of both.
Coverage Sack
A sack caused largely by strong pass coverage rather than immediate pass-rush pressure.
Dime Defense
A defensive package with six defensive backs.
Even Front
A defensive front with an even number of down linemen, often four.
Force Player
A defender responsible for turning a run back inside.
Forced Fumble
A defensive play that causes the ball carrier to lose possession.
Front
The defensive alignment near the line of scrimmage, usually describing linemen and linebackers.
Fumble Recovery
Recovering a loose ball after a fumble.
Gap
The space between offensive linemen that defenders are assigned to control.
Havoc Rate
The percentage of plays where a defense creates disruption.
Man Coverage
Coverage where defenders are responsible for specific offensive players.
Match Coverage
A hybrid coverage that starts like zone but turns into man-like responsibilities based on route patterns.
Missed Tackle
A failed tackle attempt by a defender.
Nickel Defense
A defensive package with five defensive backs.
Odd Front
A defensive front with an odd number of down linemen, often three.
Off Coverage
Coverage where a defender gives the receiver cushion before the snap.
Pass Breakup
A defender prevents a pass from being completed without intercepting it.
Passes Defended
Interceptions plus pass breakups.
Pick Six
An interception returned for a touchdown.
Press Coverage
Tight coverage where a defender aligns close to the receiver at the line of scrimmage.
Pressure
A pass-rush event that disrupts the quarterback, including sacks, hits, hurries, or forced movement.
Pressure Rate
The percentage of opponent dropbacks where the defense pressures the quarterback.
QB Hit
Contact on the quarterback after or during a passing attempt that does not necessarily become a sack.
QB Hurry
A defensive pressure that disrupts the quarterback without becoming a sack.
Quarters Coverage
Another name for Cover 4, with four defenders responsible for deep quarters of the field.
Run Fit
A defender's assigned responsibility against the run.
Sack
A tackle of the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage on a passing play.
Scoop and Score
A fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.
Solo Tackle
A tackle credited to one defender.
Spill
A defensive technique that forces a runner outside toward pursuit help.
Spy
A defender assigned to mirror and contain a mobile quarterback.
Stack the Box
Adding extra defenders near the line of scrimmage to defend the run.
Stuff Rate
The percentage of rushing plays stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage.
Stunt
A defensive line movement designed to confuse blockers.
Tackle
A defensive stop that ends the ball carrier's advance.
Tackle for Loss
A tackle that stops the offense behind the line of scrimmage.
Twist
A pass-rush stunt where two defenders exchange rushing paths.
Zone Blitz
A blitz where some traditional pass rushers drop into coverage while other defenders rush.
Zone Coverage
Coverage where defenders are responsible for areas of the field.