American football has 11 positions on the field. These positions are often labeled in position groups, as coaches can talk about a set of players rather than one player. This is the same on offense and defense.
In football, defensive backs (also known as a DB) are responsible for covering wide receivers. Defensive backs are also categorically grouped with cornerbacks, strong safeties, and free safeties.
This article will explain what a DB in American Football is and why their positions are essential.
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Defensive Backs In Football
A DB in American Football is short for a defensive back. These players are often the fastest players on the defensive side of the ball, as they are tasked with covering wide receivers.
They are called defensive backs because they are often the last line of defense, the back of the defense.
Positions are often grouped in American football, as it’s easier to control a chunk of players than individual positions.
For instance, it’s easier to say the D-Line instead of every defensive line position. Instead of naming every linebacker type, it’s easier to say “the linebackers.”
This is the same for the DBs, as they are often the 4 (or 3) players included in the defensive backfield. Let’s learn all the players that are considered defensive backs.
If you’re looking to learn more about the defensive back position, we offer free training guides, as well as a complete football handbook. Inside the handbook, you’ll find all you need to know about the man and zone coverages and what defensive backs are tasked with on every play.
Cornerback
A cornerback is responsible for covering wide receivers. The cornerback is often the widest player on the field, covering the widest receiver on the field.
These players are often tall and long players or short and fast players. Playing cornerback takes a tremendous amount of athleticism, as the player needs to work both forward and backward.
NFL players such as Stephon Gilmore and Darrelle Revis are masters at their craft. These players shut down some of the top wide receivers in the league.
Playing cornerback requires extreme patience and ball skills to track it through the air.
Cornerbacks are one of the DBs found in pretty much every defense.
Strong Safety
The strong safety position is also part of the DB groupings. Strong safety is found within most defenses, although coaches may choose not to use a strong safety.
Strong safeties are often too small to be linebackers but can still hit and track the football like a defensive back. These players are responsible for covering the pass and playing the run.
They call them strong safeties because the player must play the run and play the pass. These players often line up on the strong side of the formation.
The strong side of the formation includes either the running strength (where there are more tight ends and fullbacks) or the passing strength (where there are more eligible receivers).
It requires toughness and athleticism to play this defensive back position.
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Free Safety
Free safety is a defensive back position found in every defense.
They call it safety because it’s the last line of defense. These players ensure the offense doesn’t score if an explosive play happens.
An explosive play is often a run or a pass play that results in 15 or more yards. If an offense can gain 15 or more yards on a run or pass play, it will be a long day for the defense.
If the defensive line or the linebackers miss a tackle, it’s up to the safety to make a tackle. Often, if the safety misses a tackle, the offense scores a touchdown.
The safety position is one of the most critical defensive backs on the field, as they are the safety valve of the defense.
If you’re interested in learning more about positions in American Football, read here.
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Is a DB The Same As a CB?
A cornerback is a defensive back. A defensive back is a name for the grouping of defensive players. These defensive players include cornerbacks and safeties. There are often 3 or 4 defensive backs on the field at all times.
Defensive backs are often the fastest players on the field, as they need to cover the wide receivers on offense.
Football has transitioned more to a speed game rather than a power game. The more speed on the offensive side of the ball needs to be matched by the speed on the defensive side of the ball.
This is why DBs are important to defense and play an essential role in shutting down the offense.
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Below are more articles to help you learn about defensive backs.
What Does A Safety Do In Football? Learn Here
A DB in American Football is a defensive back. Defensive backs are responsible for ensuring no touchdowns are scored if a defensive lineman or linebacker misses a tackle.
DBs are also responsible for covering wide receivers and ensuring no passes are entirely down the field. Defensive backs are often tasked with covering wide receivers in man coverage or playing an area of the field known as zone coverage.
Defensive backs are tall and longer players or shorter and faster players. This all depends on the coach’s preference and what type of player he wants to play in that defensive back position.
DBs have one of the hardest positions on the field physically but one of the easiest mentally. The defensive back position is often the least physical position, as players are rarely tackling and involved in physical plays.
Defensive backs require more athleticism and ball skills to catch or knock away the football when thrown.
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