The 7 Most Common Defenses in Football

To the amateur eye, how different defenses are set up on the football field—and why they choose to align a certain way—can be confusing to grasp.

Coaches have different philosophies on defensive formations, based on the players they have, what they're expecting out of the opposing offense and what they feel most comfortable with.

In most cases, it's one of seven different formations. Here's a breakdown of each one and why coaches may choose them come game day.

Discuss This Article