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Step 1
Assign one of the defenders to spy on the quarterback. If the quarterback is an exceptional runner, the defense may want to assign one to follow the quarterback wherever he goes. This is risky, because it takes one player out of pass coverage but it can limit the running opportunities of a skilled quarterback.
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Step 2
Play zone in the dime defense. In a zone defense, a player is responsible for a specific area on the field and any opposing player that may venture into this area. This makes it more difficult for the offense to design a play that gets the defensive players out of position for a quarterback to run the football as it is in man-to-man defense.
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Step 3
Run a zone blitz in the dime defense. In a zone blitz, most any defensive player can drop into pass coverage or rush the quarterback on a blitz. This uncertainty can confuse a skilled quarterback, therefore making him less effective.
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Step 4
Make sure the defenders that are rushing the quarterback maintain their lane integrity. Lane integrity means that each defensive player is responsible for a possible running lane for the quarterback. It is each player's job against a skilled quarterback to stay in those lanes and not allowed the quarterback to escape the pocket through those lanes.
