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Step 1
Use the extra defensive backs to keep the opposing offenses gain to a minimum. A dime defense employs six defensive backs to defend the pass. With these extra defensive backs comes a more mobile defensive package. Then you can use these faster players to limit big plays and gain field advantage during a given offensive series.
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Step 2
Play an umbrella zone that keeps the opposing offensive player in the front of the defenders. A team usually employs dime defenses on obvious passing plays. If you play an umbrella zone, it keeps all the offensive players in front of the defenders and in front of the first down marker. If the players tackle the offensive players before they get a first down then a punt is forced and field advantage gained.
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Step 3
Blitz the quarterback in a dime defense. This is a risky maneuver but usually in dime defense, the opposing team has a great distance to go to attain a first down and the blitz prohibits them from throwing a long pass to get the yardage. If the blitzing players sack the quarterback then the team gains significant field advantage.
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Step 4
Utilize a zone blitz to gain field advantage in the dime defense. A zone blitz usually does not send more than the normal four to five rusher toward the quarterback. Where the zone blitz differs is that offense does not know which four or five players are coming on the blitz. This can be a safer play call than a regular blitz but can result in a sack and a significant gain in field advantage.
