How to Cover Receivers in a Nickel Defense

The nickel defense is used in football to protect against the pass. It's so-named because it uses five defensive backs, instead of the usual four. The nickel defense is used primarily in obvious passing situations, such as late in the game or in long yardage situations.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand that the nickel defense is designed to protect against the pass. Use the nickel defense on obvious passing downs when your opponent replaces a fullback with an extra wide receiver.

2. Bring in an extra defensive back. Remove another defensive player from the game to make room for the fifth defensive back, often referred to as the nickel back. The nickel back is usually a safety, but a corner back may also be used.

3. Recognize that you have two choices: either replace a defensive lineman or replace a linebacker with the nickel back. In the former, the defense will line up with three linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs. In the latter, the defense will line up with four linemen, two linebackers and five defensive backs.

4. Use either a zone coverage or man to man coverage in the nickel defense. Choose the type of coverage based on what formation the offensive team shows at the line of scrimmage.

5. Know the weakness in the nickel defense. This defense takes defenders away from the front line. The defense is, thus, more vulnerable to a surprise running play.

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