Chapter 18: Ready for Battle
Bit of an info chapter.
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Unlike the offensive team, which has a simpler structure, the defensive team must cover the entire field, making teamwork and division of labor essential. Defensive positions are clear-cut and can be broken down into four layers, stretching from near the line of scrimmage all the way to the deep backfield.
First layer: Defensive line.
As the name suggests, this unit faces the offensive line directly. Their job is straightforward—break through the offensive line and disrupt the quarterback. Ideally, this results in a sack (tackling the quarterback), ending that play immediately.
Second layer: Linebackers.
Positioned just behind the defensive line, linebackers are spread about two or three yards back. Divided into inside linebackers and outside linebackers, their responsibilities are twofold:
Defend short passes.Stop running plays.
This means that in a standard playbook, the linebacker vs. running back matchup is a core battle. However, actual gameplay introduces numerous variables. In both NFL and NCAA, two common defensive schemes are "4-3" and "3-4."
"4-3" defense: Four defensive linemen work with three linebackers, focusing on pressuring the pocket. In this setup, there are two defensive ends and two defensive tackles."3-4" defense: Three defensive linemen and four linebackers focus more on short-pass defense. The defensive line has one nose tackle and two defensive ends, with the nose tackle playing a crucial role, often called the "point man."
Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses, and success largely depends on the coach's expertise. Alabama, for instance, uses the 3-4 defense.
Third layer: Cornerbacks.
These players act as the wings of the defense, positioned at the edges of the field. Their specific location adjusts based on where the offensive wide receivers are lined up. Their job is to cover short and medium pass zones, but sometimes they'll have to defend tight ends and running backs too.
Fourth layer: Safeties.
These are the last line of defense, stationed at the back of the field. Unlike goalkeepers in soccer, safeties have the freedom to roam, filling any gaps that appear in coverage. Depending on their role, safeties are divided into free safeties and strong safeties.
Free safeties are quicker and more agile, roaming the field to help wherever needed.Strong safeties are bulkier and stronger, often acting as a hybrid between a linebacker and a safety, covering tight ends and running backs.
In most defensive formations, teams field two cornerbacks and two safeties. However, whether a team deploys both types of safeties depends on the coach's strategy.
Take yesterday's trial practice, for example:
Allen is a defensive end. His job is to stop running backs and pressure the quarterback.Foster is a linebacker.Humphrey is a cornerback.Jackson is a free safety.
These four players represent the four layers of the defense, arranged from the line of scrimmage to the deep secondary.
Typically, a running back would be stopped by Allen, or at the latest by Foster. Neither Humphrey nor Jackson is particularly strong against running backs. However, they all underestimated Lance's abilities—especially his agility and quick change of direction—allowing him to escape Allen twice and run 50-yard touchdowns. Even on the third attempt, after being tackled, Lance still managed to push ahead another 10 yards.
No wonder they all looked at Lance like they'd just seen Godzilla when they showed up for practice today.
In fact, you could simplify things even further by dividing the defense into two key areas:
The front seven: Made up of the defensive line and linebackers, responsible for handling the immediate threats.The secondary: Consisting of cornerbacks and safeties, tasked with defending the deeper areas of the field.
How these two groups work together is a test of the coach's skill, as defensive strategies are just as intricate as offensive ones.
All of these complexities make football such an intriguing sport. While other team sports often feature moments of individual heroism where a single player can turn the tide, in football, that's incredibly rare. Occasionally, there's a flash of brilliance, but even those moments rely heavily on the strength of the team behind them.
For much of Lance's life—whether in his previous life or his new one—he had always fought alone, challenging himself to break his limits. Now, though, things were different. This was a new and exciting challenge, one that was all about teamwork.
To Lance, this was like assembling a complex Lego set. Piece by piece, layer by layer, he was breaking down football into its components, learning the role each piece played, and then reconstructing it.
In football, every little action triggers a chain reaction.
Focusing solely on his own role would never give him the full picture. To truly understand the game, he needed to grasp the entire strategy. Otherwise, he'd end up running into walls, unsure of why things weren't working and unable to improve.
Of course, just understanding the big picture doesn't guarantee success. But at least it helps prevent getting trapped in an endless cycle of mistakes.
Originally, Lance had thought he'd just show up, clock in, and get by. Now, though, his mindset had shifted. This felt like solving a complex Rubik's cube—restoring it to its original state was fun, sure, but figuring out the underlying mechanics and uncovering the solution? That was far more exciting.
Lance was ready—itching to get started.
Bang!
A resounding crash echoed across the field as Allen tackled Jacobs. He flipped Jacobs onto his back, slamming him to the ground with the force of a video game character.
Lance licked his lips, sensing the adrenaline in the air. "Wait a minute... why did the pocket collapse so quickly?"
Clark, noticing the excitement in Lance's eyes, blinked nervously. Is this guy a vampire?
"Fifth string?" Lance called out, snapping Clark back to reality.
Clark took a deep breath. "Oh, that was a blitz. The defense sent extra pressure."
"A blitz?" Lance replayed the scene in his mind—
The linebackers, who should've been guarding against a short pass or a run, had charged forward aggressively, linking up with the defensive line. With a numbers advantage, they overwhelmed the offensive line, breaking through the pocket and leaving Hurts surrounded, with no escape.
In a panic, Hurts tossed the ball to Jacobs, hoping to avoid a sack.
But Allen had anticipated the move, and when Jacobs caught the ball, Allen was there. No escape. He ended the play right then and there.
Lance smiled. "Interesting."
It seemed that the defense wasn't purely reactive—they could seize the initiative too. That's what made football stand out from soccer or basketball.
In those sports, the defensive side is mostly reactive, waiting for their chance to transition to offense. But in football, the defense can go on the attack whenever the opportunity arises, turning the tables in an instant—even scoring points in the process.
Clark, noticing Lance's smile, shivered and swallowed hard. Something about this guy seems... off.
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