What is a nickel defense?

In American football, the nickel defense is a defensive formation that features five defensive backs, instead of the standard four. The nickel defense is typically used to defend against passing plays, as the extra defensive back provides additional coverage in the secondary.

The nickel defense gets its name from the fact that the extra defensive back is often referred to as the "nickel back." This player is usually a cornerback or a safety who is quick and agile enough to cover the slot receiver or tight end.

The most common alignment in a nickel defense is a 4-2-5, with four down linemen, two linebackers, and five defensive backs. The extra defensive back allows for more flexibility in coverage schemes and can help defend against the increasing number of spread passing attacks in modern football.

Overall, the nickel defense is a valuable tool for defensive coordinators to use when facing high-powered passing offenses, as it provides additional speed and coverage ability in the secondary to help prevent big plays in the passing game.