Football Defense: Goal Line

The Goal Line Defense is similar in appearance to the 6-2, but the responsibilities are different due to the proximity to the goal line. There is no tomorrow at the goal line. No need to worry about deep coverages or even medium ones.

The middle two linebackers stay back in order to meet the running back as he comes to the line, particularly if the back leaves his feet and dives for the end zone. The outer two linebackers (or CBs) have the luxury of playing run first with containment responsibilities, leaving all six down linemen free to penetrate and drive into the offensive back field. If the offense passes the ball, the middle two linebackers (who remained back) fall back to the end zone in zone pass coverage occupying the middle, while the outside two linebackers retreat to cover the corners of the end zone. The Safety reads the quarterback's eyes and plays the ball.

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