Linebackers and defensive ends are essential in football. They’re similar in tackles and pressure on quarterbacks, but there are distinctions. Football defensive leaders may pressure opposing quarterbacks or produce plays from anywhere on the field.
” Defensive ends and linebackers have different roles while stopping the run. When the ball is snapped, the defence lines up in front of offensive tackles. As an offensive lineman, you can’t let the running back escape.
LBs are the most dangerous defensive players since they’re unpredictable and adaptable. The offence knows where and when the D-line will rush. This article will dig out some more exciting facts about defensive end vs Linebacker.
Defensive Line
At the beginning of each down, the defensive line will take its place at the line of scrimmage. The following duties fall within the responsibility of the defensive line:
- defending against the offensive line of the other team’s attack.
- Preventing attacking players from making forward movement and getting closer to their goals.
- Reducing as much as possible the amount of space the ball carrier has to run through.
There are 11 different positions on the defence, and they are as follows: nose guard, defensive tackle, defensive end(2), inside Linebacker (2), outside Linebacker (2), cornerback(2), and safety.
The defensive line has two positions:
1. Defensive tackle (DT)
- Defensive tackles are the line’s centre.
- They pressure the quarterback and halt middle-of-the-field runs.
- A defensive lineman who lines up directly across from the ball is termed a nose tackle or nose guard.
2. Defensive end (DE)
- Two defensive ends play alongside defensive tackles on the defensive line.
- They attack the quarterback or block outside offensive runs.
- The speedier defender usually is on the quarterback’s blind side.
- Before the ball is snapped, a defensive lineman would often have his “hands on the ground” in a three- or four-point stance, unlike a linebacker, which starts in a two-point stance.
Linebackers
Linebackers are responsible for supporting the defensive line, as their name suggests.
In a typical defensive formation, three or four players are on the pitch at any time. Inside linebackers (ILB) or middle linebackers (MLB) stand behind the defensive tackles (DTs), while outside linebackers (OLB) stand to the sides of the defensive ends (DEs).
Generally speaking, linebackers are accountable for shadowing running backs, tight ends, and occasionally wide receivers, in addition to pressuring the quarterback and tackling ball carriers. People that play Linebacker are usually very physically capable and quick.
There are two positions for linebackers:
1. Middle Linebacker (MLB)
- The middle Linebacker is often dubbed the “inside linebacker” (particularly in a 3-4 scheme) and the “Mike” linebacker.
- They are often critical defensive play callers and must respond to various circumstances.
- Middle linebackers must stop running backs who get beyond the defensive line, cover middle throw plays, and blitz the quarterback.
2. Outside Linebacker (OLB)
- Distinct roles and team philosophies give outside linebackers different names. Some teams retain their outside linebackers on the same side of the field. Therefore they’re called ROLB and LOLB.
- Some teams classify them as “strongside (SLB)” or “weakside” (WLB).
- The strongside, or “Sam,” linebacker positions up opposite the offensive tight end, covering the tight end or running back on pass plays.
- The weak side, or “Will,” Linebacker sets up on the side of the offensive line without a tight end and is typically utilized to rush or blitz the quarterback.
American Football’s Differentiating Features
1. Running Game
- When it comes to stopping the run, the duties of the defensive end and Linebacker vary significantly.
- Immediately after the ball is snapped, the defensive end confronts the offensive tackle in a tense position.
- The defensive end can’t let the running back get outside him on a running play.
- If the offensive lineman pushes him inward on a rushing play toward the sidelines, it’s a bad idea for him to let it happen. He must make the tackle and attempt to get rid of the blocker.
- After the snap, a linebacker must go toward the ball’s direction to intercept it.
- The player must get to the ball carrier fast and make the tackle since he is situated back from the line of scrimmage.
- The player will likely have to battle off a few blocks to get to the running back, but he’ll have to do it.
2. Rushing the Passer
- It’s the defensive end’s job to rush the quarterback and attempt a sack virtually every time he throws the ball. It is healthy knowledge that defensive ends will attempt to go by offensive tackles and close in on the quarterback as he drops back to throw.
- The defensive end plans to get to the quarterback with speed, power, and inventiveness. On rare occasions, the Linebacker would go at the quarterback through a slit in the offensive line.
- The purpose of a blitz is to enable a linebacker to rush the quarterback at full speed without being blocked by an offensive lineman.
- This play is designed to shock the opposition.
3. Pass Coverage
- Sometimes, the defensive end would drop back five to 10 yards from his place on the defensive line to get engaged in pass coverage and try to prevent the short passing game from working.
- The Linebacker is often called upon to play pass defence.
- The player will have to deal with opposition running backs and tight ends in pass coverage.
- The player have the ability to deflect the ball, intercept or tackle an opponent after a catch is possible.
4. Leadership
In most teams, the Linebacker is the one who assumes greater responsibility for the defence as a whole.
With more responsibilities than any other defensive player, the Linebacker often calls plays in the defensive huddle and assigns specific roles to their teammates before the ball is snapped.
Linebackers are sometimes referred to as ” defensive captains on the football field,” although defensive ends are seldom given that role.
Various Defensive Position In American Football
Defensive backs, linebackers, and defensive linemen all fall under the umbrella term “defensive backs” in football. Depending on the structure, each side employs various players in each position group.
There are two positions on the defensive line: the defensive tackle (DT) and the defensive end (DE) (DE). The defensive line normally consists of three or four players and is composed of one or two defensive tackles, two defensive ends, and one or two defensive ends. Then there are the linebackers.
The middle Linebacker (MLB) and the left and correct outside linebackers make up the linebacker group (LOLB, ROLB). Finally, the defensive backs arrive (sometimes called the secondary). Cornerbacks (CB) and safeties (S) make up the defensive backs (S).
Eleven players make up the standard defensive line, three linebackers and three defensive backs.
- Defensive Tackles
- Defensive Ends
- Linebackers
- Cornerbacks
- Safeties (Strong Safety, Free Safety)
- Nose Tackle
There are two primary objectives when a team is playing defence:
- To re-establish their team’s offensive prowess
- A forced turnover or a punt will stop the other team from scoring.
FAQs
1. Is a linebacker a defensive end?
Football defensive ends can pressure opposing quarterbacks, which allows them to set the tone for the game. Linebackers are often the defensive leaders because of their versatility and ability to create plays all over the field.
2. Are defensive ends bigger than linebackers?
The most physically demanding aspects of the game take place on the defensive line. Linemen are often more prominent and more powerful than the rest of the squad because of this reason.
3. What is the difference between a defensive end and defensive tackle?
The defensive ends are the “ends” of the defensive line and are responsible for lining up outside the defensive tackles. Their job is to rush the quarterback or prevent offensive runs to the perimeter of the line of scrimmage, a duty that is sometimes referred to as “containment.”
Players line up outside of the defensive tackles in this formation. They need the strength and power to engage in combat with offensive linemen and the speed and agility to pursue and bring down the quarterback on passing plays. When playing a 3-4 defence, the defensive ends line up closer to the centre of the line than in other defensive formations.
4. What does a defensive end do?
A defensive end was expected to maintain his position throughout the run and pass games so that he would not lose yards by being forced off the ball. You are looking for a player who can maintain power in his lower body while driving up the hands and upper body of an opponent who is blocking him.
Conclusion
Football’s defensive ends and linebackers are crucial. Both positions make running tackles and pass rushes, but there are essential variances. Defensive ends can set the tone by pressuring opposing quarterbacks, while linebackers may create plays all over the field. I hope you find this article interesting.
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