Nickelback - American Football Database

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This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2009)

This article is about the American football position. For the Canadian rock band, see Nickelback.

File:NickelbackFB.svg

In American football, a nickelback is a cornerback who serves as the fifth (in addition to the typical four) defensive back on the defense. A base defense contains four defensive backs, consisting of two cornerbacks, and two safeties. Adding an extra back makes five, hence the term "nickel", which is the name for 5-cent coins in the United States and Canada. Usually the nickelback will take the place of a linebacker, so if the team were to be in a 4–3 formation, there would now be four linemen, only two linebackers and five defensive backs creating a 4-2-5 formation. However, some teams will replace a lineman rather than a linebacker, creating a three linemen, three linebacker and five defensive back alignment, a 3–3–5 formation. If an offensive team always uses three or more wide receivers, a defense may turn to a nickel defense for their base package on most plays. Usually extra defensive backs, such as a nickelback, are substituted into the defense in situations where the opposing offense is likely to attempt a forward pass, such as 3rd-and-long, or when extra receivers are substituted into the opposing offense.

The nickelback is the third cornerback on the depth chart. The nickelback is not considered a starting position because the starting formation for a defense has only two cornerbacks. Defensive formations with three or more cornerbacks are used often enough that a nickelback will usually see moderate playing time (particularly in the modern, pass-oriented NFL) as well as subbing in for the starting corners.

Positions in American football and Canadian football
Offense		Defense		Special teams
Linemen	Guard, Tackle, Center	Linemen	Tackle, End, Nose tackle	Kicking players	Placekicker, Punter, Kickoff specialist
Quarterback		Linebackers		Snapping	Long snapper, Holder
Backs	Halfback (Tailback), Fullback, H-back	Backs	Cornerback, Safety	Returning	Punt returner, Kick returner
Receivers	Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback		Nickelback, Dimeback	Tackling	Gunner
Formations - Nomenclature

v · d · eGridiron football concepts Codes American Canadian (US–Canadian comparison) Arena Indoor 9-man 8-man 6-man Flag Touch Street/Backyard Levels of play High school College Sprint Women's Professional Field End zone Goal line Red zone Line of scrimmage Neutral zone Field goal range Out of bounds Sidelines Equipment Football (ball) Helmet Shoulder pads Uniform number Positions Offense Quarterback Running backs (Halfback, Fullback, H-back) Receivers (Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback) Linemen (Center, Guard, Tackle) Defense Linemen (Defensive tackle, Defensive end, Nose tackle) Linebacker Defensive back (Cornerback, Safety, Nickelback, Dimeback, Halfback) Special teams Placekicker Punter Kickoff specialist Long snapper Holder Punt returner Kickoff returner Return specialist Gunner Other Utility player Triple-threat man Skill position Game manager Play types Offense Rush Pass Incomplete pass Lateral Bootleg play Draw play End-around Flea flicker Flexbone formation Fourth down conversion Hail Mary pass Halfback option play Hook and lateral Kneel Motion Hurry-up offense Option run Option offense Play-action pass Quarterback keeper Quarterback sneak Quick kick Reverse Scramble Screen pass Spike Statue of Liberty Sweep Tackle-eligible Trick play Wildcat formation Defense Tackle Blitz Rush Sack Shooting the gap Stunt Zone blitz Special teams Kickoff Kickoff return Punt Punt return Drop kick Fair catch Fair catch kick Icing the kicker Onside kick Squib kick Conversion Scoring Touchdown Point after touchdown Two-point conversion Field goal Safety Single (rouge) Penalties Blocking below the waist Block in the back Chop block Clipping Delay of game Encroachment Equipment violations Face mask False start Helmet-to-helmet collision Horse-collar tackle Illegal contact Illegal formation Illegal forward kick Illegal forward pass Illegal hands to the face Illegal motion Illegal participation Illegal shift Illegal substitution Illegal touching Illegal touching of a free kick Illegal use of hands Ineligible receiver downfield Intentional grounding Holding Leaping Neutral zone infraction Offside Palpably unfair act Pass interference Personal foul Roughing the kicker Roughing the passer Roughing the snapper Sideline infraction Spearing Time count Tripping Unsportsmanlike conduct Turnovers Fumble Interception Muffed punt Turnover on downs Downs First down Three-and-out Fourth down conversion Play clock Timeout One-minute warning Two-minute warning Three-minute warning Running out the clock Untimed play Garbage time Statistics Carry Rushing yards Passing yards Passer rating Reception Receiving yards Return yards Total offense Yards from scrimmage All-purpose yardage Touchdown pass Celebrations Touchdown celebration Gatorade shower Officiating Officials Penalty flag Chain crew Miscellaneous Snap Dead ball Touchback Instant replay Coffin corner Resting the starters Glossary of American football Glossary of Canadian football Rules Rules in American football California playoff Concussions in American football

This American football-related article is a stub. You can help The American Football Database by expanding it.v · d · e

de:Nickelback (American Football) es:Nickelback (fútbol americano)

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