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specifically to make the free safety expect a run play, which would draw him closer to the line of scrimmage, and reduce his effectiveness as a pass defender. Furthermore, quarterbacks often use a technique to "look off" a free safety, by looking away from the intended target receiver's side of the
417:. Strong safeties are not seen in the Canadian game; however, the strong side linebacker in Canadian football is assigned similar duties to the American football strong safety. As such, Canadian football strong side linebackers are often players who played strong safety in college or the NFL.
293:, the free safety is "free" to double cover another player. On pass plays, the free safety is expected to assist the cornerback on his side and to close the distance to the receiver by the time the ball reaches him. If the offense puts a receiver in the
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field during a pass play, with the intention to lure the free safety away from that side of the field. This phenomenon often tests how effective a free safety's savvy and athleticism are at defending long pass plays.
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usually involve pass coverage towards the middle and sidelines of the field. While
American (11-player) formations generally use two safeties, Canadian (12-player) formations generally have one safety and two
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The free safety tends to watch the play unfold and follow the ball as well as be the "defensive quarterback" of the backfield. The free safety is typically assigned to the quarterback in
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Safeties are the last line of defense; they are expected to be reliable tacklers, and many safeties rank among the hardest hitters in football. Safety positions can also be converted
297:, then the free safety may be called upon to cover that receiver. Because of their speed and deep coverage, free safeties are especially likely to make interceptions.
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The strong safety tends to play closer to the line than the free safety does, and assists in stopping the run. He may also cover a player, such as a
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as well. When this happens, the pressure on the quarterback can be severe since a blitz by a defensive back is not usually anticipated.
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have become more focused on the passing game, safeties have become more involved in covering the
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and those of the other defensive backs, in that he both covers the pass and stops the run.
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The strong safety tends to be larger and stronger than the free safety. However, the word
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Current examples of strong safeties active in the NFL include
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Current examples of free safeties active in the NFL include
255:(specifically the free safety; the strong safety would be a
436:"NFL safety today must fly like wideout, sting like LB"
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27:American and Canadian football defensive position
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173:who line up ten to fifteen yards from the
127:Learn how and when to remove this message
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76:"Safety" gridiron football position
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18:Safety (American football position)
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32:Safety (gridiron football score)
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467:Football 101: The Free Safety
442:. Union-Tribune Publishing Co
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933:American football positions
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224:) or as a cornerback ages (
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61:improve this article
276:Washington Redskins
200:defensive halfbacks
169:. The safeties are
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604:Kickoff specialist
440:SignOnSanDiego.com
329:Minkah Fitzpatrick
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896:Box lacrosse
855:Field hockey
779:Nomenclature
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637:Long snapper
619:Game manager
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444:. Retrieved
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415:Derwin James
399:Jordan Poyer
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368:running back
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278:free safety
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117:October 2021
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59:Please help
54:verification
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938:Goalkeeping
889:Goaltenders
838:Goalkeepers
831:goaltenders
827:Goalkeepers
615:Dual-threat
611:Quarterback
596:Placekicker
586:Edge rusher
574:Nose tackle
446:October 10,
407:Budda Baker
395:Jamal Adams
388:3-4 defense
337:Kevin Byard
280:Sean Taylor
267:Free safety
222:Byron Jones
218:cornerbacks
179:free safety
145:3–4 defense
927:Categories
912:Ice hockey
880:Water polo
768:Formations
725:Receivers
703:Returning
695:Nickelback
683:Cornerback
629:Linebacker
421:References
380:linebacker
341:Micah Hyde
261:goaltender
195:cornerback
185:) and the
87:newspapers
908:(archaic)
860:Floorball
749:Tackling
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504:Positions
361:tight end
159:safetyman
870:Handball
783:Strategy
741:Slotback
733:Eligible
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372:fullback
253:fullback
875:Hurling
761:Utility
591:Kicking
569:Linemen
551:Linemen
537:Defense
525:Offense
167:defense
165:on the
101:scholar
757:Upback
753:Gunner
715:Jammer
687:Safety
669:H-back
641:Holder
623:System
600:Punter
578:Tackle
564:Center
556:Tackle
376:H-back
357:strong
343:, and
291:pocket
151:Safety
103:
96:
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850:Bandy
719:Upman
678:Backs
560:Guard
382:in a
310:blitz
108:JSTOR
94:books
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510:and
448:2007
413:and
295:slot
228:and
80:news
745:End
735:),
663:),
582:End
506:in
386:or
374:or
370:or
244:).
226:Rod
63:by
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