Man-to-man defense is when a denfensive back covers a specific offensive player to prevent that player from scoring. In zone defense, the defensive player covers a zone rather than a specific player.
Man-to-man defense involves defensive backs or sometimes a linebacker covering, or defending, a specific offensive player. In man-to-man defense, a defender’s objective is to prevent their offensive man from getting closer to scoring.
For zone defense, the defensive backs and linebackers defend designated areas rather than specific players. Generally, defensive backs playing zone defense line up 12–15 yards off the line of scrimmage. The type of zone defense chosen has to do with how the defenders believe they can best intercept what they predict will be the offense’s strategy.
