General
nickel
What does nickel mean?
A defensive package that adds a fifth defensive back to better cover passes, named for the five-cent coin.
"They went to their nickel package on obvious passing downs."
Origin
American football; 'nickel' (five cents) for the fifth defensive back.
Frequently asked questions
What is a nickel defense in football?
It's a defensive package with five defensive backs instead of the usual four, adding coverage to defend against the pass.
Why is it called a nickel defense?
A nickel is worth five cents, and the scheme is named for its fifth defensive back.
What's the difference between nickel and dime defense?
Nickel uses five defensive backs; dime adds a sixth (worth ten cents), giving even more pass coverage on obvious passing downs.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
