Dimeback

American football term for a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back

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The dime defense (4 cornerbacks), lined up against 4 wide receivers on offense. A conventional dime formation would have 4 linemen and only one linebacker.

In American football, a dimeback is a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back (fourth cornerback, third safety; and in some rare cases, a fourth safety) on defense.[1] The third cornerback or safety on defense is known as a nickelback. The dimeback position is essentially relegated to backup cornerbacks and safeties who do not play starting cornerback or safety positions. Dimebacks are usually fast players because they must be able to keep up on passing plays with 3+ wide receivers.

Dimebacks are brought into the game when the defense uses a dime formation, which uses six defensive backs rather than four or five. Usually, a dimeback replaces a linebacker in order to gain better pass defense, although some teams may substitute the extra defensive back for a defensive lineman in their dime formation.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Biggs, Brad (24 May 2016). "Difference between nickel and dime positions on defense?". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-18.

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American football positions

Offense|

Lineman

* Tackle (T)
* Guard (G)
* Center (C)

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Quarterback

* Dual-threat
* Game manager
* System

Skill positions

Back

* Running back (RB)
* Halfback/Tailback (HB/TB)
* Fullback (FB)
* H-back
* Wingback (WB)
* Triple-threat
* Change of pace

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Receiver

* Wide receiver (WR)
* Eligible receiver
* Tight end (TE)
* Slotback
* End (E)

Defense|

Lineman

* Defensive tackle (DT)
* Nose tackle (NT)
* Defensive end (DE)
* Edge rusher (EDGE)

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Backer

* Linebacker (LB)

Defensive back

* Cornerback (CB)
* Safety (S)
* Nickelback
* Dimeback

Special teams|

Kicking

* Placekicker (K)
* Punter (P)
* Kickoff specialist

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Snapping

* Long snapper (LS)
* Holder

Returning

* Punt returner (PR)
* Kick returner (KR)
* Jammer
* Upman

Tackling

* Gunner
* Upback
* Utility

Formations (List) — Nomenclature — Strategy

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