Spy (gridiron football)

Defensive player assignment in American football

In American football, a spy is a defensive player assigned to cover the opposing team's quarterback man-to-man.

This strategy is generally used against "dual-threat" quarterbacks who are capable of rushing when passing plays break down. The defensive player floats near the line of scrimmage, following the quarterback's movements.[1]

Spies are also sometimes known as "keys".[2] Generally, spies are linebackers.[3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Spying the Quarterback". Sporting Charts. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
2. ^ "Football Outsiders Glossary: General Football Terms". Football Outsiders. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
3. ^ Theismann, Joe (2003). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Football. Penguin. p. 179\. ISBN 0786548363.

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Gridiron football maneuvers

* Huddle
* Stance (three-point)

Offense|

* Snap
* Hand-off
* Blocking
* Pulling
* Spiral
* Routes
* Pump fake
* Cutback
* Juke
* Forward pass
* Lateral pass
* Stiff arm
* Scramble
* Shift
* Motion

Defense|

* Tackle
* Rush
* Stunt
* Blitz
* Shooting the gap
* Bump and run
* Double coverage
* Spy

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American football strategy

Systems|

* One-platoon
* Two-platoon
* Play calling

Offensive strategy|

| Scheme|

* A-11
* Air Coryell
* Air raid
* Buck-lateral
* Hurry-up
* Multiple
* Option
* Run-pass option
* Triple option
* Pro-style
* Run and shoot
* Smashmouth
* Spread
* West Coast

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Routes|

* Chair
* Corner
* Crossing
* Curl
* Drag
* Flat
* Fly
* Hot
* Jerk
* Out
* Post
* Screen
* Seam
* Slant
* Sluggo
* Stop-and-go
* Swing
* Wheel

Trick plays|

* Play-action pass
* Draw
* Double pass
* End-around
* Reverse
* Spinner
* Fake field goal
* Fake punt
* Fake spike
* Fake procedure
* Flea flicker
* Fumblerooski
* Hidden ball
* Hook and lateral
* Statue of Liberty
* Halfback option
* Hard count
* Pyramid
* Swinging gate
* Tackle-eligible

Other|

* Clock management
* Hail Mary pass

Defensive strategy|

| Scheme|

* Man-to-man
* Zone
* Tampa 2

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Coverages|

* Bump and run
* Double
* Zone

Other|

* Icing the kicker
* Stunt
* Spy

Offensive formations|

* T
* Split-T
* I
* A
* Single-wing
* Short punt
* Shotgun
* Pro set
* Single set back
* Wishbone
* Flexbone
* Pistol
* Pistol-Flex
* Trips
* Wildcat
* Jump shift
* Minnesota shift
* Notre Dame Box

Defensive formations|

* 2-level
* 4–3
* Miami 4–3
* Seattle Cover 3
* 3–4
* 3–3–5
* 4–4
* 46
* 5–2
* 5–3
* 6–2
* 7–2–2
* 7–1–2–1
* Dime
* Nickel
* Prevent
* 8-in-the-box

Other|

* Complementary football
* Resting the starters

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