Bump and run coverage
Encyclopedia
Bump and run coverage is a strategy often used by defensive back
s in American Football in which a defensive player lines up directly in front of a wide receiver
and tries to impede him with arms, hands, or entire body and disrupt their intended route. This originated in the American Football League
in the 1960s, one of whose earliest expert was Kent McCloughan
of the Oakland Raiders
.
This play works well against routes that require the receiver to be in a certain spot at a certain time. The disadvantage, however, is that the receiver can get behind the cornerback for a big play. This varies from the more traditional defensive formation in which a defensive player will give the receiver a "cushion" of about 5 yards to prevent the receiver from getting behind him. In the NFL, a defensive back is allowed any sort of contact within the 5 yard bump zone except for holding the receiver, otherwise the defensive back can be called for an illegal contact penalty, costing 5 yards and an automatic first down, enforced since 1978, see Penalty (American football)
. In contrast, under NCAA rules, contact is allowed anywhere on the field as long as contact is in front of the defender and a pass is not in the air.
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
s in American Football in which a defensive player lines up directly in front of a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
and tries to impede him with arms, hands, or entire body and disrupt their intended route. This originated in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
in the 1960s, one of whose earliest expert was Kent McCloughan
Kent McCloughan
Kent Auburn McCloughan is a former football defensive back. He played cornerback for the American Football League's Oakland Raiders from 1965 through 1969, and for the National Football League's Raiders in 1970, but his career ended early because of a devastating knee injury...
of the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
This play works well against routes that require the receiver to be in a certain spot at a certain time. The disadvantage, however, is that the receiver can get behind the cornerback for a big play. This varies from the more traditional defensive formation in which a defensive player will give the receiver a "cushion" of about 5 yards to prevent the receiver from getting behind him. In the NFL, a defensive back is allowed any sort of contact within the 5 yard bump zone except for holding the receiver, otherwise the defensive back can be called for an illegal contact penalty, costing 5 yards and an automatic first down, enforced since 1978, see Penalty (American football)
Penalty (American football)
In American football and Canadian football, a penalty is a sanction called against a team for a violation of the rules, called a foul. Officials initially signal penalties by tossing a bright yellow or orange colored "penalty flag" onto the field toward or at the spot of a foul...
. In contrast, under NCAA rules, contact is allowed anywhere on the field as long as contact is in front of the defender and a pass is not in the air.