What are the nickel and dime defenses?
If the offense is in a situation where it is more advantageous to pass the ball than to run the ball, the defense will often bring in a faster player, usually a defensive back, who is more adept at covering wide receivers. This extra player is known as a nickel back and the formation is called a nickel defense. If the defense chooses to use two extra defensive backs, the second player is referred to as the dime back and the formation is known as a dime defense.
