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, who take positions directly behind the line of scrimmage.

The defensive backs, in turn, generally are classified into several different specialized positions:

• Safety
• Cornerback, which include
• nickel back, the fifth defensive back in some sets
• dime back, the sixth defensive back in some sets
• The seventh defensive back, in the exceedingly rare 'dollar' set
• known as a dollar back or a quarter back (not to be confused with the offensive player who throws the ball)

The group of defensive backs is known collectively as the secondary.

See also

• American football positions