con*tain
What Is The Definition Of Contain In Football?
In American football, contain is a term used to describe defensive coverage and the ability of a defensive player to prevent offensive players from achieving leverage on the outside of the field.
What Is the Point Of Contain?
Rarely is a play designed or run without a defensive coach thinking about, or yelling about, contain. The concept is almost an ethos of a defensive unit. Because the bulk of defensive players are bunched along the line of scrimmage, and in between tackles, fewer players are on the outside. Maintaining contain allows defensive units to keep opposing rushers inside rather than escaping outside, where they can run free or shake off tackles.
Defensive coaches focus on contain through a focus on maintaining leverage and lane integrity to maximize opportunities to tackle and stop offensive attacks.
If an offensive unit can break through a defense’s contain by getting to the outside, they have been successful at breaking contain.
Examples Of How Contain Is Used In Commentary
1. Aaron Jones shook off would-be tacklers, getting outside the lines and breaking contain in that 24-yard rush.
Sport The Term Is Used
1. Football