red zone defense
Scoring area resistance
Red zone defense is the defensive effort when opponents have the ball inside the 20-yard line, close to scoring.
In American football, this area is called the red zone because of the heightened scoring threat.
A strong red zone defense limits opponents to field goals instead of touchdowns: Their red zone defense kept them in the game despite being outgained.
The term sometimes extends to other sports or situations involving defense under pressure near a goal.
- goal lineScoring boundary stripe
- goal line standDefensive stop before scoring
- standUpright support structure
- tackleGear or takedown
- short yardageFew feet needed
fourth down · stuff · blitz · touchdown · linebacker · nose tackle · gap · penetration · back against the wall · turnover · interception · fumble · inch · punch out · pile · push · stance · goalpost