Got a great question about how to determine offensive personnel in football.
We hear 11, 12, and 21 all the time, but often they aren't explained to the layman.
Here's how to do it...
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Appreciate it!
1st number = Backs
2nd number = TEs
Add that & subtract by 5 to get the number of WRs.
Only 5 eligibles.
Thanks, Maggie!
The Saleh system has become one of the best against these offenses.
49ers (Titans): www.matchquarters.com/p/teaching-v...
Falcons: www.matchquarters.com/p/falcons-qu...
Packers (Dolphins): www.matchquarters.com/p/teaching-v...
Texans: www.matchquarters.com/p/houston-te...
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The scheme requires a baseline of performance to hold up, though.
If the pass rush is toothless, as seen with the 49ers, the vision mechanics fracture.
Offenses like the Rams also hunt over-aggressive safeties with "return" routes.
There are always "beaters."
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Robert Saleh’s "Vision Safety" technique takes this a step further.
The Weak Safety "hangs" at 10 yards to read the Slot-to-Quarterback triangle.
By staying anchored, he doesn't give the QB clues on the coverage, muddying the read and forcing the low-efficiency checkdown.
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In the passing game, Quarters creates a "layering effect" that kills modern crossing routes.
Jeff Ulbrich's Falcons use corners as "bumpers" to keep everything inside.
Safeties then cross-key anything in the intermediate zone.
The layering creates indecision.
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Quarters has become the modern solution for the heavy meta.
It allows the defense to max-fit the run by involving both safeties in the primary fit.
The system relies on a "Passive" vs. "Active" safety relationship.
The Active safety triggers on any run action.
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Nickel usage is down 4% to 62% of all snaps, while Base usage has risen to over a quarter of all plays.
Predictably, offenses countered the explosion in Nickel by getting bigger bodies on the field.
The defensive answer isn't single-high.
Split-field coverage is up 6%.
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The NFL is currently defined by a heavy personnel pivot.
Offenses are using 12, 13, and 21 personnel to force defenses into Base packages.
But this isn't the late 90s.
Offenses are now using heavy looks to amplify their passing game through schematic fluidity.
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49ers showing Cover 3, but playing Cover 6 vs. the Cardinals.
Easier to "sling" to the Deep Half in Cover 2, plus, typically, defenses show weak rotation vs. 2x2 "open" looks.
The "tell" for the QB here is the Post Safety leaning hard to the bottom.
He HAS to cap #2.
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49ers with a boundary Hot blitz vs. the Saints.
"Inside" path places two blitzers inside the DE who is running a contain path (COP).
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The NFL's "Light Box" Advantage Has Evaporated.
As we head into Free Agency and the Draft, the evaluation of the Safety position has to change.
It's no longer just about range; it's about functional mass.
Read Now! | www.matchquarters.com/p/return-box...
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49ers running weak rotation Cover 3 (Hook), placing the Safety as the 3-Up defender.
Saints running a switch "Mills" (Double Post).
Weak Safety can be aggressive, but once he realizes it's play-action, he needs to hinge and climb.
Ride the hash, pick up trash! 🚮
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Why the NFL is Pivoting to 'Vision' Safeties
Read Now! | www.matchquarters.com/p/teaching-v...
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49ers illistrating their "Shove" mechanics vs. a motion that creates a x1 set.
The backside Safety and LB both signal to "shove," communicating to everyone to stay on their landmark.
More on this coverage tool below.
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Thank you!
The Enforcer: Trading Linebacker Mass for 'Apex' Versatility
Read Now! | www.matchquarters.com/p/return-box...
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49ers Nickel pressures attacking the open side (opposite TE) of a Saints' formation.
Movement creates the penetration and a tackle for loss (TFL).
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49ers 3-Buzz concept vs. a "Scissors" concept with an "escort" to create a 4-push by the Saints.
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What was a major schematic trend from the 2025 NFL season?
Utilizing Quarters against 12- and 13-personnel condensed formations.
Here's a look at how Jeff Ulbrich's Falcons' defense challenged the Rams.
Watch Now! | www.matchquarters.com/p/falcons-qu...
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The 49ers did an excellent job of marrying their weak rotation Cover 3 scheme with Quarters.
Here is a look at 3-Hook vs. a Divide concept by the Saints.
Watch how the Post Safety doesn't have to leave the hash because he knows he has a "robber" on any intermediate cross & a 2x1 set.
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49ers in Base (4-3) running an Under "Solid" vs. an under-center Split Zone from the Saints.
SF led the NFL in Nickel usage (~79%), but still used their 3rd LB to stabilize the box vs. certain teams & situations.
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Read the full technical study and tape here: www.matchquarters.com/p/return-box...
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The Down Safety is an insurance policy against the play-action pass on early downs.
He allows a coordinator to stay in Nickel without surrendering the box.
I broke down the '25 data & the specific tape on how to utilize this "Apex" defender.
Plus, a look at team building.
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This shift is driving the renaissance of Tampa 2 & Man coverage.
Man usage increased to 31% to clean up heavier box counts & simplify roles.
Coordinators are using split-safety shells to cap explosive plays while moving the Down Safety into "Robber" roles.
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Jaquan Brisker in Chicago is the prototype for the modern "Down" Safety.
In 2025, he was attached to the box on 36% of snaps & on the LOS for 14%.
He was responsible for 44% of all defensive back blitzes for the Bears.
A hybrid "force" player who functions as a third LB.
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Defenses are shifting back to the "Big Nickel" to survive.
Teams need an "Apex" player—an enforcer near the box who can stabilize the front.
The goal is to match up in the passing game without sacrificing efficiency on the ground.
DCs aren't looking for sub-190 Nickels.
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The Light Box defenses hit a wall.
In 2024, MOFO coverage EPA was -.082.
In 2025, that defensive advantage evaporated to .014.
Offenses have solved the standard split-field zones, forcing defenses to find more front-line size and gap integrity.
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Football is cyclical.
2025 saw the NFL return to heavy personnel to punish light, split-safety defenses.
Offenses use 12- & 13-personnel formations to create physical mismatches.
The personnel data from 2025 reveals a league-wide divergence in the evolution of defenses.
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