Dimeback

The "dime" defense (4 cornerbacks), lined up against 4 wide receivers on offense. A conventional Dime formation would have 4 linemen and only one linebacker.

In American football, a dimeback is a cornerback or safety who serves as the sixth defensive back (fourth cornerback or third safety) on defense. The third cornerback on defense is known as a nickelback. The dimeback position is essentially relegated to backup cornerbacks and safeties who do not play starting cornerback or safety positions. Dimebacks are usually fast players because they must be able to keep up on passing plays with 3+ wide receivers.

Dimebacks are brought into the game when the defense uses a "Dime" formation, which uses six defensive backs rather than four or five. Usually, a dimeback replaces a linebacker in order to gain better pass defense, although some teams may substitute the extra defensive back for a defensive lineman in their dime formation.

Positions in American football and Canadian football
Offense		Defense		Special teams
Linemen	Guard, Tackle, Center	Linemen	Tackle, End, Nose tackle	Kicking players	Placekicker, Punter, Kickoff specialist
Quarterback		Linebackers		Snapping	Long snapper, Holder
Backs	Halfback (Tailback), Fullback, H-back	Backs	Cornerback, Safety, Halfback	Returning	Punt returner, Kick returner
Receivers	Wide receiver, Tight end, Slotback	Backs	Nickelback, Dimeback	Tackling	Gunner, Upback
Formations (List) — Nomenclature

Gridiron football concepts

Codes

Levels of play

Field

Equipment

Positions

Offense	Backfield: Quarterback (Dual-threat, triple-threat, Game manager, system quarterback, platooning) Running backs (Halfback, Fullback, H-back, Slotback) Receivers (Wide receiver, Tight end, End) Linemen (Center, Guard, Tackle)

Defense	Linemen (Defensive tackle, Defensive end, Nose tackle) Linebacker Defensive back (Cornerback, Safety, Nickelback, Dimeback, Halfback)

Special teams	Placekicker Punter Kickoff specialist Long snapper Holder Punt returner Kickoff returner Return specialist Gunner Jammer Upback

Other	Utility player Skill position

Play types

Offense

Rush	Bootleg Checkdown Counter Counter trey Dive End run Kneel Keeper Sneak Off-tackle Option run Power run Sweep Trap run Veer Zone run

Pass	Spiral Routes Incomplete Drop-back Hail Mary Screen Alley Oop Spike

Defense

Special teams

Maneuvers

Offense	Blocking Pump fake Juke Lateral Stiff arm Scramble Shift Motion Zone blocking

Defense	Tackle Shooting the gap Stunt Bump and run Double coverage

Scoring

Penalties

Turnovers

Downs

Play clock

Statistics

Celebrations

Officiating

Miscellaneous

Categories

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Dimeback

Dimeback

Categories

American football

Encyclopedia Article

American football positions

Encyclopedia Article

Canadian football

Encyclopedia Article

Cornerback

Encyclopedia Article

Wide receiver

Encyclopedia Article

Suggestions

American football positions

Encyclopedia Article

Jammer (American football)

Encyclopedia Article

Upback

Encyclopedia Article

Gunner (American football)

Encyclopedia Article

Safety (gridiron football position)

Encyclopedia Article