The team which begins a play not in possession of the ball. The goal of the defensive team is to prevent forward progress by the offensive team, to prevent them from scoring, and/or to wrest possession of the ball from them during the course of a play and advance it toward their own goal. |
In American football, the team which begins a play not in possession of the ball. The goal of the defensive team is to prevent forward progress by the offensive team, to prevent them from scoring, and/or to wrest possession of the ball from them during the course of a play and advance it toward their own goal. |