Defensive end

Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American football.

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This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years.

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Early formations, with six and seven man lines, used the end as a containment player, whose job was first to prevent an "end run" around his position, then secondarily to force plays inside.

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When most teams adopted a five man line, two different styles of end play developed: "crashing" ends, who rushed into the backfield to disrupt plays, and "stand-up" or "waiting" ends, who played the more traditional containment style. Some coaches would use both techniques depending on game situations.

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