What is the difference between a strong safety and a free safety?

Answer 1

Usually the strong safety plays on the strong side (i.e., the side where the TE lines up) and plays closer to the line of scrimmage to support the run defense -- he is almost like another LB on the field. The SS also typically has responsibility for covering the TE (depending upon the type of coverage). The free safety usually plays the deep zone and is less active in run defense. The FS will insure that no receivers get past him -- he is the last line of defense and will usually assist CBs to cover on deep routes. Some teams also like to throw a wrinkle into their defense by using the FS to blitz the opposing QB.

Answer 2

Strong Safety Vs Free Safety

Answer 3

Free Safety Vs Strong Safety

Answer 4

A strong safety generally lines up on the side where the tight end is, and the free safety is on the weak side. The free safety will generally play deeper than the strong safety, who is typically more posed to stop the run and is lined up on the strong side of the formation.

Answer 5

It really depends on the defense, but in most cases the strong safety will be the better tackler and will play closer to the line in run support, he may also be responsible for covering the tight end or a running back coming out of the back field. The free safety will usually play deep, his job in most cases is to make sure no wide receivers get deeper than him. Of course all this can change if the team is in a man, more exotic zone.

Answer 6

A strong safety comes up in run support and the free safety is not to allow any body to behind the defense.

Answer 7

Strong Safety is better at run support, they are like a smaller faster linebacker. Free Safety is mainly used to help the corners on pass coverage. The free stays deeper than the deepest receiver.

Answer 8

strong safety's are more run stoppers and free safetys are cover guys. I am a coach and and my strong safetys are like a last chance linebacker. All the greats where great hitters. Ronnie lott the Best Safety and also Darren woodson

Answer 9

strong safety covers the side of the field where the most people are(strong side) and sometimes a slot receiver or extra receiver. free safety covers the weak side of the field.

to the guysa that answered after me: besides the fact that u said the strong safety covers the RB( that's the linebackers job; i should know i've played strong safety for 5 years and linebacker for 4), you were right.

Answer 10

FS usually is the one that is dropped back into coverage (Ex. Ed Reed). Theyre not usually around the line of scrimmage that much but depending on the defensive scheme, they can be used to blitz. SS are usually everywhere. They can drop into coverage, blitz, cover the slot WR or TE in man to man coverage, or come down in the box to help stop the run (Ex. Troy Polamalu, Adrian Wilson, Bob Sanders). Depending on the defense you run sometimes the safties switch posistions to confuse the offense. If you're good at both, then it helps. Ex. Ed Reed plays FS, but he's so versatile he can play SS too. He is mainly used as a FS though because he's so good at coverage. Another example would be Bob Sanders. He's a SS & is mostly used as the 8th man in the box to help stop the run because he's such a great hitter & tackler. He wouldn't be as good at FS because it doesn't utilize the skills he has, which is tackling & being near the line of scrimmage. A good combination of skills would be Troy Polamalu. He can play both FS & SS because not only is he good at tackling, he's good at coverage too.