7–2–2 defense
American football defensive formation / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 7–2–2 defense or seven-box defense, used seven "down linemen", or players on the line of scrimmage at the time of the snap, two linebackers, and two safeties.[1] Amos Alonzo Stagg invented the seven-box defense in 1890 at Springfield College.[2] At that time, most teams were using a nine-man line on defense, and there were only three downs and no forward passes.[3] The 7–2–2 was the base defense used by Knute Rockne at Notre Dame,[4] as well as Mike Donahue at Auburn. Into the late 1930s, the 7–2–2 was still commonly employed inside the defender's thirty-yard line. It was considered "very strong against a running attack, but rather weak defensively against passes."[5] The 7–2–2 was also employed when the opponent was expected to punt.[6]