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Offensive personnel is commonly named by the number of running backs and tight ends. Eleven personnel means one back and one tight end, leaving three wide receivers. Defenses answer with groupings such as nickel, which adds a fifth defensive back.

See it in context

  1. Eleven personnel can spread the field while preserving a tight end for blocking or route flexibility.
  2. A defense may use heavier base personnel against multiple tight ends, then substitute nickel against three receivers.