Rat in the hole
The underneath hole defender
The linebacker or safety who drops into the middle underneath zone — the 'rat' hunting crossing routes over the middle. In Tampa 2 it's the MIKE running the deep middle instead.
When it applies
Against mesh, digs, and deep overs attacking the middle of the field.
+ StrengthsTakes away the easiest throws in football (the middle).
− Trade-offsHe's one man — flood one side and he's outnumbered.
Filed under: Jargon buster