Editing Cornerback (section)

{{short description|Position in gridiron football}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
[[File:Cornerback 2.svg|thumb|alt=An example of an offensive and a defensive alignment. The offense has two wide receivers one on each side of the formation. The defense has two cornerbacks, each opposite one of the wide receivers.|Cornerbacks across from their assigned receivers in a base 3–4 defense]]

A '''cornerback''' ('''CB''') is a member of the [[defensive back]]field or secondary in [[gridiron football]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Football |url=http://www.hornetfootball.org/documents/football-history.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021210060245/http://www.hornetfootball.org/documents/football-history.htm |archive-date=2002-12-10 |website=Hornet Football}}</ref> Cornerbacks cover [[Wide receiver|receivers]] most of the time, but also blitz and defend against such [[Play from scrimmage|offensive]] running plays as sweeps and reverses. They create [[Turnover (gridiron football)|turnovers]] through hard [[tackle (football move)|tackles]], [[interception]]s, and  [[pass deflection|deflecting]] forward passes.

Other members of the defensive backfield include strong and free [[Safety (gridiron football position)|safeties]].

The cornerback position requires speed, agility, strength, and the ability to make rapid sharp turns. A cornerback's skill set typically requires proficiency in anticipating the [[quarterback]], backpedaling, executing single and zone coverage, disrupting pass routes, block shedding, and tackling. Cornerbacks are among the [[40-yard dash#Average time by position|fastest players on the field]].  Because of this, they are frequently used as [[return specialist]]s on punts or kickoffs.