Defensive Backs – Mind of the “D” Five “Musts” of the Defensive Backs

Must Defend the Big Play

Must Be Great Tacklers

Must Communicate & Play in the Concept of the Defense

Must be Focused to Play Every Single Play

Must be Accountable & Productive

Splitter Defensive Back Technique

Stance & Start

Feet Shoulder width apart. Outside foot slightly

forward – Heel/Toe Relationship. Weight on the

ball of the foot.

Eyes Identify receiving threats Pre-Snap.

Zone Coverages – Eyes on QB on the snap.

Man Coverages – Eyes on Belt Buckle of WR.

Body

Position

Great knee bend. Flat backed, shoulders over

toes.

First

Step

Each play begins with at least a 3 step backpedal

while the DB reads keys for run/pass. The DB

should be able to react to the play in those three

steps.

Block Protection

Technique When… Description

Squeeze

Technique

…the ball is directly behind the blocker.

(OL/RB Lead Sweep)

Strike with I/S Shoulder

Keep O/S arm free

Deliver from good football

position – Helmet under helmet

Step with same foot as strike arm

Keep feet moving

Don’t get turned – Stay square

Don’t run up the field – Attack

on the same angle as the block

Hand

Shiver

…the ball is not directly behind the blocker.

…the blocker attempts to block low.

Shoulder square to blocker

Keep O/S leg free

Straight arm – drive helmet &

shoulder pads to the ground

Give ground if needed

Keep feet moving

Rip

Technique

…the defender is pursuing to the ball.

…the defender is at a physical disadvantage.

Lower I/S shoulder

Rip I/S arm across face of

blocker – Stay low!

Keep feet moving

Run Support Definitions

Primary Support – Contain the Ball

Must keep the ball in front and inside – Turn the ball back to the defense

Meet & Defeat the Blocker – Attack the angle of the blocker & keep O/S arm free

Maintain edge – Do not trade one for one with a lead blocker

Tackle any ball carrier that attempts to dip & run wide

Squeeze the running lane – force the cutback

Don’t be content to contain – Tackle the ball from the outside in

Secondary Support – Play pass first, run second

Must stay deep as the deepest until the ball crosses the line of scrimmage

Attack outside in – stack 5 x 2 on the primary support player

Understand “Crack & Replace” – Become Primary on Crack block

o Must see it!

o Don’t be fooled by Crack & Go.

Alley Runner – Inside out to the ball, pass first

Fill run alley inside primary support player

Must stay deep as the deepest in pass responsibility until ball crosses LOS

Job Saver – Get on your horse and make them line up again

Rotate through next deep zone on run action away

Take the appropriate run support angle

Do not allow the ball to cut back on you

Fold Technique – Defend cutback & reverse

Backpedal to 5-7 yards on run away

Check backside gap/reverse/boot before getting in pursuit lane

Do not allow cutback runners

Types of Tackles Technique When… Description

Open Field

…the defender is alone in the open field with a ball carrier

Know where your help is – Turn the ball back to the defense.

Get the ball on the ground “by any means necessary”

Break down & keep a wide base

If overpowered, hang on & wait for help

Sideline …the ball is pinned against the sideline Maintain inside leverage

Do not allow cutback run

Know where the sideline is – No penalties for hitting out of bounds

Second Man

…the ball is already wrapped up or slowed down by another defender

Attack the ball when the ball carrier is already secured

Violently strip & recover

Gang tackling is intimidating – hustle to get in on every play

Zone Coverage Principles o Know which receivers can affect your zone pre-snap. o Know where your help is! o Ball – Man – Ball: Key back to QB to know when ball is in the air. o Be aware of drastic changes in WR’s split – Inside or Outside. o Get to your midpoint in the zone as soon as possible. o Keep your head on a swivel for routes entering and exiting your zone. o Matchup and cover any single route in your zone. o Keep proper leverage on top of all routes when you are deep responsible. o Identify the difference between WR running at full speed & one who is coming under control to

make a cut. o Never undercut a receiver unless you can get two hands on the ball.

Man Coverage Principles o Total concentration must be on your man. o Know where your help is! o Use correct leverage (Inside/Outside) & Depth (Front Pocket/Back Pocket). o Be aware of drastic changes in WR’s split – Inside or Outside. o Keep your eyes on the receiver’s waist. o Identify the difference between WR running at full speed & one who is coming under control to

make a cut. o Never undercut a receiver unless you can get two hands on the ball. o Don’t face guard – Look when he looks & Reach when he reaches. o If you are beat – Catch up first! o Take pride in your ability to cover one on one.

Route Types – Quick/Intermediate/Deep DB’s must understand that all routes generally fall into three categories:

Shallow Routes Intermediate Routes Deep Routes Understanding the route type will help to play each route as the ball is thrown.

Interception Point – The point where the ball will arrive is known as the interception point. The DB must play each route at that point (5-7 yards in front of the WR), and NOT at the point where the receiver is. Depth, speed of WR, and direction of route will affect where the interception point is.

Ball Arrival – To intercept, the DB must attack the ball when it arrives, not the WR. Interference occurs when

the DB attacks the WR. If the WR is first to the ball – attack the back arm of the WR to take away the catch.

Defensive backs must always break to the Ball Arrival point when the ball is thrown. Make sure to break to where the ball is going to be!

Break Point

6 yds.

Break Point

12 yds.

Break Point

12 yds.

Cornerback Techniques

“Bail” Technique Used to disguise in some 3 deep and 4 deep coverages in which the Corner is deep responsible. The Bail technique gives the appearance of man-to-man coverage. The Corner should align in press coverage, creeping out before the snap. Depending on the speed of the DB, the creep can occur late in the cadence, or on the snap. The DB should make sure to turn and run to get to his midpoint.

“Bang” Technique We will “Bang” outside receivers in some 2 deep or rotational 3 deep coverages in which the Corner is flat responsible. The Corner must creep to press the WR, and be as physical as possible with the WR. He must not allow an outside release.

“Sink” Technique Used in Cloud/Rain coverages when the Corner is flat/wheel responsible. The DB will align 5 x 1 outside the widest receiver. On any vertical release, the DB will chest up and funnel the receiver inside. He can then sink under any depth route to help the half field safety to his side. The DB should only break up on the ball thrown to the flat. If the WR disappears inside, he should sit and squeeze the field to any route attacking the flat.