Defensive Backs: Base Skills Drills for the defensive backs. Taken from the Jim Ingram Football Bible. This section is for building the base skills the defensive backs will utilize in the defensive backfield.

DB Drills – Summary What How Why Stair Step Backpedal, then lateral step on command (left or right), continue backpedal straight back Change of direction Hard Step Good backpedal form, 3 hard steps Hard Step, Backpedal Good backpedal form, 3 hard steps, then begin regular backpedal at speed Transition Break 45-Right, Break 45-Left Backpedal and on command break at 45-degree angle to left or right Break flat, Right or Left Backpedal and on command break at 90-degree/flat angle to left or right Attack Backpedal and on command break back toward the starting spot Transition from backpedal to forward attack Square Setup 2-yard square. Start to backpedal at a corner, backpedal to other corner, then attack to other corner. Then begin again, making a figure-8 pattern. Transition from backpedal to angle attack, then back into backpedal

Stance Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note Teach the players the proper stance Equipment Key Points Feet shoulder width, outside foot up Knees flexed, arms relaxed and hanging Weight on balls of feet Good bend at waist, shoulders forward Head and eyes up, looking at key Procedure Players assume stance on coach’s command Coach inspects the stance Note Any discussion on the secondary must start with the stance. Without a proper stance, which insures readiness, the athlete is giving his opponent and advantage before the action begins.

Shuffle Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note Good stance Shoulders and weight forward Hips flexed Eyes on key Move smoothly and quickly Procedure Players assume correct stance Shuffle on coaches command Note May coaches insist that the players take shuffle steps at the snap of the ball. These are two or three shuffle steps backward; used to give the athlete time to determine whether the play is a pass or run and make the necessary reactions

Backpedal Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note Teach the proper form and technique for executing the backpedal Equipment Key Points Good stance Push off front foot Shuffle Keep elbows in tight Feet close together Feet should clear just above the grass Take good strides Procedure Player assumes correct stance Shuffle on command Backpedal 20 yards Note The backpedal the technique essential for successful secondary play. With a good backpedal an individual of average speed will be able to play in the secondary. The longer an athlete can maintain his backpedal the more effective he will be in defense situations

Plant and Read Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note Good stance Read key Shuffle Backpedal Plant and turn Procedure Player assumes good stance Begin shuffle on command Players plant and break with coaches signals Players accelerate 10 yards after plant Note It is imperative that a defensive back be able to change directions quickly and effectively. He must be able to runt right/left and go forward/backward as the situation presents itself. It is necessary to work on planting the feet and driving hard in the proper direction.

Defensive Backs: Coverage Techniques The next step in the training progression is to add receivers to the drills.

Coverage Technique Drill DB R DB R DB R DB Objective Teach DB’s proper technique to play receiver Equipment Footballs Key Points Procedure Athlete assumes good stance Shuffle Backpedal Read pattern Plant inside foot Drop outside shoulder Maintain cushion Defender needs 3-4 yards between himself and the receiver at all times. Drive to football Note Use the following patterns: Post Corner Out Out and up (wheel)

Turn and Go Drill R DB R DB Objective Equipment Key Points The turn and go technique is used when a defender is forced out of his backpedal by losing his cushion and must run with the receiver Equipment Footballs Key Points Stance Shuffle Backpedal Read pattern If loses cushion (receiver gets within 3 yards) turn and run stride for stride with receiver Look for football over inside shoulder Defender should receive verbal clue from teammates when ball is thrown

Oncoming Ball Drill C R DB Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Instruct players in proper technique for catching a football thrown directly at them Equipment QB/thrower Footballs Key Points Run toward QB keeping eyes on football Cup hands in front of ball Use soft hands, absorb impact Intercept ball at highest point Clutch ball with hands and tuck under arm Procedure Players line up 20 yards from QB On command players run towards QB Players break in direction given Intercept ball and return up-field Note

Post Corner Drill DB Objective Develop the technique for making a complete change of direction while in coverage technique Equipment QB/thrower Footballs Key Points Assume good stance Shuffle to backpedal on command Break to post (inside) on ball movement Break to corner(outside) on ball movement Drive to football Procedure Shuffle to backpedal Break to post Plant inside foot and break back in opposite direction keeping shoulders forward (to post) Note

Zone The Middle Drill DB R R QB Objective Equipment Key Points Teach the DB that he can stay in the middle of two receivers Equipment QB/Thrower Footballs Lined field Key Points Assume good stance Shuffle to backpedal on command Defender gets depth in zone Defender gets in position to defend both receivers (split the difference) Defender reads the intention of the QB The QB must use drop-back action Break to ball DB must watch the QB and the release of the ball, then he can cover equal distance to each hash mark by the time the ball gets there Procedure Defender is aligned 8 yards up field from QB in the middle of the hash marks Receivers are 1 yard outside the hash marks. QB is aligned in the middle of the hash marks On command receivers run downfield at ¾ speed Defender will backpedal and gain depth while reading the intentions of the QB After the defender has backpedaled to 10-15 yards the QB should deliver the ball to either receiver Defender drives to the football Receivers allow the defenders to catch the ball Note Make sure the ball is thrown to different spots to ensure the DB keeps his eyes on the ball and not the receiver. Depth in relation to the receivers is very important

Zone The Outside Drill DB R R QB Objective Equipment Key Points Instruct the defender on how to cover 2 receivers Equipment QB/Thrower Footballs Lined field Key Points Assume good stance Shuffle to backpedal on command Defender gets depth in zone Defender gets in position to defend both receivers (split the difference) Defender reads the intention of the QB The QB must use drop-back action Break to ball Procedure Defender is aligned 8 yards up field from QB in the middle of the hash marks Receivers are 1 yard inside the sideline and 1 yard outside the hash marks. QB is aligned in the middle of the hash marks On command receivers run downfield at ¾ speed Defender will backpedal along the near hash and gain depth while reading the intentions of the QB After the defender has backpedaled to 10-15 yards the QB should deliver the ball to either receiver Defender drives to the football Receivers allow the defenders to catch the ball Note Make sure the ball is thrown to different spots to ensure the DB keeps his eyes on the ball and not the receiver. Depth in relation to the receivers is very important

45-degree Zone Break Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Double Hash Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Drill Objective Equipment Key Points Procedure Note

Thus spake the master Coach: It is time for you to leave.