1. 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.

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

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

8. Coverage Technique DrillDB 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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 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

13. 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 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

14. 45-degree Zone Break Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

15. Double Hash Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

16. Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

17. Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

18. Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

19. Drill
Objective
Equipment
Key Points
Procedure
Note

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