Defensive Back Basics

Troy Gunderson Defensive Backs Coach Thunderhawks Football

Defensive Back Philosophy

A Grand Rapids Thunderhawk defensive secondary will operate on the principles of speed and aggression, using superb technique and tackling fundamentals, while playing with a mindset to create turnovers. In defensive football, there is no substitute for a close knit, smart, aggressive secondary that understands its mission. Our mission is as follows: We will be an excellent run support unit, as well as a excellent pass defense unit. We will create turnovers by being alert and offensive-minded, intercepting the ball, knocking the ball loose and recovering fumbles.

We will play both zone and man coverage equally well.

We will read our pre-snap keys and determine, by the movement and actions of our opponent, what to do and where to go based upon the alignment, defense called, and coverage used. Essential Skills for Thunderhawk Defensive Backs ~ Proper Stance ~ Tackling ~ Coverages ~ Footwork ~ Ball Defense

Proper Stance
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Inside foot back; both feet are perpendicular to the LOS. Feet are slightly less than shoulder width apart. 75% of weight on the front foot. Ankles, knees, and hips are flexed; Z in the knees. Back flat, eyes up, nose over your toes. Arms are flexed at a 90 degree bend.

Footwork: The Backpedal

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Keep your feet underneath you at all times. Short, quick steps. Feet should remain less than shoulder width apart. Arms remain bent at 90 degrees. Pump arms ~ Do not throw arms back. Body should remain relaxed. Eyes up; head should remain motion less. Weave with the receivers release, keeping your shoulders square to the LOS.

Form Backpedal

Backpedal Drills

M Drill

From a good stance, push off the front foot and backpedal 10 yards. Keep nose over toes, body low, feet close to the ground, and pump arms.
Weave Drill

Form backpedal 5 yards and break at a 45 degree angle to the first cone. Repeat to all 5 cones. Stay low, pump arms, nose over toes.

Backpedal and Break

Form backpedal at an angle, keeping shoulders parallel to LOS, turning only hips at the cone. Stay low, pump arms, nose over toes.

Facing the coach, form backpedal. When the coach raises the ball and turns his shoulders, break forward at a 45 degree angle in that direction. Make a play on the ball if thrown.

Tackling
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Come to balance (widen your base, sink your hips, bend your knees) Holster hands (arms cocked at the hips, club up and through the ball carrier) Shimmey feet (close the distance to the ball carrier, shimmey feet = short quick steps) Club and wrap-up (eyes up, lead with chin and chest, upper cut arms, wrap up & grab cloth) Run your feet and close your hips (move the ball carrier north and south, attack the hips)

Angle Tackle
DB

Tackling Drills
DB should get helmet across RBs body to outside shoulder. Drive back upfield.
DB

Inside-Out Tackle

Simulates the DB making a tackle from an inside position to the outside. Keep shoulders square to LOS. Key: Get helmet across RBs body to outside shoulder.

RB
Shed Tackle RB

RB Outside-In Tackle DB

DB sheds block by ripping inside arm through the blocker. RB doesnt start until DB sheds block. Aim for outside shoulder.

BL

Simulates a DB making a tackle from an outside position. Key: Get helmet to outside shoulder of RB to force him inside; play force and contain RB.

DB

RB

Ball Defense
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be in good position vs. WR: Inside hip and trail. As little space separating the DB and WR as possible. Once the ball is in the air, play the ball and not the man. Attack the football at its highest point. Win the jump ball! After an interception yell oskie to alert teammates.

Stretch and Break

Pass Defense Drills

Develops response to having 2 WR in same zone. DB backpedals and breaks on ball depending which way QB turns shoulder.

Post and Break

DB

DB

Teaches closing the cushion on the post route. DB stays in backpedal until WR breaks or the ball is thrown. Close on WR. Dont anticipate the throw.
WR C Turn & Chase

WR

WR

Backpedal, Shuffle, Break

Turn both feet at a 45 degree angle to the inside and go into a shuffle. The shuffle gets knees turned in order to run with WR. Break on the ball once in the air.
DB
C WR

DB & WR line up next to each other, facing opposite directions. On command DB turns quickly and chases WR, staying on inside hip. Make play on ball using inside hand, keeping outside hand near or on WR in order to make a tackle.

DB

Zone Coverages

Cover 3
Deep 1/3 Deep 1/3 Hook-Curl

FS C
Hook-Curl

Deep 1/3

C
Flats

Flats

Q E

W T

M T E

SS

Cover 2

Deep 1/2
Deep Middle

Deep 1/2

FS
Flats-Outs

SS
Flats-Outs Hook-Curl

Hook-Curl

Q E T

W T E

Cover 1 FS C Q E X (1) Z (2) HB (3) T G W T C QB M T G T E TE (1) SS C

In cover 1 (and man-to-man) divide the field in half and number the receivers from the sideline to the center. Corners= #1 Q/SS= #2 W/M= #3 (depending which is blitzing) FS= is free and plays zone/deep middle

FB (2)

FS C Q E Z (1) H (2) T G W T C QB M T G T E TE (2) SS C

Cover 1

X (1)

In cover 1 (and man-to-man) divide the field in half and number the receivers from the sideline to the center. Corners= #1 Q/SS= #2 W/M= #3 (depending which is blitzing) FS= is free and plays zone/deep middle

HB (3)

Press and Off Coverage Technique

Running Backs Drill Sheet

Have it at practice with you Great when you need to fill a bit of time Keeps you from having wasted time during Indy periods Helps with development of practice plan

Footwork: Dive

Playside Step Run through

Footwork: Open (Off Tackle)

Playside step at an angle Run through off tackle

Footwork: Crossover (Outside)

Playside crossover step Run flat Cut upfield

Footwork: Counter/Trap

Backside crossover step Plant step Angle back playside to hole

Drills: Technique
Jump & Accelerate Read & Cut Jump & Cut Off Tackle & Up Handoff, Hit & Spin Cut the Weak Arm Stiff Arm Sprint, Plant & Cut Star Step & Plant Sideline Extra Yard Lead Read Skip Cut to Outside Short Yardage

Technique: Jump & Accelerate

Step over Twist hips to crossover laterally Emphasize control & staying low Run through

Technique: Read & Cut

Run straight at bag Bag left, cut right Run through Run straight at bag Bag right, cut left Run through

Technique: Jump & Cut

Run straight at bag Emphasize hard cuts & good hip movement Run through

Technique: Technique: Off Tackle & Up

Run off tackle & cut upfield Bag left, cut right Run through Playside Step Run through Run off tackle & cut upfield Bag right, cut left Run through

Technique: Handoff, Hit & Spin

Run straight at bag Take handoff

Drop shoulder into bag (right shoulder if spinning back right, etc)
Run through

Technique: Cut the Weak Arm

Angle towards sideline
Plant & cut hard inside, changing ball to other hand Swat the defenders inside (weak arm) Cut back upfield & run through

Technique: Technique: Stiff Arm

Run straight at bag Bag left, cut right & jam defenders shoulder with stiff Playside Step arm Run through Run through Run straight at bag Bag right, cut left & jam defenders shoulder with stiff arm Run through

Technique: Sprint, Plant & Cut

Run hard at cone Plant & trade ball to outside hand Repeat at each cone Run through

Technique: Star Drill

Player places left hand in centre of bags Ball in right hand Run through bags counter-clockwise Repeat other direction

Technique: Step & Plant

Hip movement while running through bags Emphasize control & staying low through bags Start slow & progress faster Run through