Indiana: Turnover Drills

by: Curt Mallory
Defensive Secondary Coach, Indiana University
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Much like a lot of football programs, we work hard to force turnovers. At Indiana, there is no exception. We work a turnover circuit at least once a week during the season.

We divide the defense into three groups: Defensive Line, Linebackers, and Defensive Backs. At each circuit, we work a turnover drill that is position specific.

• The drill is set the same for all positions.
• The drill is set with two stand-ups on the same line approximately 15 yards apart.

Diagram 1. DB Drill Breaking


1) DL Screen Drill - The first drill is for the defensive line. This drill is to simulate a screen play. The two D-linemen attack up field at the quarterback. When the quarterback deepens his drop from a 5-step, the defensive line retracts their steps. The near D-lineman attacks the standup dummy while the far lineman intercepts the ball.

Diagram 2. DL Screen Drill


2) LB Dig Drill - The linebacker drill is to simulate defending the dig route. The linebacker drops in between the two stand-ups. The wide receiver runs a dig route behind the two stand-ups while the linebacker works underneath the wide receiver and intercepts the ball.

Diagram 3. LB Dig Drilll


3) DB Break in Front Drill - The defensive backs drill is broken up into two lines. Each defensive back backpedals and then breaks in front of the standup to intercept the ball.

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