Pressure Defenses, Part II: Having the proper angle for each player is crucial in pursuing a ball carrier in space.

Last month’s issue included our defensive alignment and strategy as well as our different fronts and coverages. This month, we feature three different defensive pursuit drills.

A crucial period of practice for us is our pursuit drill time. The focus is on getting aligned, proper communication, correct angles, and great effort. This drill sets the tempo for the rest of practice. Going hard every time and sprinting to the football is a point of pride for all of our players.

We have three pursuit drills:

•  “Oskie” Pursuit Drill: Oskie, a common term for an interception, alerts the defense that we have one. The defensive line and fourth rusher do an “up-down” – dropping from a standing position to a prone position and then getting back up as quickly as possible – and rush the QB in their proper lanes. If a stunt is called, the players involved execute the stunt and rush the passer. The front called, four-man, five-man, or six-man pass rushers, then run through the end zone.

The remaining players execute their pass drops and intercept the pass thrown by a coach. The players rally to the ball and finish the drill by leading the ball carrier as they sprint through the corner of the end zone. We have three to four groups going rapid fire in this drill (Diagram 1).

Diagram 1: “Oskie” Pursuit Drill

•  Rabbit Pursuit: This is for pursuing a receiver who catches a pass in the slot or flat. The defense executes the front/stunt called and takes proper pursuit angles to cut off the “Rabbit.” Depending on the focus of the drill, the defensive players can do an up-down or execute a stunt. The coach will then throw the ball to a player lined up in the slot/wide out position and have that player “bubble back”  before working out of the backfield and up the sideline.

The defensive players will need to try to cross the face of the “Rabbit” to make sure they are taking the proper angle to the ball carrier (Diagram 2). If a defensive player is following a fellow player, he needs to adjust his angle so that the two defenders are not in the same line to the ball carrier. We will add throwing push backs at the feet of the defense to simulate cut blocks. Once all 11 cross the path of the “rabbit,” they sprint back down the sideline to the get ready for their turn. We run three to four groups with this drill.

Diagram 2: Rabbit Pursuit

You can make this an up-tempo drill that will help your defense prepare for a no-huddle team by having each group go three to five times in a row before another group rotates in. We use medium size storage tubs to give us an offensive formation/TE location/WR sets.

•  3-Dummy Pursuit:  This drill is designed to help your defense’s reaction to a fumble. Three dummies and a coach with a football are on each side of the field near the sideline and 10 to 20 yards from the LOS. A group of five players line up on the ball. Players execute up-downs, seat rolls, etc. On the coach’s command, they will sprint toward the sideline designated by the coach. A coach or player will roll a ball out simulating a fumble. The first player to arrive recovers the fumble and the next three take out a dummy.

The player who did not get the ball or a bag, sprints back to the start and gets in the next drill. The focus of this drill is to not follow in your teammates footprints but find the angle to the ball carrier. It also incorporates a turnover drill into a competitive and fun drill (Diagram 3).

Diagram 3: 3-Dummy Pursuit

Diagram 4: Left vs.Weak Slant

Diagram 5:  Left vs. Eagle

Diagram 6: Right Slot vs. Eagle

About the Authors: Assisting Lou Varley with the two articles were assistant coaches Chuck Mizerski ((defensive line), Derek Carr (outside linebackers), Brian Maher (inside linebackers) and Jeff Reed (safeties).

More article like this:

Defending the Zone Read – March, 2013

The “No-Name Defense: Mixing personnel, fronts, and coverages along with stunts and blitzes can continually keep an offense off-balance – October/November, 2012

Combating Offensive Speed With the 4-4 Defense – August, 2008