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Developing Key Reads for Your Defensive Backs

by: Gerard Wilcher
Defensive Backs Coach Lehigh University
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As the secondary coach at Lehigh University, I usually get 20-25 minutes of individual time on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in season. My goal each week is to optimize my time. In doing so, I spend about ten minutes a day on footwork and ball drills. I then spend another five minutes per day on some aspect of tackling or block escape. I then split the group for the last 5-10 minutes. Both groups will work on the finer points of the same coverage for the remainder of the time. For example, if I am working cover 2, the corners will work on re-routing and funneling wide receivers while the safeties work on reading the QB and breaking off the hash to play the ball.


One aspect that we can never get enough work on is our key reads for the running game. In today’s game, the corners and the safeties must be clued into the run game. I use the same key progression today that I used when I coached outside linebackers in the 4-4. We read man-on to near back to the backside guard. Our main focus is with the man-on to near back key. We discuss the backside key but do not get into great detail because as secondary players we very rarely get to that point of the progression.




Working with the corners first, we will start with diagram 1. Our base alignment is 7 yards off of a nub tight end. The corner will align opposite the OLB. There are three basic reads for the corner: (1) Fan Block – CB fits inside the block; (2) Down block – CB will fit off the butt of the OLB who should close down; and (3) TE release – CB should work to pass responsibility. In diagram 2, we have made a heavy call, which tightens down the alignment of the OLB. The corner will align opposite and will make the same reads but he expects the ball to bounce one hole wider on the run to him. In either case, with run away, the CB will become a cutback/bootleg/reverse player.


In the Lehigh system, our safeties must be able to make key reads from a couple of different alignments. They must be able to make the same reads as the CB’s in diagrams 1 and 2 as well as make the reads from more traditional safety alignments. In diagram 3, the safety is aligned in a cover 3 look. He is 4 x 4 off the end man on the line of scrimmage and will read the end man to the near back. If the end man down blocks with his back at him, he will treat this as a run and will have support from the outside in keeping his outside arm and leg free. If the safety gets a pass read, then his eyes will go to his nearest vertical threat and he will execute his pass responsibility.


Diagram 4 shows how key reads work from a quarters alignment. Versus a pro set, the safety will align 10 yards deep, one-two yards outside the EMOL. Versus a twins set, he will deepen 12 yards and align two yards inside the first removed receiver. He will read the end man to the near back. If the end man down blocks with his back at him, he will treat this also as a run and he will again have support from the outside in keeping his outside arm and leg free. If the safety gets a pass read, then his eyes will go to his nearest vertical threat and he will execute his pass responsibility.


As football coaches, it is our responsibility to develop our student athletes. I learned early in my career that if something is not right you are either teaching it or allowing it. In the secondary, we ask our players to make critical split-second decisions. In order to make the correct decision, they must be trained to do so. The training all starts with the eyes. We have to train their eyes so that they can decipher in a split second what is reality and what is fantasy.






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