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Stalking Down Ball CarriersChristopher Newport University teaches open-field tackling to the defensive backfieldDefensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator © More from this issue
As
modern offenses rapidly continue to modify their playbooks with
the intention of generating both space and one-on-one situations,
it is imperative that defensive backs become fundamentally sound
in the art of the open-field tackle.
We use a variety of drills in order to teach our defensive backs
the fundamentals of open-field tackling. In individual drills we
incorporate the “stalk” footwork
in to our daily warm-up routine of defensive back movements. As we progress through
our “backpedal and breaks” work we add the stalk movement to the
end of the drill. In the following drill the coach will send the DBs into a backpedal
by simulating a 5-step drop as the coach begins to simulate a throwing or handing
off motion the defenders will break forward and quickly accelerate directly down
the path that they had just backpedaled upon. At the starting point of the drill
the next defensive backs in line will be waiting with a ball. When the tacklers
come within 4-6 yards they will begin their “stalk” and continue
to land their eyes on the ball carrier who is told to speed walk at a 45-degree
angle. (See Diagram 1.)
At CNU we do an assortment of one-on-one drills with the wide
receivers and quarterbacks. The following drill will teach our
defensive backs that they
can make sure tackles
while keeping their proper cushion on a receiver. The drill is set up with
a group of quarterbacks in the center of the field and two groups of receivers
on each side of the field. Four cones are set up three yards in front of
both receivers. The cones are set in a 8x8-yard square. This forces
the receiver
to
make a quick move in limited space and allows the drill to simulate other
defenders outside the cones. The quarterbacks and receivers will
throw three-step hitch
routes simultaneously working both sides of the field. The DBs will align
at proper man coverage depth, anywhere between 5-8 yards, and will
also alternate
utilizing both inside and outside leverage. As the quarterback drops, the
defender will begin to backpedal attempting to maintain his vertical
cushion. As the
ball is thrown the DB will break forward on the receiver and will begin to
sprint
full speed. As he approaches the receiver he will come to balance, begin
to “stalk,” and
make the open-field tackle. During this drill the coach must stress the importance
of taking away one side of the ball carrier. Anticipating that the receiver
will attempt to take the opposite side, the DB must attack the receiver with
his “stalk” technique.
Upon contact, the defender is coached to land his eyes on the receiver’s
numbers and continue to work through the receiver by moving his feet and
rolling his hips. The drill is done at full speed, but is ended by a whistle
before
the receiver is taken to the ground. (See Diagram 2.)
An additional form of help a defensive back may use in performing an open-field tackle is another one of his teammates. This can be simulated by splitting up the DBs into three groups: receivers, flat or force defenders; deep outside defenders. The coach will serve as the quarterback and will take a three-step drop and throw the ball to a receiver located outside the force player and in front of the deep player. Once the ball is thrown the DBs will sprint and stalk the receiver using each other to leverage the ball carrier between them. (as seen in Diagram 4)
About the author Justin Lustig Justin Lustig has spent the past two seasons as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. In only its second year of existence, the new program at CNU has won two Dixie Conference Championships and with it two automatic bids to the NCAA D-III tournament. This past season Lustig assisted on a defense that was nationally ranked in several categories including Total Defense (271.1ypg) and Scoring Defense (15.2 ppg,) and led the conference in interceptions (2001 and 2002). Lustig graduated from Bucknell University in 2000 where he was a four year starter at defensive back and captain his senior year. |
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