Keys to Great Defensive Back Play

by: Ernest Blount
Defensive Backs Coach, C.W. Post
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In developing sound defensive back play I stress eight keys to success.

The keys are precise clear communication, a solid stance, smooth backpedal, plant/drive, interception point, job and mindset. These keys are stressed everyday throughout practice, during every period. On game day the big key is mindset.

Communication –

An important key for the secondary is to communicate during the football game. The importance of talking cannot be overemphasized. They must talk before and after the ball has been snapped. Before the snap they are determining strength, motion and any shifting adjustments. Coverage checks must be passed on to the entire defense. After the snap the call of run, pass, crack, reverse, draw, etc. will allow the defense to react to the play faster.

Stance –

Keep head and eyes up with slight turn inside to see QB movement.

Outside foot should be up in a heel/toe relationship with inside foot.

Toes should be slightly pinched inward. Knees bent with flexion in ankles. Chest is high with chin over knees. Arms are at side raised slightly with forty-five degree angle bend at elbow. Defensive backs should be smooth and in control of their movements. Defensive backs are required to have efficient, explosive moves.

Alignment –

Cover 8 – cornerbacks will be 2x9 yards inside of the split receiver. Free Safety will align at 10 yards in the “B” gap to the strength of the formation.

Cover 3 - field is 53.3 yards. Divided into the three defensive backs have a little over 17 yards to cover. Corners are at the top of the numbers (the numbers are 9 yards from the sidelines). The corners are 1x7 outside of the receiver. The safety will split the two widest receivers at 12 yards.

Cover 2 – Corners align at four yards with outside shade. The shading inside or outside in their alignment is also dictated by whether they are in cover two, two man or blitz coverage. They should be disguising their alignments. The safeties align (ball MOF) on the hashes at 12 yards.

Man – This is a press alignment. The DB establishes an inside shade because generally you do not have help from the inside. When in a press coverage DB can be three to four yards from WR. The DB has to really work hips and feet to direct and be able to cut off WR since he is not using hands.

Blitz – This is a bump alignment. The DB establishes an inside shade because we do not expect help from anyone else. When in bump coverage the DB crowds the line of scrimmage. DB should be no more than two yards off from the receiver. DB is trying to get as close as possible without going off sides and still be very physical.

Backpedal –

The key part of the backpedaling motion is making sure the DB is ready to play before the snap of the ball. The DB must be in the proper alignment for the coverage called so that he can read the QB for route levels. Once in proper stance DB should be slightly on his toes. Eyes will be in high beam/ low beam mode. This is eye on the QB (high beam) and on the receiver (low beam). On the snap of the ball DB should lift his inside foot and push off of the outside foot. Which, in reality, gives the DB the ability to run in reverse, which is what backpedaling really is. The first steps are controlled read steps that can be accelerated depending on what the DB is reading.

The amount of ground covered in his backpedal is what is important for a DB, not really the length of his backpedal. So when analyzing his stride, short quick choppy steps are not any better than a slower paced backpedal. The DB must have a slight lean forward, while keeping a low center of gravity. In using the arms in backpedaling we will use as little movement as possible. The reason for this is that the extreme pumping of the arms slows down the ability to efficiently and quickly transition from the backpedal motion into a forward running attack motion.

A technique that we use in backpedaling to gain ground and keep our leverage is called stem. The stem technique is used to prevent the WR from squaring up on the DB. By keeping his leverage the DB can prevent a two way go by the receiver and transition to the thrown ball.

Plant & Drive -

The plant is the placing of the rear foot with all cleats in the ground at approximately a 45-degree angle causing momentum to stop. This is the first phase of transitioning from backpedaling to running forward. The second key is with the other foot to take a drive step towards your target. These two movements are the key to the successful transition on a pass for a DB.

A DB’s success is dependant upon his ability to react as quickly as possible. The DB’s ability to change direction with the proper drive to his point of attack is crucial. When driving on an outside route the DB will plant on his inside foot, point his outside foot at the point of intercept and explode to this point. The opposite happens on inside routes, the DB plants on the outside foot, points the inside foot and explodes to the intercept point. (The DB should be getting to the intercept point before looking back at QB).

Interception Point –

The DB must break to the intercept point. This is where the ball and the receiver will meet. The play cannot be overrun and the DB cannot break behind the ball. All breaks should be straight to the point not rounded off. The DB must be able to judge angles so that he can meet the ball at the highest point before the receiver can catch it. What we want at the point of interception is to pick the ball off, if not a blow up of the ball from the receiver and then if the first two don’t happen a secure tackle must be executed.

Job –

The most important job for the defensive backs is to get the ball back to the offense as soon as possible. Through interception, fumble or fumble recovery. DB’s should be able to create the turnovers. When the QB releases the ball great defensive backs feel as though the ball belongs to them.

Mindset –

Defensive backs must know their assignments and be able to communicate to the rest of the defense. A DB must be ready to lay it on the line and not be afraid to make a play. The DB will not always be successful but his effort and will to be successful cannot waver. A DB can never give up on a play, if the ball is caught, rip the ball out before it is put away. DB’s must have the proper mindset they must – Concentrate, Anticipate, Recognize and Execute.

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