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AFM Magazine


Overcompensate in the Coop - Drills to Improve Your Defense

by: Bob Lancaster
Defensive Coordinator Catawba College
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I have come to realize that it doesn’t matter what level of football you coach - fundamentals are the most important aspect. At Catawba College, our defensive philosophy is to keep things simple so our athletes can perform at the highest level. Fundamentals are of utmost importance. A phrase that is used many times, like a broken record, is “lower your pad level!” But what does this mean and how can I get this accomplished without repeating myself over and over? I will explain some drills that we perform daily to overcompensate pad level and flexion points. The “Coop” has become an integral part of our fundamental instruction.


All of these drills can be executed in or out of the coop. The “Coop” forces all 3 power points to be in correct position. The 3 power points are:

1.      Flexion in the hips

2.      Flexion in the knee

3.      Flexion in the ankles


The height of the coop can be altered, but with defensive backs, they are more waist benders, keeping their chests over their feet. This enables the defensive backs to be able to drive on any three-step game, explode vs. any  stalk block and stay low while keeping the cushion vs. any receiver in the 5-or-7 step passing game.


1.      Pedal-Wheel:  Starting at one end of the “Coop”, we will form two lines (side by side). A coach will be kneeling in between the lines. Two DB’s will enter the coop and turn facing the coach. The players will simply backpedal through the middle of the coop. A proper pad level will automatically occur, and we want the DB’s to take 6-inch steps with their feet slightly gliding over the blades of grass. We want to emphasize quick or “typewriter feet” as they pedal through the coop.


As defensive backs, we never know when we have to re-direct, so our steps are only 6 inches in length. As they travel through the coop, the kneeling coach will flash 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 with his hand. The DB’s will communicate what number is being flashed. This makes the DB’s perform a backpedal while keeping their eyes on a target. When the DB’s reach the end of the Coop, they will turn (“wheel”) the same way and burst for 5 yards. This drill simulates a DB having to backpedal with proper “power points”; that is, accelerating his feet, eyes on a target, then turning (“wheel”) with a receiver trying to run by him.


2.      W-Drill:  “Don’t waste time in your stick”. 

This drill is performed at every level of football. It is the most important movement for a defensive back. How quick can a defensive back change direction from traveling backwards (backpedal) to going forward.

A single file line is made at one end of the coop. We will use the poles of the coop as our target. All DB’s will travel in the same direction for both segments of this drill. First, they will travel from right to left. The DB’s will backpedal 3-4 steps and use a left footed “stick”. Then the DB’s will travel left to right using right feet sticks. The “stick feet” should have the heel planted in the ground underneath the framework of their bodies. The first step after his “stick” is called the “drive feet”. The “drive” foot should have the toe pointed towards the target. The usual coaching points are applied -


            1. Do not round off your stick-drive.

            2. Do not pause in your stick.

            3. Always have your hips and shoulders pointed to the target.


A coach will be positioned in front of the coop flashing numbers. The DB’s will communicate the number to be flashed. Eyes are up and performing this drill in the coop ensures all proper power points are in flexion.


3.      Slide, Slide/Pedal:  “Complete Body Control”

This drill is basically the same as the “W Drill”, but we add one component. We add a “shuffle” or “slide” movement to each segment. Start the drill in the exact same manner as the “W-Drill”. The player will start at the first pole of the coop and “slide” to the next pole. During the “slide” segment, make sure the feet never cross or come to the mid-line of the body. This keeps weight distributed evenly so the player can react and move in any direction. Once the player slides and touches the first target pole, he will slide back towards the original pole. The sequence for each section should be:


1.      Slide one way.

2.   Slide back the other way.

3.   Pedal.

4.   Stick.

5.      Drive to next target pole.


   4.  90-degree  Breaks

The last drills have work in 45-degree angle break points. The defensive back works on a 90-degree or flat angle break point. All DB’s will line up at one end of the coop in two lines. They will start the drill in the same manner as the pedal/wheel drill. Two DB’s will begin to pedal and travel through the coop with their eyes on the coach. At any point during their pedal the coach will call “break”. The players will each “stick” with their inside feet and “drive” out of the coop. The coach will vary the break command so the players cannot anticipate when to perform the “stick and drive”.


The players will then switch lines and perform the drill twice so they will get practice using a left and right footed “stick”.


Almost all of our defensive back drills have voice commands or QB simulation. We never allow our defensive backs to pre-determine their break points. Remember, a defensive player is a reactor because we do not know the exact point that a receiver is going to cut, stem or stop. The coop is extremely important for us because it allows a player to learn, by muscle memory, that a lower pad level always has the edge per speed and collisions. The coop overcompensates the power points, but it gives all players great dividends when they play the game.







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