Mastering the Press: Defensive Back Press Coverage Drill
The Press Coverage Drill is designed to refine a defensive back’s ability to disrupt a receiver’s release at the line of scrimmage and maintain close coverage. This drill emphasizes the importance of hand placement, footwork, and physicality in press coverage situations.
Purpose
- Press Technique: Develops proper hand placement, footwork, and body positioning for effective press coverage.
- Lateral Quickness: Enhances the defensive back’s ability to mirror the receiver’s movements and maintain close proximity.
- Physicality: Fosters a physical and aggressive approach to press coverage, disrupting the receiver’s release.
Description
Drill Setup
- Pair defensive backs with receivers (can be another defensive back).
- Receiver lines up at an imaginary line of scrimmage and the defensive back positions himself as he would in press coverage: as close as possible to the line of scrimmage and just enough to the inside to not allow an inside release.
Drill Execution
- Receiver Release: On the coach’s command, the receiver attempts to release from the line of scrimmage and run in a straight line for about 10 yards. In this phase he should avoid any contact with the defensive back.
- Defensive Back’s Response: The defensive back reacts to the receivers release trying to stay in his way and forcing him off his path. In this phase the defensive back has to do it without using his hands (might even have to hold them behind his back) or contact.
Progression
- Introduce Contact and Hand Usage: Allow the defensive back to use his hand(s) to hinder the receiver on a clear release and forcing him off his route in the process. The receiver is now allowed contact, too, and should anything (within the rules) to stay on his route.
- Increase Intensity: Gradually increase the speed and physicality of the drill to challenge the defensive backs.
- Receiver Counter Moves: Introduce various receiver release techniques (e.g., jab steps, releases, double moves) to challenge the defensive back’s ability to adapt.
- Defensive Back Counter Moves: Teach defensive backs different press techniques and hand fighting moves to combat different receiver releases.
- Different Routes: Introduce different routes such as slants, hitches, outs, and give the receiver the freedom to use any kind of release technique to get onto his route. The defensive back must also read the receiver’s intentions and work to keep him off his intended route.
Coaching Points
- Footwork: Encourage quick, controlled steps and maintaining a low center of gravity for optimal balance and agility.
- Eye Contact: Stress the importance of maintaining visual contact with the receiver’s hips and shoulders to anticipate their movements.
- Leverage: Teach defensive backs to use their leverage to control the receiver’s release, without resorting to penalties.
- Physicality: Foster a physical and aggressive approach, using the body to disrupt the receiver’s release and momentum.
- Hand Placement: Emphasize proper hand placement, using the hands to control the receiver’s release. Avoid grabbing or holding.
Equipment
By mastering the Press Coverage Drill, defensive backs will develop the physicality, technique, and mental toughness required to excel in press coverage situations.
