The Downhill Drills: Attacking and Intercepting the Ball Thrown in Front of You
The Downhill Drills are designed to develop a defensive back’s ability to aggressively pursue and intercept passes thrown in front of him. This drill emphasizes speed, explosiveness, and ball-tracking skills, simulating the challenges of playing the ball in coverage.
Purpose
- Ball-Hawking Instincts: Develops the mentality and aggression to aggressively pursue and secure deep passes.
- Explosiveness: Enhances the defensive back’s ability to accelerate and drive forward towards the ball.
- Body Control: Improves body control and coordination for making plays on the ball in the air.
- Ball Security: Reinforces the importance of securing the ball after making an interception.
Description
Drill Setup
- Defensive backs line up in a single file, approximately 15-20 yards away from a coach or designated passer.
Drill Execution
- Sprint Forward: On the coach’s command, the first defensive back sprints forward towards the passer.
- Pass Placement: The coach or passer throws a hard, fast pass, aiming directly at the defensive back’s chest of head.
- Interception Attempt: The defensive back aggressively attacks the ball, aiming to intercept it in front of his body with his hands.
- Ball Security: After catching the interception, the defensive back tucks the ball away (high and tight).
- Return: Without losing a stride the defensive back continues sprinting with the ball back to the passer.
Variations
Break at 45°:
The purpose of this Break at 45° drill variation is to work on catching the ball while running full speed into the flight path of the thrown football.
- At about the halfway point, the coach gives the defensive back a “look” at which side to break.
- The defensive back immediately breaks at 45 degrees in that direction.
- The coach throws the ball so that the defensive back can catch it at about chest-to-face level without breaking stride.
- The defensive back catches the ball and runs past the coach to “score”.
High Point
The purpose of this High Point drill variation is to work on catching the ball at the highest point possible.
- High Arched Throw: The coach throws the ball so that the defensive back must jump to catch the ball at the highest point.
Coaching Points
- Explosiveness: Emphasize a powerful and explosive drive towards the ball, aiming to cover as much ground as possible.
- Body Control: Encourage defensive backs to maintain control of their bodies throughout the drill.
- Ball Tracking: Stress the importance of tracking the ball with their eyes and adjusting their body position accordingly.
- Hand Placement: Emphasize proper hand placement to catch the ball, and catching it in front of his body, not with his body.
- Ball Security: Reinforce the importance of tucking the ball away with both hands and holding it high and tight.
- Finish: Emphazise the importance of continuing to sprint while and after catching the ball.
Equipment
- Footballs
By mastering the Downhill Drills, defensive backs will develop the physicality, instincts, and ball-hawking skills necessary to excel in defending deep passes and creating game-changing turnovers.
Break at 45° Drill
High Point Drill
Originally contributed in 2007 by Coach Leon Criner (✝️ Nov. 14, 2014), at the time Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator and Jimmy Sims, at the time Assistant Professor of Health & Physical Education / Head Football Coach at Los Angeles Valley College – The Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs played then in the Western States Conference, now in the SCFA, Southern California Football Association.
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