Mastering the Break: The Perfect Break Drill
The Perfect Break Drill is designed to refine a defensive back’s ability to anticipate a receiver’s route, break quickly on the pass, and secure an interception. This drill emphasizes footwork, timing, and ball-tracking skills.
Purpose
- Anticipation and Reaction: Develops the ability to anticipate a receiver’s route and react quickly to the pass.
- Breaking Technique: Refines the defensive back’s ability to execute a proper break, maintaining balance and control while changing direction.
- Interception Skills: Improves the defensive back’s ability to track the ball and secure interceptions.
Description
Drill Setup
- Pair defensive backs with receivers (can be defensive backs acting as receivers, too).
- Defensive backs and receivers line up opposite each other, approximately 5-7 yards apart.
Drill Execution
- Receiver’s Route: The receiver runs an out route, starting with a straight line before breaking towards the sideline.
- Defensive Back’s Backpedal: The defensive back maintains a backpedal, staying in phase with the receiver.
- Breaking on the Route: As the receiver initiates his break, the defensive back plants his foot and explodes into the change of direction with the goal of disrupting or, ideally, intercepting the pass.
- Disrupting/Interception Technique: When the pass is thrown, the defensive back focuses on tracking the ball and decides if he has to secure the tackle or can go for the interception.
Progressions/Variations:
- Increase Difficulty: Gradually increase the speed and complexity of the drill by introducing different receiver routes (depth of the out, hook route or wheel route) and/or defensive back responsibilities.
- Ball Placement: Vary the location of the pass to challenge the defensive back’s ability to adjust their break and make the decision to secure the tackle and “just” try to disrupt the pass or go for the interception.
Coaching Points
- Anticipation: Emphasize reading the receiver’s body language and anticipating their route.
- Breaking Technique: Focus on a quick and decisive break, using a plant foot and driving through the hips.
- Footwork: Encourage short, controlled steps and maintaining balance throughout the drill.
- Hand Placement: Emphasize proper hand placement for intercepting the ball, using both hands to secure the catch.
- Ball Tracking: Stress the importance of tracking the ball through the catch, using peripheral vision to locate the football.
- Secure the Tackle First: Since this is primarily a coverage drill, the defensive back should only go for the interception when he is 100% sure he can make the interception, otherwise he should secure the tackle with his downfield arm and try to deflect the pass with his upfield hand.
Equipment
By mastering the Perfect Break Drill, defensive backs will develop the skills and instincts necessary to excel in coverage and create turnover opportunities.
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.
