Covering Two Verticals: The Defensive Back Stretcher Drill
The Stretcher Drill is designed to refine a defensive back’s ability to effectively defend deep passing concepts, specifically targeting two vertical routes. This drill emphasizes footwork, reaction time, reading the quarterback and decision-making skills in a challenging coverage scenario.
Purpose
- Deep Coverage Technique: Develops proper footwork, balance, and positioning for defending deep routes.
- Route Recognition: Enhances the defensive back’s ability to quickly identify and react to vertical routes.
- Ball-Hawking Instincts: Improves the defensive back’s instincts for tracking deep passes and making plays on the ball.
Description
Drill Setup
- Have 2 defensive backs act as receivers.
- Place them 10 yards apart at the line of scrimmage.
- The coach or designated passer stands in the middle.
- A defensive back stands about 5-7 yards from the line of scrimmage exactly between the two receivers.
Drill Execution
- On command, the two receivers begin to sprint in a straight line while the
- the defensive back begins to backpedal as fast as he can.
- The coach or designated passer, imitating a quarterback, then points his shoulders at one of the receivers.
- The defensive back turns his hips toward that receiver and transitions into a cross-over run.
- When the passer throws the ball, the defensive back breaks to the ball and tries to deflect or intercept it.
Variation
- The passer changes his stance one or two times, “threatening” to throw the ball to the other receiver.
- The defensive back must now turn his hips and continue his cross-over run with his hips pointing to the other receiver, but without losing a step.
Coaching Points
- Reading the passers shoulders
- Make quick adjustments
- Anticipate the throw
- Take the proper angle to break up or intercept the pass
Equipment
By mastering the Two-Vertical Coverage Drill, defensive backs will develop the skills and instincts necessary to excel in deep coverage situations and create game-changing turnovers.
