This article was originally posted on the Glazier Coaching Blog.
Improve your secondary coverages with these DB Drills and Techniques from Glazier Drive.
Coach Ben Bolling takes you through a discussion of what he uses as a defensive assistant with the Houston Texans.
Not shown on the video is Coach Bolling’s belief that athletic position = comfort. Not everybody has the same genetic ability and the same mobility in their joints. As a resule, not everyone will have the exact same athletic stance.
Eye discipline is key. Without eye discipline, nothing else matters. It is the same focus for everything.
Footwork focus is Read, Pace, Pedal
1. Read = Patient kick-slide/shuffle footwork
- Eyes on the outside hip of the receiver.
- Think at least 3 kick/slides.
2. Pace = Tempo pedal to match the release
(Coaching Phrase: “Once you’re even, he’s leavin’. ” That is maintain your cushion as a DB)
3. Pedal = Pedal and weave to keep leverage.
Open when cushion is broken (3 yards vs. WR)
Key the leverage shoulder
Treat TEs differently than Wide Receivers