| Through recent years NFL General Managers have | | | | a football field or a park. Make sure the yardage is |
| made a noticeable trend in the type of players they | | | | marked appropriately to get the proper feel for the |
| value the most in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd rounds of the | | | | depth and feel of each route. |
| NFL draft. Of all the players selected in each round | | | | Bump and Run/Man to Man Coverage |
| since 2000, a majority of these players have been | | | | Step 1: Pick a starting spot where you have at least |
| Defensive Backs and Safeties. This trend is largely | | | | 20 yards to drop back into coverage. |
| due to the skills and talent that these players can | | | | Step 2: Assume you are playing man to man |
| instantly bring to a defensive. With a unique | | | | coverage on the outside receiver and play bump and |
| combination of speed, agility and quickness, Defensive | | | | run for the initial 5 yards. (Back pedal with hands on an |
| Secondary positions can transform a good defense | | | | imaginary receiver) |
| into a GREAT defense immediately. | | | | Step 3: At 5 yards turn your hips and sprint to the 20 |
| In order to become an impact player as described, a | | | | yard line. |
| young Defensive Secondary player must dedicate | | | | Step 4: Break the route into a comeback towards the |
| themselves to a strict training program of enhancing | | | | sideline and sprint to the Line of Scrimmage. |
| speed and quickness, while simultaneously preparing | | | | Step 5: Repeat steps 1-4 for three sets, working both |
| for any and all circumstances that can occur during a | | | | left and right side of the ball. 25 second rest between |
| game. | | | | each drill. |
| The following two articles are dedicated to teach | | | | Zone Coverage |
| young Defensive Backs or Safeties the principles of | | | | Step 1: Same |
| becoming GREAT defenders. These drills are currently | | | | Step 2: Play at least 5 yards off the Line of |
| being utilized by today's top Defensive Secondary | | | | Scrimmage. Drop back in a pure backpedal as FAST |
| Coaches and players. They are a regular part of their | | | | AS YOU CAN to the 20 yard line. |
| off season training and individual practices, and if you | | | | Step 3: Once your foot touches the 20 yards line, |
| can implement these drills into your normal training | | | | break AS FAST AS YOU CAN directly back in the |
| schedule and dedicate yourself, you will see an | | | | path you just ran and SPRINT to the Line of |
| enormous increase in your ability to be a game | | | | Scrimmage. |
| changing player. | | | | Step 4: Repeat steps 1-3 for three sets, alternating |
| Drill 1: Break on the Ball | | | | each the left and right side of the ball. 25 seconds rest |
| This drill is probably the most well know among all of | | | | in between each set. |
| the Defensive Secondary drills that exist today. It | | | | Coaching Tips |
| involves using all the necessary reaction skills, speed, | | | | - Maintain a low center of gravity during the Bump and |
| and agility required to effectively simulate covering a | | | | Run and back pedal |
| receiver and breaking on the ball. Today's greatest | | | | - Chop you feet SLIGHTLY when you make a break |
| Secondary players such as Champ Bailey, Troy | | | | on the ball. |
| Polamalu, and Pacman Jones work on this drill | | | | - On the break, keep you feet directly under you. If |
| religiously, and it obviously translates into their | | | | your feet are too far in front of you, you will slip and |
| performance in each game. | | | | fall, GUARANTEED! |
| Purpose | | | | - Sprint through the Line of Scrimmage, DO NOT LET |
| Increase Secondary coverage skills through enhancing | | | | UP until you are 1-2 yards past. Practice |
| drop back capabilities while quickening the reaction and | | | | GREATNESS. Mediocre and good players will jog |
| break on a pass. | | | | through the Line of Scrimmage. |
| PLEASE NOTE: This drill will require a 35-50 yards of | | | | |