Defensive Backfield Positioning, Alignment, and Intercept

Van Malone, Assistant Football Coach, Western Michigan University Former Texas Longhorn Defensive Back (1990-1994) Former Detroit Lions Defensive Back (1994-1998). Van.Malone@Wmich.edu

There are several key points that must be emphasized to develop your Defensive Backs. These points must be carefully studied and continually practiced in order for them to be mastered. 1. StanceBump Alignment- Feet should be parallel. The feet should be no more than shoulder width apart. Knees should be bent with hands above the knees at a ready position. The chin should be over the knees. The feeling should be much like sitting in a chair. Be alert to maintain a narrow base. This narrow base allows for better movement. Normal (Off) Alignment-Feet should be shoulder width apart. Inside foot should be placed on the heel of the outside foot with the hips slightly pointed toward the sideline. Knees should be bent with hands above the knees at a ready position. The chin should be over the knees. The feeling should be like sitting in a chair. Be alert to maintain a narrow base 2. Alignment/PositionBump Alignment-Most of the time it is best to bump from inside position. The DB should allow the receivers inside leg (leg closest to the QB) to split his crotch. When using the Outside Bump Technique, the DB should align on the receivers outside leg. Hands should be up near the DBs chest area. It is crucial that the DB crowds the line of scrimmage. The DB should be no more than two yards from the Offensive receiver. He is attempting to align as close as he can without being offside. Normal Alignment-It is essential to understand that you can align in either inside or outside position. Inside position tells you that the DB will shade the inside shoulder of the receiver. Outside position says that he will shade the receivers outside shoulder. Normally, if you have no Safety help - Safety in the middle of the field. It is better to align with inside positioning. This alignment puts the DB in better position on the quick inside routes by the Receiver. There are cases where you can alter this alignment to confuse the offense (for example, have the DB start outside and move inside on the snap of the ball). The DB will align from six to seven yards away from the receivernot the line of scrimmage. His hips will slightly angle toward the sideline so that he can see the Formation/QB and his coverage responsibility/Receiver. The DB will angle his hips the same way for both inside and outside positions. Van Malone Western Michigan University Waldo Stadium Football Office Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Page 1

12/21/2011

Coverage is strong against inside routes when the DB aligns inside. Coverage is also strongest against outside routes when he aligns in outside position. 3. BackpedalThe most important point of the backpedal is to be ready to play before the snap of the ball. The DB must get into position to for his coverage so that when the ball is snapped he is ready to read the QB for route levels. Inside foot should be placed on the heel of the outside foot. Toes should be slightly turned in as if he, the DB was pigeon-toed. The DBs heels should slightly raised. Eyes should be on the receiver. On his movement DB should lift his inside foot and step back while pushing his body backward with his outside foot. This gives the DB the ability to run in reverse. Which, simply stated, is what backpedaling is. This movement should be done at slower paces at first until it is well coordinated. Some players will have quick choppy steps and others with have a slower paced backpedal. Neither one is better than the other. What is important is the amount of distance covered in the shortest time. It is important to realize that this movement requires the DB to keep his chin over his knees. He must have a slight lean forward. The DB must maintain low center of gravity. Coaching Point: If the DB feels himself starting to fall backwards in his pedal it maybe because he is too high. Bend the knees more. Make sure the chin is over the knees. Pay close attention to the movement of the armsJust as in forward running the arms help to increase locomotion in the backpedal. 4. DriveDrive is the transition from the backpedal to forward running. It is crucial for the DB to accomplish this movement in the most efficient manner possible. It must be understood that the offensive players know the routes. The success of the defensive back is dependent on his ability to react to these routes as quickly as possible. Careful film study of your opponent will enable the DB learn his movements, therefore allowing the DB to gain an advantage on him because you will be able to react quickly to his routes. When driving on an outside route the defender will plant on his inside foot, point outside foot toward the intercept point and explode to this point. The opposite is true when driving on inside routes, plant on outside foot point with inside foot and drive to intercept point. It should be noted that the DB should not look back at the QB until he has reached the Intercept Point. Coaching Point: Many DBs make the mistake of dividing the feet in the transition from Backpedal to forward running. The importance of keeping the body tight with feet under the body should be stressed when working this movement. 5. Interception PointThe DB must be sure to break to the point where the ball and the receiver will meet. This point is called the Intercept Point. He must be sure not to overrun the ball. He must also make sure that he does not break behind the ball also. In his drive to the ball the Defensive Back must be sure to operate in straight lines. Never make rounded breaks and drives. The ball should always be caught at the highest point. Defensive Backs must be adept at judging angles so that they are able to meet the ball at the highest point before the opponent is able to retrieve it. Remember that if the DB gets to the interception point and is not able to make the Interception, he must secure the tackle. The standard that DBs are measured by is the Interception. Pick is the common term used by todays secondary. Many people feel that the defensive backs number one job is to stop the long pass and to make sure tackles on long runs. These are both true to a certain extent. The most important job of any defensive player is to get the ball back for the offense. Defensive backs have the best chance to do this because when the QB releases the ball on a pass it belongs to no one. Great Van Malone Western Michigan University Waldo Stadium Football Office Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Page 2

12/21/2011

Defensive Backs have the mindset that the ball belongs to them. That they have just as much right to the ball as the receiver does.

6. Coaching Points for Defensive BacksKnow your assignments. Know where you play and your responsibilities on all coverages. Be ready to go before the snap of the ball. When the offense is at the line of scrimmage you must be prepared for play to begin. Learn to recognize formations. Learn what it means when the offense sets the backs to the TE and what to expect at the snap. Your knowledge of little bits of information about your opponent can only make you a better player. The secondary is made up of people who are not afraid to be vocal. Talk. If you are wrong, at least everyone is on the same page. When things go wrong, the real men pick up the pieces, put what they can together, and keep fighting. Losers stand around and complain about all that has gone wrong. Always be positive and confident in your play and in the defense. Stay in your pedal as long as you can. The WR is trained to get you out of the backpedal as soon as he can. The transition from backward to forward is much more explosive and efficient from the backpedal. Defensive Backs must be players who will lay it on the line. Players who will compete and challenge. You will not always be 100% successful but your effort and your will must never waver. Never give up on a play. Fight to rip the ball out just as the receiver begins to tuck it away. Play the game with your eyes. Always keep vision on your coverage responsibility. If the QB scrambles tighten or plaster your coverage.

It is your coachs job to give you all the tools that you need to be successful. Once you have those tools

YOU GOTTA WANT TOEVERYDAY EVERYDAY

Van Malone Western Michigan University Waldo Stadium Football Office Kalamazoo, MI 49008

Page 3

12/21/2011