Bill Brechin, Defensive Coordinator, Miami (OH)

View the full video on Glazier Drive: DB Man Technique & Progression to Game

MAIN PHILOSOPHY

The key to successful DB play is progression - you can't just do individual drills and expect results. Players must progress from individual work to drills to one-on-ones to practice, with techniques carrying through each level.

CORE TECHNIQUE: PRESSURE STEP DRILL

This is the foundational drill taught on day one. The focus is on:

• Starting in an uncomfortable, low stance (comfortable players will fall step)
• Executing a pressure step backwards off the line
• Using the "inch technique" to stay square as long as possible
• Giving ground immediately at the snap
• Maintaining square hips through the first four yards

STANCE AND FIRST STEP

Players who look comfortable in their stance will fall step (step forward first). The proper technique requires:

• Low, uncomfortable power position
• Pressure step pushing off the most comfortable foot
• Always going backwards on the snap
• Staying square prevents the receiver from winning early

PROGRESSION TO ADVANCED TECHNIQUES

Once players master staying square, they progress to:

• Cut-off steps and hand jams
• Thumb-down technique for punches
• 45-degree steps when hips open
• Off-hand punches when receivers declare their route

SQUEEZE DRILLS

These drills teach DBs to:

• Force receivers outside their intended landmarks
• Look for the ball at 3/4 distance, not immediately
• Use zone squeeze techniques (for players who can handle it)
• Feel the receiver's hip movement to anticipate routes

KEY COACHING POINTS

• Don't guess - if the receiver's hips don't move, go backwards
• Give players depth information and route landmarks
• Force receivers to do "more BS at the line of scrimmage"
• Stay on top of routes to make completions difficult
• Avoid looking back for the ball too early in drills

GAME APPLICATION

The drill work must translate to live situations. Success is measured by:

• Being on top at the end of routes
• Making completions difficult even if not intercepting
• Forcing receivers outside their preferred landmarks
• Maintaining proper technique under game pressure

The overall message is that fundamentals must be drilled consistently and carried through all levels of practice to be effective in games.

Joe Cullen, D-Line Coach, Kansas City Chiefs

Full video on Glazier Drive: How Hard Can You Play When Putting the QB Down is An Absolute Must for Your D-Line?

THE SET LINE PRINCIPLE FOR OUTSIDE PASS RUSHERS

Coach Cullen breaks down the fundamental set line technique that creates elite pass rushers. The concept centers on forcing offensive tackles to make critical decisions that open up rushing lanes to the quarterback.

PROPER ALIGNMENT AND APPROACH

Outside pass rushers should align approximately one yard outside the offensive tackle. If a tight end is present, the rusher's big toe should align with the tight end's big toe. The target point is four yards behind the tackle's back heel, creating the shortest straight-line path to the quarterback. The goal is to throw your "fastball" - rushing at maximum speed to force the tackle to turn his shoulders perpendicular to the sideline and open the gate.

READING THE TACKLE'S RESPONSE

The technique revolves around the tackle's reaction to your speed rush. If the tackle doesn't get to the set line, execute your best edge rush move - club rip, double swipe, then finish with a rip. When the tackle sets soft, attack with a long arm power move. If he over-sets, counter underneath with an inside move. The key is making the tackle turn and move his feet while maintaining your straight-line path.

FILM BREAKDOWN EXAMPLES

The coach analyzes several NFL players demonstrating proper technique. Frank Clark shows excellent get-off, forces the tackle to turn shoulders, rushes half a man, executes his move, and finishes by turning his toe and crotch toward the quarterback. Carlos Dunlap at 34 years old displays the same fundamentals - proper approach, decisive moves, and strong finish.

ADVANCED CONCEPTS

When tackles begin taking away the set line by over-setting, elite rushers like Za'Darius Smith adapt by coming underneath while still throwing their fastball. The coach emphasizes building rushers from the ground up, focusing on footwork fundamentals. Players like Matt Judon demonstrate versatility with club rips, out-and-back moves, and inside counters against over-sets.

POWER RUSH INTEGRATION

The system incorporates power moves when tackles sit soft. Chris Jones exemplifies this by powering tackles directly back into the quarterback when they don't respect the speed rush. Terrell Suggs shows how to sell the speed rush, get the tackle to over-set, then attack with power up the inside armpit using a long arm technique.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS

Everything works because these rushers commit to throwing their "fastball" first. The speed rush threat forces tackles into compromising positions, creating opportunities for counters and power moves. The coach stresses that alignment helps sell the speed rush, making tackles more likely to over-set and create inside rushing lanes.

Check out the links to our newest releases:

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From Constant Pressure to Clean Pockets: Half-Slide Pass Pro Scheme

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These 6 Every Day Drills Turn Average Receivers Into Playmakers

See you next week with five more!

Bryan Gallagher, Head Coach, Morris Knolls HS, NJ

The full video is available on Glazier Drive:  RB Fundamentals, Drills, & Scheme to Execute the Big 5 Run Plays in the Flexbone: Inside Veer, Zone Dive, Midline Double, Midline Triple, & Toss

BALL SECURITY AND FINISHING DRILLS SUMMARY

This coaching video focuses on preventing fumbles during the most vulnerable moment - when players are fighting for extra yards at the end of runs. The coach emphasizes that defenses are specifically trained to target these opportunities for strip attempts.

BALANCE DRILL FOR BALL SECURITY

The primary drill teaches players to maintain ball security while off-balance. The setup involves the player with left foot on ground, right hand on ground, and the other foot elevated. The football must stay tucked underneath the body throughout the drill. A partner monitors the drill and attempts to punch the ball out if the player's elbow flies up to help maintain balance. Players take three hops and burst out while keeping the ball secured underneath their body.

HIGH KNEES DRILL WITH DOUBLE COVER

This drill incorporates pressure at the start using shields, agile bags, or coaches with boxing gloves to force players into proper double-cover technique. The key detail is having a finishing point with cones set up as tunnels at the opposite end. Players must finish through the tunnel north-south rather than jogging off at angles, ensuring they gain ground and complete the drill properly.

PERIMETER FINISHING DRILLS

Designed for slot receivers and players carrying the ball near the sideline, this three-cone drill teaches different reactions based on defender positioning:

• Turn the Corner: When the defender is chasing from inside-out and even with the carrier, players get heavy on the outside foot, use a straight arm, and turn the corner
• Cut Back: When the defender overruns, players throw them by with the inside arm while keeping the ball on their chest (never over the head)
• Lift Technique: When neither turning the corner nor cutting back is possible, players get heavy on the outside foot, lower the inside shoulder, and lift through the defender to fight for extra yards

The coach stresses that ball security must be maintained throughout all finishing techniques, as this is when fumbles most commonly occur.