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Julian Wilson, DB Coach, North Texas

Full video on Glazier Drive: Cover 3 Coverage Concepts

DEFENSIVE BACK DAILY FUNDAMENTALS AND PRESS TECHNIQUE TRAINING

Our video covers essential defensive back (DB) drills and techniques used in daily practice. The coach emphasizes that these "indie drills" are daily essentials, though their implementation depends on the game plan and offensive formations expected that week.

READ STEPS AND EYE TRANSITION

The foundation starts with teaching corners proper read steps on the quarterback's three-step or five-step drops. The critical skill is eye transition - after reading the QB's steps, DBs must immediately snap their eyes back to the receiver rather than continuing to watch the quarterback. This discipline prevents DBs from getting caught watching the wrong thing in man coverage.

PEDAL TECHNIQUE AND BALL SKILLS

The next phase involves working on opening up and pedaling, whether using man turns or zone turns depending on the coverage. The coach stresses that DBs need to practice ball drills as much as or more than receivers, since DBs only get one or two opportunities per game to make plays on the ball, unlike receivers who know when passes are coming their way.

ZONE COVERAGE DISCIPLINE

In cover three simulations, the coach uses arm signals to teach DBs proper positioning - a straight arm means overlap the seam of the #2 receiver, while pointing out means #2 has eliminated himself and the DB can play heavier on #1. The emphasis is on maintaining zone discipline rather than immediately converting to man coverage, which would reduce the defense from 11 players to 9 in terms of rally ability to the ball.

PRESS TECHNIQUE FUNDAMENTALS

The "press" or "pier" technique involves an aggressive 6-inch step toward leverage (inside or outside based on the defensive call) without giving ground. The critical teaching point is that feet must move first before shooting hands - shooting hands with dead feet results in getting beat at the line. The coach teaches DBs to aim for the inside armpit or chest area when jamming receivers, throwing the hands like a jab punch.

FEATHER TECHNIQUE

Feather technique uses 6-inch steps backward while giving ground, waiting for the receiver to declare direction before shooting the off-hand. It's crucial to shoot the correct (off) hand, as using the wrong hand locks the hips and makes recovery difficult. This technique is recommended as a changeup for longer DBs (6'2"+) and as a primary technique for smaller DBs under 5'10" who may not be comfortable pressing every down.

DRILL PROGRESSION AND RECEIVER COLLABORATION

The drills progress from low-impact pre-practice warmups (three steps without shooting, then with shooting, then with counters) to live work against receivers. The coach emphasizes the importance of collaborating with the receivers coach to get quality work against coached receivers who are trained in release techniques, as DBs can't replicate that level of work among themselves.

 

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