Defensive Back X’s and O’s

The corner position is becoming frustrating. In my eyes it isn’t just our coverage that needs help, but our pass rush is having just as many problems. Coverage and pressure go hand and hand. Until our DL and LB’s can get some pressure we will consistently give up a lot of yards through the air.

Here is something to think about: This is our third year running this defense. Teams now understand what we are doing and they know how to beat our schemes. The first year of the scheme change our defense was very good, but all the concepts and coverages were new to our opponents. The second year our defense had one whole year of experience under their belts and also had a few extra wrinkles in coverages and blitzes. This year, opponents are used to what we do on defense. Our young secondary doesn’t have the luxury of running coverages that teams haven’t seen. This puts the pressure on our DBs’ technique and assignment understanding and for young players those are the aspects of the game that take the longest to develop.

What are some technique problems that need to be addressed?
The first would be stepping in the bucket. When our corners break on the ball it should take two steps. One to plant your foot and the second step should be a drive step, which closes the gap between the corner and receiver. Our defender should only need to make up a step or two. Currently we are stepping in the bucket and leaving ourselves with too much space to make up.

When “breaking” The first step halts your backward momentum and the second step propels you forward toward the receiver. In order to be successful in planting and driving our DBs need to play with better pad level. That means their back peddles need to improve, their leg strength needs to improve and their vision needs to improve.

Paddle level- When you play with the right pad level it puts your lower body in an explosive position. If the DB is too high they will need an extra “bucket step” to get their momentum moving in the correct direction. On Saturday BYU played more man coverage then I played in two years under Coach Hill. When you play more man technique pad level becomes crucial to knocking down passes and closing out WR separation.

Back Peddle- Our corners and safeties aren’t staying square in their back peddles long enough. They all turn their hips too early or have either too much pace or too lightly pace when they peddle. When you position yourself at certain depths in coverage you need to match your back peddle speed to correspond with the WR speed and your depth. If you are deep and the receiver is faster than you are, you might need to peddle with a normal pace. If you’re tighter to a receiver and the receiver is faster than you, your back peddle will need a faster pace. If you are in a bad back peddle position the receiver can force the DB out of their peddle quickly. The DB then has to turn his hips –which takes time-, accelerate –which takes time-, and keep his eyes in the right place –outside hip of the receiver. All of these components need to be efficient and quick in order to stay in good coverage. If the back peddle fails you might as well give the receiver an easy catch –and we are.

Vision- This is probably the most important part. A corner has to have his eyes in the right places in order to insure that they can break to make a play. Our young corners are having trouble because they aren’t focused on the things they need to be focused on.

Pre-snap they need to pay attention to which receiver they are guarding -is it the primary receiver or someone who doesn’t catch a lot of ball. They need to look at the receivers’ split/alignments. This can help anticipate an inside or outside route. They also need to see how many receivers are on their specific side. This can help you understand what kind of route combinations to expect.

Then depending on the coverage they need to read their keys, get into a good back peddle and make the play when the ball comes their way. Taking care of all of these variables is what gets you into position to make plays. The last part is making the ball. Don’t wave at the ball as it flies past you. You can’t teach someone how to make plays, but you can teach good technique.

Our secondary play will improve once the rush starts getting some pressure on the quarterback and our defensive backs get better at the aforementioned coverage principles. Why aren’t you seeing G Pittman, Bradley and others play more? They aren’t ready. Once they prove –on a consistent basis- that they can prepare both mentally and physically, they will get the opportunity on the field. Brandon Bradley has started making more plays and as a result will get more playing time.

There is talent on the bench, but they aren’t playing for a reason. Let’s trust the staff that they are putting the most capable players on the field.