This month, in keeping with the theme of my last few posts, I’d like to share three quick drills I use to work on man coverage with my linebackers. This is interesting for me to share, because this is one area I believe can be “over-coached”. I was definitely guilty of over coaching it early in my career…and maybe I still am.
Open Up
This drill is the most basic of the basic, but I believe it is the first brick you need in your foundation if you’re going to be able to effectively play man-to-man coverage with your underneath defenders. To set up the drill, I put a LB facing the sideline, somewhere in the neighborhood of the numbers. For drill purposes, I have him straddle a yard line. Facing the linebacker, also straddling the line, is a receiver. On the command, or whistle, the receiver takes off vertically – right up the line – at about 3/4 speed. The LBs objective is to force the receiver off his vertical path. Now, we’ve cheated by placing the LB directly in the receiver’s lane to begin the drill. However, the true object of the drill comes into play when the distance between the players is closed. The receiver, obviously, has to choose whether to step to the right, or to the left to resume his vertical route. When the receiver makes that decision, the LBs job is to mirror his step, and take a slight (no more than 6″) open step in that same direction. Taking this step will start his hips turning into the receiver (man-turn).
As he is taking his open step, he will use his opposite arm to deliver a straight jab into the receiver’s sternum. I always stress contacting the sternum because it allows you a margin of error. If you aim for the shoulder and miss, you’ve whiffed completely. By aiming for the chest, you can still make contact if you’re late, or your aim is off.
When you throw your jab, your back leg should come through, forcing your hips to complete their turn into the receiver. For this particular drill, because I want it to be basic, I stop the rep there. As you progress, have the LB complete the turn and cover the route for a few yards.
My main coaching points in this drill are that the jab-and-turn should A) further force the receiver off his path and B) the turn puts you into a position where your body is between the QB and the receiver.
*For further simplicity, you can introduce the drill by having the LB JUST take the step, without any jab, and then add the jab once he’s got the footwork down.
Stutter Drill
The next drill is meant to emphasize staying with a receiver in and out of his cuts. For this drill, I place a receiver on the sideline, facing the field. I start the LB approximately a yard and a half behind the receiver, facing the same direction. Again, we run this drill at about 3/4 speed.
On the command, or whistle, the receiver takes off on a vertical route. The LB follows in a trail position. At intervals of his own choosing, the receiver stutters his feet, simulating a break in his route. The LB should mirror this movement, and stutter his feet (while sinking his hips) in unison with the receiver, ready to mirror any cut the receiver may make. Initially, the receiver will simply run a vertical route for 10-15 yards. The next step is for the receiver to run a “stair step” route, again stuttering his feet at intervals (see diagram below).
Watch It
This drill is one I put together to try to limit my own over-coaching. The set up for the drill is exactly the same as the Stutter Drill, but there is now a football being thrown. The receiver is again on the sideline, facing the field, with the LB just behind him. On the command, or whistle, the receiver takes off on a vertical route, with the LB running with him in a trail position. As the LB runs with the route, I want him watching the ear hole of the receiver’s helmet. I’ve yet to see a receiver not look for a ball when he expects it. The movement of his ear hole is a great indicator that he is indeed looking for an incoming pass. Additionally, he is going to move his hands into a position to catch the ball. When the LB sees the ear hole turn, he will immediately look to “match hands” with the receiver. I don’t over-coach this (anymore!). Get him to simply put a hand, or hands, where the receiver’s hands are. Then, and only then, can he look for the ball. I’m not super-concerned with interceptions here; pass break-ups work too!
I hope there is something, anything, in this blog posting which might benefit you and your program. So often, when man coverage is called, LBs are at a disadvantage in their assignment. Whether it’s a back out of the backfield, or a slot receiver, typically we give up something in terms of athleticism. I have found these drills to help us with the basic techniques we can use to limit our disadvantages.
If you have questions, concerns, criticisms, or general feedback, I can be reached at wrussel1@norwich.edu.