Match Hips Drill
This is a great fundamentals drill that teaches defensive players how to sink their hips and quickly react to a wide receiver.
Defensive Back Drills
Stretch and Break Drill
Purpose To develop a defensive back's ballhawking instincts Drill Setup Passer at the line of scrimmage with a football, and a receiver on either side of him, 10 yards apart Defensive back
Backpedal Shuffle Break on Ball
Purpose To work on footwork, agility and develop ballhawking instincts. Set Up The defensive backs will form a line 5 yards in front of the coach, who will have a football in
Cone Plant Reaction Drill
Purpose To teach and reinforce the proper technique when backpedaling and changing direction. Set Up Set out two pairs of cones about 10 yards apart, with 2 more pairs 5 and 10
Stretch and Break Drill
Purpose To work on a defensive back’s awareness, recognition, and ballhawking instincts. Set Up You’ll need a passer on the LOS, and a WR on either side of him, about 10 yards
Shed Block Drill
Purpose To work on defeating blocks, pursuit, and tackling. Drill Setup You’ll need a coach with a blocking shield, and a tackling dummy. The defensive players should form a line about 5-7
Strip The Catch Drill
Purpose To teach defenders how to attack the ball as they make the tackle. Drill Setup Have players break off into groups of 3 - a passer, a receiver, and a defender.
Man Press Drill
Purpose To give WRs and DBs a chance to get reps in a 1-on-1 game-like coverage situation. Set Up Have players pair off by size and speed. The first pair will step
DB Zone Break
Purpose To teach defensive backs how to read the quarterbacks eyes and drive on the ball when in zone coverage. Set Up You'll need two WRs and a passer, as well as
Bad Ball Drill
Purpose To work on a players ability to make difficult catches. Set Up Have the receivers form a single file line, and stand about 15-20 yards in front of it. You’ll also
Three Weave Drill
Drill Type: Defensive Back Drill Purpose Allows players to become comfortable with attacking a receiver three times in different directions. Set Up Place 2 players 5 yards apart, facing each other, with
Zone Mesh Drill
Drill Type: Defensive Back Drill Set Up Have your quarterback line up with the runner in the backfield waiting on his signal. On the right side on the other side
Linebacker Hole Tackling Drill
This is probably my favorite tackling drill. In this drill, we use four cones to create holes, and the tackler doesn't know where he is going. He is working on
Cutback Drill
Purpose If you find that your players are constantly overcommitting and allowing large cutback lanes, this is a great drill to teach them how to stop and contain the ball carrier. Set
Open Field Tackling
Drill Type: Team Drill Purpose: In this tackling drill drill, we're going to recreate an open field situation and focus on tackling. Set Up: Place your players ten yards apart. Execution: With the bag (or
Ping Pong Drill
Drill Type: Defensive Back Drill Purpose This defensive back drill allows players to practice getting the best turn situation in terms of covering the maximum amount of ground. The emphasis
“Rush Against the Pop-Up” Drill
Drill Type: Pass Rush Drill Purpose In this pass rush drill, we simulate ball movement without using the offensive line or each other, instead performing a rush against a short pop-up
Score Tackling Drill
Drill Type: Defense Drill Purpose This drill emphasizes getting in front of ball carriers and attacking them square. Set Up Set up 4 bags, or 4 lines of cones (3 cones deep)