Purpose: The Release Drill is designed to help the receiver get separation from the defensive back at the line of scrimmage.

Setup: Two players, one receiver and one defensive back, line up anywhere on the field. The coach should be nearby to call commands.

Coach helps receiver get in the proper stance with inside foot forward, hands in the ready position.

 

To separate from the DB, the receiver could do a rip arm move inside or a swim move outside.

 

Execution:

Rip Arm Technique

  1. The receiver lines up in the proper stance – inside foot forward, hands in the ready position, head turned toward the line of scrimmage.
  2. Defensive back lines up opposite the receiver.
  3. Coach says “Go.”
  4. Receiver attacks half the defensive back’s body – so if he is using an inside technique he would attack the inside half of the DB’s body.
  5. He then rips his arm underneath to separate from the DB

Swim Technique

  1. The receiver lines up in the proper stance – inside foot forward, hands in the ready position.
  2. Defensive back lines up opposite the receiver.
  3. Coach says “Go.”
  4. Receiver attacks half the defensive back’s body – so if he is using an outside technique he would attack the outside half of the DB’s body.
  5. He then brings his arm over the top in a swimming motion to separate from the DB.

Coaching Tips:

• Players should also be using rapid-foot fire to get the defensive back to hold position and proper hand positioning to get the defensive back’s hands off him during this drill.