D'Back and Pursuit Drills

I've got tons and tons of DB drills. However, what the school I'm coaching at right now does is have 5 basic drills we do every defensive day during individual period. Every position has them and every level does the exact same drills. They're basics on footwork and things like that for DBs.

1. Start and 180 turn - Have DBs for 2-4 lines depending on number of personel. First one in each line steps out and gets into stance, check all stances to make sure they are good. Give signal to start by slapping ball, but keeping it low for slow/read backpedal, bring ball up to throwing position for full speed backpedal, then make throwing motion to have them turn and run. They should go about 20 yards away. Repeat until all have gone. Make sure they are making the turn in one step and not breaking it up. Also, tell them which side the man they are guarding is on, so they get the hang of turning the way you want them to. Have them come back to the start of the drill doing the same thing.

2. Weave and 180 turn - Stay in lines from first drill. Start out same with as first drill with slap for slow/read backpedal, then bring high for full speed. Now turn shoulder so players weave in their backpedal following your shoulder. Turn it to both sides at least once. Then perform throwing motion so players turn and run straight back. Repeat to bring them back to start. Focus on them leading with thier hips as they weave and make sure the turn and run is one step.

3. Run Reaction - Stay in lines from previous drills. Again, use slap of the ball to start them in slow/read backpedal. Turn to one side as if giving a handoff. All DBs react and slant at 45 degree angle to the line of scrimmage to the side you turned the ball to. Then bring the ball up to throwing position so they backpedal straight back then bring it down to the side as if handing off to the other side. They must react in same way as the first time, but now they fit up in a tackling form on the next person in line. If they have done things right, they will be perfectly lined up to form up on that guy. Focus on them going in the right direction and not anticipating your movements. Also, footwork is key here as well. I don't like to teach a plant and go, I guess it's a bit of a false step that I teach to get them moving forward out of their backpedal, but whatever you like to teach, go with it.

4. Read and React - Bring it down to two lines. First one out in each line facing you but only about a foot apart. Slap for read, then up to throwing position for full speed, then turn and throw to one side and they have to react to it. The one on the side you turned to becomes the WR and the other becomes the DB trying to break up the play. Make sure they finish the play, trying to break the basket even if it looks like the WR has the catch. Focus here is them reading your shoulder. Don't let them cheat their backpedal to get a jump on the direction.

5. Post to Speed Turn - One line. Start the same way with slap, then up to throwing position. Then turn your shoulder to one side and they have to open up and run as if reacting to a post. Turn back the other way and throw. They have to speed turn, getting their head around quickly to find the ball and run to it and catch it at it's highest point. After the INT is made, make sure they run the ball all the way back to the start. Again the turn to change direction should be made in one step.

We repeat each drill twice. It only takes about 10-15 min to get through these, but they are the basics that all DBs need to be good at. I have more that we don't get to everyday, but are good drills. I hope you like those. I've got a few pursuit drills as well, but don't have time right now to get to those. Good luck.