Post by Coach Campbell on Jan 4, 2013 14:27:56 GMT
Defensive Football Drills and Techniques
By William Machin
Photo Credit football play 1 image by Amy Myers from Fotolia.com
Assistant coaches conduct drills designed to train and condition players for each of the defensive positions. Defensive linemen perform drills that develop proper footwork and techniques to shed offensive blockers. Linebacker drills stress lateral movement and filling gaps to stop ball carriers. Drills for defensive backs teach backpedaling technique and breaking to the football.
Linemen
The first defensive lineman takes a four-point stance in front of the first dummy on a five-man sled. At the whistle, the player takes a strong first step with the outside foot and plants both hands into the dummy. The lineman pivots on the inside foot, makes a full revolution away from the sled and sets in position at the second dummy. The second player takes a four-point stance in front of the first dummy and at the whistle both players repeat the strong first step, hand contact and pivot footwork. Each time the end dummy is vacated another lineman joins the drill. Continue until all linemen have hit each of the five dummies.
The drill teaches proper footwork, balance, strong hand contact and the spin technique for shedding a blocker.
Linebackers
Stage the linebacker drill with five tackling bags spaced two yards apart along the line of scrimmage. The coach stands three yards behind the middle bag as the ball carrier. The linebacker sets up outside the end bag with knees bent, body forward, hands at waist level and eyes on the coach. The linebacker's feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width. The linebacker must keep his eyes focused on the coach during the drill.
At the whistle, the linebacker begins a charge with the inside foot and slams the first bag with a two-hand shiver, then makes quick shuffle steps to the second bag and delivers a two-hand shiver. Continue shuffle steps and hand shivers with eyes on the coach. After contact with the last bag, the linebacker sprints past the coach at full speed.
The drill teaches linebackers to maintain a low center of gravity and lateral footwork technique while targeting the ball carrier.
Defensive Backs
The four-cone drill stresses proper backpedaling technique and teaches defensive backs to keep their eyes on the football while moving laterally.
Stage the drill with four cones, 10 yards apart, in a square configuration. A quarterback sets up 15 yards away from the square and ready to throw the football. The defensive back takes the backpedaling stance next to the starting cone with his eyes on the quarterback. At the whistle, the defender backpedals in a straight line to the first cone, then shuffles sideways to the second cone. The ball is thrown as the defender is shuffling sideways. The defender must make the catch and tuck the ball away. The defender sprints straight ahead to the third cone, then shuffles sideways to the starting cone and runs at full speed past the quarterback.
Read more: www.livestrong.com/arti...hniques/#ixzz2H2KXEr5W
By William Machin
Photo Credit football play 1 image by Amy Myers from Fotolia.com
Assistant coaches conduct drills designed to train and condition players for each of the defensive positions. Defensive linemen perform drills that develop proper footwork and techniques to shed offensive blockers. Linebacker drills stress lateral movement and filling gaps to stop ball carriers. Drills for defensive backs teach backpedaling technique and breaking to the football.
Linemen
The first defensive lineman takes a four-point stance in front of the first dummy on a five-man sled. At the whistle, the player takes a strong first step with the outside foot and plants both hands into the dummy. The lineman pivots on the inside foot, makes a full revolution away from the sled and sets in position at the second dummy. The second player takes a four-point stance in front of the first dummy and at the whistle both players repeat the strong first step, hand contact and pivot footwork. Each time the end dummy is vacated another lineman joins the drill. Continue until all linemen have hit each of the five dummies.
The drill teaches proper footwork, balance, strong hand contact and the spin technique for shedding a blocker.
Linebackers
Stage the linebacker drill with five tackling bags spaced two yards apart along the line of scrimmage. The coach stands three yards behind the middle bag as the ball carrier. The linebacker sets up outside the end bag with knees bent, body forward, hands at waist level and eyes on the coach. The linebacker's feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width. The linebacker must keep his eyes focused on the coach during the drill.
At the whistle, the linebacker begins a charge with the inside foot and slams the first bag with a two-hand shiver, then makes quick shuffle steps to the second bag and delivers a two-hand shiver. Continue shuffle steps and hand shivers with eyes on the coach. After contact with the last bag, the linebacker sprints past the coach at full speed.
The drill teaches linebackers to maintain a low center of gravity and lateral footwork technique while targeting the ball carrier.
Defensive Backs
The four-cone drill stresses proper backpedaling technique and teaches defensive backs to keep their eyes on the football while moving laterally.
Stage the drill with four cones, 10 yards apart, in a square configuration. A quarterback sets up 15 yards away from the square and ready to throw the football. The defensive back takes the backpedaling stance next to the starting cone with his eyes on the quarterback. At the whistle, the defender backpedals in a straight line to the first cone, then shuffles sideways to the second cone. The ball is thrown as the defender is shuffling sideways. The defender must make the catch and tuck the ball away. The defender sprints straight ahead to the third cone, then shuffles sideways to the starting cone and runs at full speed past the quarterback.
Read more: www.livestrong.com/arti...hniques/#ixzz2H2KXEr5W