Post by Coach Campbell on Jan 30, 2013 16:51:39 GMT
How to Play Man-To-Man Coverage in Football
by M.L. Rose, Demand Media
Man-to-man defense is the most common type of pass coverage in youth and high school football. Some youth teams employ zone coverage, or they mix in man and zone techniques. Zone coverages are seen more widely at the college and professional levels. Even if your team uses zone coverage, a pass play often comes down to one defensive back covering one receiver, so it's important to learn man-to-man techniques.
1. Line up about 7 yards from the line of scrimmage, facing the receiver you're covering.
2. Take a low stance, because a lower center of gravity will help you turn quicker when the receiver makes a cut.
3. Keep your eyes on the receiver's hips as the play begins and while he's running his pass route. The receiver's hips will turn in the direction the receiver is cutting.
4. Take an inside position, unless you're certain you have safety help to the inside. By positioning yourself closer to the inside of the field than the receiver, you eliminate an easier throw for the quarterback. Throwing the ball to the outside means the ball will be in the air longer, which is a more difficult throw. Even if an outside throw is accurate, you'll have more time to get to the ball and knock it down.
5. Backpedal for about the first 3 or 4 yards when the play begins, unless the receiver breaks sharply; for example, if he's running a slant route over the middle or a fade to the sideline, in which cases you'll advance quickly, basically mirroring the receiver's route. Otherwise, keep some distance between yourself and the receiver as you backpedal so you can turn quickly and run with him if he's running a deep route.
6. Break underneath the receiver if he cuts toward the sideline or over the middle.
7. Deflect a pass with the arm closest to the line of scrimmage, so if you miss the ball you can still tackle the receiver with your other arm. Thrust your arm between the receiver's arms if you can't deflect the ball before it reaches the receiver. When the receiver brings his hands together to catch the ball, try to knock the ball away.
by M.L. Rose, Demand Media
Man-to-man defense is the most common type of pass coverage in youth and high school football. Some youth teams employ zone coverage, or they mix in man and zone techniques. Zone coverages are seen more widely at the college and professional levels. Even if your team uses zone coverage, a pass play often comes down to one defensive back covering one receiver, so it's important to learn man-to-man techniques.
1. Line up about 7 yards from the line of scrimmage, facing the receiver you're covering.
2. Take a low stance, because a lower center of gravity will help you turn quicker when the receiver makes a cut.
3. Keep your eyes on the receiver's hips as the play begins and while he's running his pass route. The receiver's hips will turn in the direction the receiver is cutting.
4. Take an inside position, unless you're certain you have safety help to the inside. By positioning yourself closer to the inside of the field than the receiver, you eliminate an easier throw for the quarterback. Throwing the ball to the outside means the ball will be in the air longer, which is a more difficult throw. Even if an outside throw is accurate, you'll have more time to get to the ball and knock it down.
5. Backpedal for about the first 3 or 4 yards when the play begins, unless the receiver breaks sharply; for example, if he's running a slant route over the middle or a fade to the sideline, in which cases you'll advance quickly, basically mirroring the receiver's route. Otherwise, keep some distance between yourself and the receiver as you backpedal so you can turn quickly and run with him if he's running a deep route.
6. Break underneath the receiver if he cuts toward the sideline or over the middle.
7. Deflect a pass with the arm closest to the line of scrimmage, so if you miss the ball you can still tackle the receiver with your other arm. Thrust your arm between the receiver's arms if you can't deflect the ball before it reaches the receiver. When the receiver brings his hands together to catch the ball, try to knock the ball away.
