Playing Defensive Back: Tips and Strategies for Cornerbacks
If you’re a football player or coach looking to improve your team’s defense, you need to focus on the defensive backfield. The defensive backs, or DBs, are the last line of defense and play a crucial role in preventing big plays and turnovers. In this post, we’ll go over some tips and strategies for playing cornerback and safety, two of the most important positions in the defensive backfield.
HOW TO PLAY CORNERBACK
Cornerbacks, or CBs, are responsible for covering the opposing team’s wide receivers. This is a challenging position that requires speed, agility, and quick reflexes. Here are some tips for playing cornerback:
Stay Low
One of the most important things for a cornerback is to stay low. This will help you maintain your balance and change direction quickly. Keep your knees bent and your weight centered over your feet.
Read the Quarterback’s Eyes
The quarterback’s eyes can give away where he’s going to throw the ball. Watch his eyes and try to anticipate where the ball is going. This will give you a better chance of making a play on the ball.
Play Press Coverage
Press coverage involves getting up close and personal with the receiver and trying to disrupt his route. This can be an effective strategy, but it requires good technique and physicality. You need to be able to use your hands to jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage without getting called for a penalty.
Study Film
One of the best ways to improve as a cornerback is to watch film of yourself and your opponents. Look for patterns in the way receivers run their routes and try to anticipate their moves.
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If you really want to reach your full potential as a defensive back then you should own a copy of my critically acclaimed E-book ‘101 DB Tips’. It is categorized and organized to deliver you the tips you need in a manner that is easy to understand. It’s a great reference guide to playing or coaching defensive back. Get your copy here 101 DB Tips
Chad Wilson is the owner of All Eyes DB Camp and author of "101 DB Tips". He played college football at the University of Miami and briefly in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. Over his 15 year high school football coaching career, he tutored over a dozen Division I defensive backs and as a trainer has worked with NFL All Pros, first round draft picks, college football All Americans and Top 10 ranked high school football prospects.
