Top 5 Drills Every Safety Should Be Doing Weekly

The safety position is one of the most demanding on the field. You’re expected to tackle like a linebacker, cover like a corner, and think like a quarterback. That’s why your weekly training needs to sharpen every tool in your toolbox — speed, awareness, reaction, and technique.

Whether you’re a high school safety trying to earn a scholarship or a DB coach developing your unit, here are 5 drills every safety should be doing weekly to stay ready on game day.

1. Pedal & Break Transitions

Purpose: Improves backpedal control and change of direction.

Drill:
Start in a DB stance, backpedal 5–7 yards on command, then break 45° left or right on cue. Repeat from various alignments.

Coaching Points:

• Stay low in your pedal

• Keep eyes forward, chest over knees

• Explode out of your break with 2 quick steps

Why it matters: Safeties are constantly reading and reacting. Crisp transitions help you close space in zone or attack underneath throws.

2. W-Drill (Weave and Plant)

Purpose: Builds lateral movement and hip flexibility.

Drill:
Set 5 cones in a zig-zag/W pattern. Pedal to each cone, plant and weave toward the next cone.

Coaching Points:

• Maintain cushion and control

• Open hips without losing leverage

• Head stays level — no false steps

Why it matters: Great for pattern matching and covering space while staying square to the line of scrimmage.

3. Break Step / T-Step Ball Reaction Drill

Purpose: Trains your break step and reaction to passes.

Drill:
Start in a backpedal. On coach’s signal or ball release, plant your outside foot in a T-step and drive to break on the ball.

Coaching Points:

• Bicycle Step or Make the “T” — toe perpendicular to heel

• Explode off the plant foot

• Attack the point of the catch

Why it matters: Elite safeties anticipate and arrive with violence. Clean T-steps put you in position to do both.

4. Open & Run with Route Recognition

Purpose: Simulates real route concepts and closing angles.

Drill:
Coach or receiver runs a route tree. Safety starts flat-footed or backpedaling, then opens and runs based on stem.

Coaching Points:

• Recognize route types: post, corner, seam

• Use proper leverage and angles

• Don’t overcommit — stay on top

Why it matters: This mimics game action. Knowing how to turn and stay in-phase with receivers is essential to making plays deep.

5. Angle Tackling Drill

Purpose: Prepares you to make open-field tackles from safety depth.

Drill:
Set up a ball carrier and safety 10–12 yards apart at an angle. Ball carrier sprints toward a cone while safety tracks and fits up.

Coaching Points:

• Close space under control

• Keep inside leverage

• Strike through the ball carrier with hips and eyes up

Why it matters: Safeties often have to save touchdowns. Practicing pursuit angles and wrap-up technique is a must.

Final Thoughts

Drills don’t make great safeties — intentional work on the right drills does.

Whether you’re a free or strong safety, focusing on these five every week will raise your game:

1. Pedal & Break

2. W-Drill

3. Break Step / T-Step & Ball Reaction

4. Open & Run

5. Angle Tackling

Want more tips like this? Grab your copy of 101 DB Tips — a complete guide to mastering defensive back play. Or better yet, join our DB community at members.alleyesdbcamp.com where we break down drills, film, and technique every week.

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alleyesdbcamp

Owner at All Eyes DB Camp

Chad Wilson is the founder of All Eyes DB Camp and a former standout defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes. After an elite collegiate career, Wilson spent a season with the Seattle Seahawks before transitioning into coaching. A 3-time Florida state champion defensive coordinator, he has spent over 20 years developing the "All Eyes" blueprint that has produced NFL All-Pros and stars like Xavien Howard, Patrick Surtain II, Tyson Campbell, Minkah Fitzpatrick and more. His coaching system is proven at the highest levels—his own sons, Quincy and Marco Wilson, both excelled as starters in the SEC before being drafted into the NFL.

Chad is the author of "101 DB Tips"—The Ultimate DB Reference Guide. You can find more information on the manual and how to order your copy in the sidebar and footer of this page.

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