Master Off Man Coverage with Proper Transition Sequences

If you want to be a high-level defensive back, you have to be a master of space. In off-man coverage, that space is called the “cushion.” Most young DBs treat the cushion like a static distance they just hope to maintain. The elite ones treat it like a living, breathing thing that they control through a specific sequence of movements.The biggest mistake I see at every camp is a DB “bailing” the moment the receiver moves. They turn their back, open the gate, and run. When you do that, you aren’t covering; you’re racing. And in a race where the wide receiver knows the finish line and you don’t, you’re going to lose.

To truly lock down a receiver from an off-position, you must master the Pace-Pedal-Crossover sequence.

Phase 1: The Pace

The “Pace” is the start of the rep. When the receiver first comes off the ball, he is usually in a “stride-out” phase, trying to gauge your leverage. If you fly backward at 100 mph immediately, you’ve created too much space, giving him a “two-way go” to break his route anywhere he wants.

During the Pace phase, your feet should move with short, quick, low-to-the-ground steps. You are matching his tempo. If he’s at 50% speed, you’re at 50% speed. Your goal here is to keep your chin over your toes and your eyes locked on his beltline. You are waiting for him to commit to his vertical stem.

Phase 2: The Pedal

Once the receiver realizes he hasn’t moved you with his initial release, he’s going to “push” vertically. This is where you transition from a Pace to a full Backpedal.

This is the mental “Game of Chicken.” As he speeds up, your foot frequency must increase. This is what I call “rapid taps.” You are trying to maintain that 3-yard cushion as long as humanly possible while staying square. Staying square is the only way you can effectively break on a slant, a hitch, or a comeback. The moment you turn your hips, you’ve signaled to the receiver that he has won the vertical battle.

Phase 3: The Crossover

Eventually, a fast receiver is going to close that 3-yard cushion. You cannot backpedal as fast as a world-class sprinter can run forward. When that cushion shrinks to about 1.5 to 2 yards, it is time to transition.

But you don’t just turn and run. You move into the Crossover Run.

In the Crossover, you turn your hips toward the receiver’s path but keep your shoulders and eyes “tucked” back toward the man. This allows you to stay in a “side-saddle” position. You are now running at full speed, but because you haven’t fully “run away,” you can still see the receiver’s hips. If he breaks his route now, you are in a perfect position to “climb” over his top shoulder or “drive” on the ball.

On a Side Note

I personally like adding a shuffle phase into this. Often times, receivers will run at you hard, get you to turn and then break their route off. They know that it is harder for you to break on a route from a crossover run than it is a back pedal. This is why I like the shuffle. The shuffle is easier to break out of than the crossover. The shuffle can smoke out the receiver’s intentions. If you transition into a shuffle for 3-4 steps, you can induce the receiver into breaking off his route and thus be in a better position to break on it. You enter the shuffle when the receiver gets to a bout 3-4 yards away from you as opposed to waiting till he’s 1.5-2 yards away. If after a few shuffle steps, the receiver is continuing to press vertically then enter into your crossover run. Beware though, just because he’s continuing his vertical climb, it does not necessarily means that his route won’t break off. Keep your focus and your eyes on the hips.

Why Most DBs Fail the Sequence

Most players fail because they skip Phase 1 and 2 and go straight to a “Bail” (Phase 3). When you bail early, you lose all your vision and all your leverage. The receiver can stop on a dime, and you’ll be five yards downfield wondering where he went.

Mastering this sequence takes extreme discipline. It takes thousands of reps to get comfortable with a receiver sprinting at you while you stay square. It’s unnatural, and it’s hard. But it’s how you become a playmaker.

The Blueprint for Success

If you want to see the specific drills we use to build the Pace-Pedal-Crossover sequence, including film-room breakdowns of NFL guys doing it right, you need to be in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area. I have over 400 videos that walk you through every inch of this movement.

And if you need the ultimate reference guide for your stance and start to make sure Phase 1 is perfect, grab your copy of 101 DB Tips. It’s the standard for DB technical play.

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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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