The Deep Ball Mistake That Allows a Receiver to Stack You

By: Chad Wilson
Owner – All Eyes DB Camp

Okay, here’s the scenario: You’re a defensive back in off-man coverage. The receiver eats up your cushion faster than expected. You turn to run, but instead of getting vertical, you turn toward the receiver. Within two steps, the receiver is on top of you and has control of the route.

This is a common mistake, but it is one that defensive backs who understand Tip 50 in my book, 101 DB Tips, will be better prepared to avoid. That tip covers this exact scenario and explains how to handle it.

When faced with this situation, many defensive backs try to catch the receiver or stop his momentum. This is the wrong approach, and it can easily result in a big play. Wide receivers have evolved over the years, and many of them practice defeating defensive backs who attempt to stop them once the cushion has been broken.

The better approach is to match the path of the wide receiver. Everything the receiver and the offense want is beyond you. Because of that, you should not make an all-out attempt to stop the play at the exact point where your cushion is broken.

Your brain’s natural reaction is to search for immediate help. That instinct can cause you to initiate contact with the receiver or reach out and grab him. You defeat that instinct by knowing what to do and consistently drilling the correct mechanics.

In 101 DB Tips, I explain the proper way to execute in this situation. Recovering requires efficient footwork and proper upper-body positioning.

The truth is, if you take enough coverage reps as a defensive back, you will eventually face a situation in which a wide receiver eats up your cushion. Sometimes you remain in your backpedal because your read suggests that the route is about to break. When that read is wrong and the receiver continues vertically, a potential disaster begins to unfold.

Well-trained defensive backs with the right knowledge and enough practice using the proper mechanics can get back in phase, align themselves with the receiver, and break up the pass or potentially intercept it.

At the lower levels of football, underthrown deep balls are fairly common. With the proper execution, a defensive back can put himself in position to turn a near-disaster into a big play for himself and his defense.

When your cushion gets broken, think vertical.

Executing this efficiently requires specific footwork and upper-body mechanics. As always, your eye discipline is also critical. In 101 DB Tips, I explain each of these details and show you how to put yourself in position to create a turnover.

It is not enough to simply look for the football. There is a proper way to do that, too.

After years of playing, coaching, and training defensive backs, one thing has become very clear: Winning at this position starts with knowing what to do.

I spend time every day helping defensive backs build the knowledge they need to excel. 101 DB Tips is one of the key resources that can help you get where you want to go.

If you want to level up your game and become a more consistent playmaker, 101 DB Tips belongs in your defensive back library. Choose the e-book for immediate access or order the softcover for your training library.

Get your copy of 101 DB Tips.

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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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