Crossover Run Break Micro Drill

PLEASE READ FIRST !

In the video below, I am working on a crossover run break drill to improve the athletes’ efficiency in getting out of breaks.

I am not narrating the video. It is running in its natural state as it was recorded during my session. During the session, I was working on crossover breaks with the athletes to teach them how to run, break, and drive on a throw to make an interception or, at the very least, a pass break-up.

The athletes were having trouble staying vertical in their run. To assist them in staying vertical, I had my assistant, Jemal, go and stand behind them but off to the side. If they failed to stay vertical, they would run into Jemal. I did this so they could get the feel of what it’s like to stay vertical on the field. Why is this important? Whether covering man-to-man in a crossover run or playing zone, it is crucial to stay over the top of the routes. If the defender starts veering off, the receiver can break his cushion and get even with him sooner. Therefore, it is important that the athletes learn how to stay vertical and cover the fade first. From there, they can react to all of the other routes. In this case, we were breaking on a comeback.

Another point emphasized in this drill was taking the eyes of the defender from the quarterback to the wide receiver when they made their break. Just so you understand, I am standing just off-camera holding a lacrosse ball and tossing it to a cone at the comeback point so that they can catch it.

As the athlete begins his run, he is looking at me for a cue to break. Once he sees me move the ball towards the comeback, he is to plant his foot, turn his eyes to the cone at the comeback point, and drive his eyes to that cone for 2 to 3 steps. After that, he is to look for the ball and make the catch.

This primes their eyes to be in the correct place. In a drill like this, repetition is key. So, I shortened the drill to try and get more reps. Instead of standing 10 or 15 yards away throwing a football, which would take more time, including retrieving dropped footballs, I moved closer and used lacrosse balls to speed up the drill and get more reps.

Another reason I use lacrosse balls in my drills is to get the athletes to focus on the catch. Oftentimes, after catching footballs repeatedly, the athletes start to take the catch for granted and look away once the ball is near their hands. When I use the lacrosse balls, the athlete is forced to focus more on the ball to make the catch.

A final note: you will notice differences in the breaks for some of the athletes once I give them the cue. Some are better at it than others. This is based on their level of experience. Some athletes are older or have been training with me for longer than others. A couple of the athletes were in their first session with me ever.

Enjoy the video, and as always, if you have any questions regarding the video, feel free to email me at cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com. Thank you for being a member.

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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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