DB Drill Series: Weave N Stay Square

The Weave and Stay Square drill is one of our staple drills in training. As some defensive back coaches will call it,  an every day drill.

Being able to weave in your back pedal is essential for both safeties and cornerbacks. Being able to move with the stem of a wide receiver, while staying square in your back pedal is a critical skill to have. For safeties it allows you to move from one part of the deep area of the field to the other without closing off your shoulder. This makes it difficult for the quarterback to attack behind you.

The essentials in this drill are that you keep your weight over your toes as you would in a normal backpedal. Adding to that, you must keep a rigid upper body. Don’t allow your shoulders to lean in the direction that you’re going in. That makes it difficult for you to change direction if and when you need to.  Also, it is important for you to treat the weave in terms of your foot work as you would your backpedal.  A weave is not a shuffle. It is indeed a backpedal so the foot work remains the same. Do not shuffle your feet. It is not a plant and replace situation. Also, you are not to cross your feet over in this drill. Like the back pedal,  you put your feet behind you and do not cross them. If you are crossing your feet over, you are doing it wrong.

Finally, to be most effective in your weave, you should take quick tiny steps. Like the back pedal,  the speed in your weave will come from your feet repeatedly hitting the ground. Do not take long steps or plant outside of your circle. Tiny steps are required as this allows you to have a foot always ready to strike and change direction when you need to.

If you have any questions about the Weave and Station Square Drill, feel free to contact me via email. cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com 

Note:  I did not give an explanation on this drill in the video.  I merely showed the drill.  Rely on the text above for your description of the drill

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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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