DB Drills | Deep Ball Location Drill

We’ve all been in the situation where we have done good work at the line of scrimmage and running down the field but when the ball came,  we misplayed it and the WR was able to make the catch despite good coverage.

This deep ball location drill helps defensive backs stay out of that situation. It’s a unique drill that I developed from my days of playing and coaching baseball.  One of the toughest things to do when you are playing in the outfield in baseball is judge a ball that has been hit right at you.  If you can develop the ability to judge those balls well then catching a ball that you see coming from the side is a whole lot easier.

With that in mind,  I perform this football drill by throwing the ball from behind the DB making it tougher for him to judge it.  Repeating this drill over and over gets the defender better at judging the ball coming from directly behind him (a situation that almost never happens).  Now when the ball is thrown deep from the side of him,  which is the more common thing that will happen,  it becomes much easier to judge the ball.

Also incorporated into this drill is seeing the ball late as the defender can only look back for the ball when he hears me yell “ball”.  As defenders,  we must learn to judge a ball that is already in flight as opposed to always seeing the ball coming out of the hand of the person who threw it.  Nine times out of 10,  defensive backs are turning around to defend a ball that is already in the air.

Give this drill a try when you are out with friends or coaches,  make this a routine part of your ball drills with your defensive backs and watch their ability to make plays on the deep ball rise.

Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions or feedback on this drill or my member’s area.  Send email to: cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com

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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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