(New Members) DB Drills | Weave – Plant – Drive

One of my favorite things to do in my sessions is use the 5 cones.  The 5 cones are 4 cones set in a box 6 yards apart with the 5th cone placed in the middle of the box.  I can incorporate many drills involving relevant DB actions with the 5 cone set up.

In the short clip in this article we will take a look at a couple of drills I use to sharpen up some essential skills that a defensive back needs.

In the first clip on this video:

What WE are doing:  We are working our weave backpedal.  Using quick feet by keeping our heels low we slightly crossover our feet by pushing harder off of our opposite leg from the direction we are going to.  So if you are wishing to push left,  you push harder off of the ground with your right foot during your pedal.  This pushes you harder in the opposite direction.  Next we are working on our reaction to the QB along with our plant.  While the athlete is watching me he is waiting to see me either move the ball or my shoulder (pre-determined before the drill) and reacts off of that movement. This works the reaction time and also the all important plant which must take only two steps.  The DB plants one foot and replaces it with the other which he then pushes off of to go forward.  The last thing worked in the drill is the drive.  Most DBs will stare at the QB out of his break.  In this video,  you will notice the DB throwing his eyes to the WR for a step or two to make sure he is not executing a double move before looking back for the thrown ball.  What he is also doing is staying low out of his break and driving hard towards the WR like he is coming out of the blocks in track.

Why WE are doing it:  We are working the weave because backpedaling is not always done in a straight line.  Some times WRs stem us inside or out.  When that occurs,  not having an adequate weave will result in the DB turning his hips too fast to run.  This gives the WR access to your blindspot for him to attack and spin you around.  You want to stay square as long as possible. We are working the plant and drive because these things are essential to playing defensive back.  You have to be able to read,  react and break on a thrown football as a defensive back.

When do WE use it:  The skills learned in these drills are applied when cornerbacks are playing off in either man or zone.  They are also used by safeties trying to cover in the deep middle or off of the hash.  Being able to weave from one area to the other allows you to stay square and break equally as fast to the right or left when necessary.  Safeties also need to be good at planting,  driving and coming down hill for a variety of reasons like breaking on routes and filling the alley on run plays quickly.

In the 2nd Clip of the video

What We are Doing:  Similar to the first drill we are working our weave, our plant and are drive.  What is different in this drill is we are working our plant,  hip flip and drive at the end.

Why WE are Doing It:  Sometimes WRs give us a double move.  So the final part of the 2nd drill on this video is working that.  When a WR stops and goes or changes course,  we need to be able to plant, flip our hips upfield and accelerate.

When Do WE Use It:  When playing off of a WR,  we will break on a route that is short and occurring underneath us.  Sometimes the WR will redirect upfield or in a different direction and we need to be highly skilled at changing direction to protect ourselves from disaster in those situations.

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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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