Drill Explained: Pizza Cut Drill

Being able to move in zone coverages is definitely a plus for you when you’re playing defensive back or linebacker. The efficiency in your movement allows you to arrive on the scene at the right time to make a play on the ball.  To be good at this obviously you’re going to have to train it.  The pizza cut drill is excellent to teach guys movement in zone coverage. 

The Pizza Cut Drill is a series of 45° movements, something that is common in the game when you are making zone drops. One of the biggest problems for athletes when they are executing these type of movements is not having control of their upper body. Often times movement at 45° angles leads to a player leaning his upper body excessively in the wrong direction and it causes problems when they have to change direction. The pizza cut drill trains this proper movement and makes you more efficient in your zone drops and redirection.

In the video below, I show and explain to you how this drill works and some of the details of it that helps you perform better not only in this drill but in the game when the situation arises.  It’s a simple drill that can be run when you have a partner but also when you’re alone at the park training your skills.  Listen to the little details that I add to it and work on those as you work the drill. The most important factor in this though is controlling the upper body Keeping the front shoulder down so that you don’t lean too much in the direction in which you’re running. This allows you to change direction with efficiency and be where you’re supposed to be when the ball arrives.

As always if you have questions on this drill or anything else, feel free to reach out to me via email 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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