How Not To Get Beat When Using Bail Technique

Bail, bail, bail.  We have seen it being used more and more at all levels of football.  Defensive coaches have fallen in love with bail technique and for good reason.

Bail technique allows the defense to give the illusion of press man coverage to encourage the deep throw only to have the defensive back retreat to that deep area before the snap waiting for it.  When it was first deployed as a strategy by defenses,  it had a pretty high success rate.  However,  like with all things in the game of football,  it is studied and remedies are formed to deal with it.  Once those remedies are found,  adjustments need to be made.

At first,  it didn’t really matter how you bailed because it was brand new to the offenses.  They wide receivers would just run right into trouble and the quarterbacks would either throw right into it or hold the ball too long and get sacked.

Now,  offenses have gotten a little wiser.  The wide receivers have found ways to attack the bail technique and quarterbacks have come up with ways to fit the throws and find the routes to defeat it.  With that in mind,  adjustments need to be made.  Too many defensive backs now are getting into trouble bailing the old way and this post addresses that.

In the first video listed below,  you will see the old and wrong way to bail.  In the video,  I will tell you and show you why the way you are watching is a problem for you as a cornerback.  Turning right where you are a running out gives the wide receiver too many ways to attack you.

The second video will show you the proper way to bail so that you can effectively eliminate many of the routes that teams are using to beat bail technique.  It gives cornerbacks an opportunity to get to their area while not losing sight of both the wide receiver and the quarterback.

Start using this technique in bail and you will find yourself being a lot safer place when it comes to defending the new ways that offenses have tried to attack the coverage.  As always,  if you have any feedback or questions,  send them to cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com –  Thank you for being a member.

• Author
• Recent Posts

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.

Latest posts by alleyesdbcamp (see all)

• The Alien Era: How Defensive Backs Can Win vs Athletic Tight Ends - March 4, 2026
• These 4 Drills Will Drastically Improve Your Off Man Coverage - February 25, 2026
• How Elite DBs Read Route Concepts Before the Snap - February 25, 2026