Inside the Session: How to Play Off Man

Press, press, press, press, press everybody wants to press.  Sorry Cardi B for ripping you off there a lil bit but press coverage is what everyone wants to do but only the real ones know how to play off man and give their defensive coach some flexibility in calling coverages and disguises their moves to the offense.

This video is from one of my sessions with some NFL players this past summer (2020) in which we are going over the elements of playing off man.  The basic principles are being stressed and I am giving them simple clues on how to judge routes when playing off.  Many guys are scared to play off for a number of reasons.  First they are not comfortable with their footwork (shame on you get to work on it).  Second they don’t like giving a guy all that space (learn how to love it) and Third,  playing press is just more sexy (not really cuz like I said only the real ones know how to play off).

In the video you are going to hear me stressing alignment.  Versus normal splits by the wide receiver,  you should align at 7 yards off and 2 full men inside.  You do so to give yourself enough room to stay square in a pedal and also make the WR give away his route by having to use a stem. The ABSOLUTE worse thing you can do in off man is align head up.  You are giving the wide receiver all of the advantages.  I discuss why that is so in this video (see below) also.

Plenty for you to learn.  I hope you enjoy it and learn from it.  If you have any feedback or questions,  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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