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The Most Important Skills for Defensive Backs — And How Parents Can Help Build Them
As a parent of a young defensive back, you don’t need to know every coverage call or technique term to be a valuable part of your child’s football journey. In fact, your support off the field can make just as much of an impact as any coach or trainer. If your child...
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How to Use Coverage Tags to Teach and Execute Match Coverage More Effectively
Match coverage is a powerful blend of man and zone principles that allows defenses to adapt to modern offensive route combinations. But to make it work, your defenders must master two key fundamentals: Read More

Pattern Matching 101: How to Simplify Rules for Young DBs
One of the biggest barriers to running match coverage effectively at the high school level is overcomplication. Coaches install pattern match principles that sound good in theory but fall apart on Friday nights because the DBs are swimming in rules, unsure of what to do post-s...
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Zone Eyes vs. Man Eyes: A DB’s Guide to Visual Discipline
One of the biggest challenges for defensive backs at every level is understanding where to put their eyes — and keeping them disciplined when the action starts. Whether you’re playing press-man, off-man, or zone coverage, the difference between making a play and ge...
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Reading Route Triangles in Match Zone Coverage
Unlocking Smarter DB Play Through Route Recognition In today’s pass-heavy game, defensive backs are no longer just covering grass — they’re processing route combinations, reading threats, and making real-time decisions. One of the most important tools a DB ca...
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Dead at the Start: Correct These 4 Press Man Mistakes
If you do or watch something long enough, you get really good at predicting the future. Needless to say, I’ve been playing, coaching, and training football for quite some time. The majority of that time has been spent on the defensive side of the ball, primarily teaching...
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Teaching Leverage and Alignment Across Multiple Coverages: A Blueprint for DB Coaches
One of the most overlooked, yet critical, components of elite defensive back play is understanding and executing proper Read More

Top 5 Drills Every Safety Should Be Doing Weekly
The safety position is one of the most demanding on the field. You’re expected to tackle like a linebacker, cover like a corner, and think like a quarterback. That’s why your weekly training needs to sharpen every tool in your toolbox — speed, awareness, reac...
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How Safeties Can Disguise Coverage Without Getting Caught Out of Position
Disguising coverage is a valuable tool — but if you’re not careful, it can hurt more than help. Safeties need to walk a fine line between deception and discipline. Let’s break down how to disguise your coverage — without getting caught out of position. ...
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