Paying Attention to This One Thing in Press Can Increase Your Results Dramatically

Playing defensive back involves a lot of small details that must get your attention if you are going to succeed.  No where is this more true than in press man.

The margin for error is so slim when playing press man that a wrong move here or there could result in a big play.  One of the big little things in press that doesn’t get talked about enough is your depth.  How far or close you line up to a receiver matters.  It’s not a detail that can be overlooked and it must be consistent.  A lot of defensive backs line up wherever when they are in press.  However,  that is not a formula for success.

Like a batter in baseball that must line up in a specific place in the batter’s box or a basketball player that has to get to his mark for a shot,  press man defensive backs must consistently line up at the proper depth.  Being too close to the wide receiver can have dire consequences.  Lining up at the improper depth will often lead to technique breakdowns.  Once that receiver makes his move,  your technique will fall apart fast.  This can be anything from jump splitting your feet,  opening the gate or falling back on your heels.

IN the video below,  I break down a segment from one of my high school sessions to demonstrate how important the proper depth is when playing press.  I hope you enjoy it and learn from it.  As always,  if you have any questions,  feel free to reach out to me via email at: 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