3 Things You Need to Win In Press Man Coverage

3 Things You Need to Win in Press Man Coverage

By: Chad Wilson – owner – All Eyes DB Camp

The question was simple and to the point.  “We don’t work on press man coverage much,  do you have any tips on how I should play it?”

When you’ve been doing something for so long,  you tend to forget that there are people just starting what you are doing everyday.  With that,  I was forced to realize that when you first set out on a journey,  you first need a map.  I am no Waze app but I have traveled quite a few roads in playing defensive back.  So within this quick article I will trying to lay out a bit of a road for you if you are brand new to the art of press man coverage.

A wide receiver that is faced with press man coverage has the task of attacking three things that the DB has.  First are his eyes,  second are his feet and third are his hands.  So lets protect those three things by making sure they are doing what they are supposed to do

Eyes

At the line of scrimmage,  a DB in press man coverage should have his eyes on the hip of the WR.  Notice I said hip and not “hips” plural.  To have the utmost concentration,  the defensive back should reduce his focus with his eyes to the smallest of areas.  So you should not be looking at both the left and right hip of the WR but instead just one of them.  If you are playing leverage (either inside or outside) of the WR,  then your focus should be on the hip nearest to your leverage.  If you are playing inside leverage then focus your eyes should be on the inside hip of the WR and vice versa.  The WR can not attack your inside leverage with his outside hip without first doing so with his inside hip so why focus on both?  Keep that inside hip to your outside and you will maintain your leverage.

Next,  keep your eyes down after the snap.  The biggest mistake that press man DBs make is allowing their eyes to rise off of the first move by the WR.  Now you are looking at the face or shoulders of the WR and that’s where all the lies are told.  WRs will shake their shoulders and move their head quickly to get your off balance and leave you lost at the line of scrimmage. Keep your eyes low for the for the first 10-15 yards of the route or until you feel the ball may be coming to the WR.  (Note: do not look for ball unless you are close enough to touch the WR).

Finally,  as you travel down the field with the WR, if he makes a break,  drive to him with your eyes on his hips and then hands until you are close enough to touch him.  At that point,  you make look for the ball to make a play on it.

Feet

There is an ongoing debate about how your feet should be at the line of scrimmage. Some coaches will say you need to be on your toes.  A smaller amount will say you need to be flat footed.  I’m in the latter group.  A DB on his toes is off balanced.  A DB with his feet in the ground is ready to exert power. If your technique is to be aggressive at the line of scrimmage then you need to have your feet firmly planted in the ground to strike.  If your technique is to pedal out and give ground at the snap to mirror the release of the WR then you need to be on the balls of your feet to do so.

Whether or not you attack at the line or pedal out will depend on the technique your coach prefers or how you were trained.  Being skilled at both is probably best.  Either way,  your job as a press corner is to widen the WR on his release and then be over the top of his route as he proceeds down the field.  In some coverages like 2-man you would then be required to play underneath the WR.

Your feet should be under control at all times and they should remain underneath your hips no matter what technique you are using.  Widening your feet drastically outside of your hips is not ideal as it makes it difficult for you to gather up and run once the WR makes his commitment up the field.  Practice taking tiny steps at the line of scrimmage and staying under your hips.

Hands

The hands in press coverage are the icing on the cake.  Use them once you have correctly placed your eyes and used your feet.  Many young and inexperienced DBs want to let their hands do all the work.  This leads to poor footwork, a lot of grabbing and a ton of penalties.

Being strong with your hands but only after your correctly focused eyes have triggered your feet to move your body into the proper position vs. the WR.  If the wide receiver is attacking your space then you need to be aggressive with your hands.

A WR attacking you within your frame should get a hard two hand jam in an effort to control him. However,  don’t lunge.  Shoot your hands from a solid bent knee position where you are under control and well balanced.  A WR moving outside of your frame and is close enough should receive a hard off hand punch as you slide with your feet at a 45 degree angle.  Be weary of leaving your hand on the WR for too long as they may be able to use your arm to throw you off balance,  pull you through and then accelerate ahead and cut off your path downfield (also known as stacking you).

There are some more advanced components to playing press man coverage.  However,  this is a great start on the basics.  Follow these guidelines and you have a solid chance of being in position when the ball comes to your man.  For a demonstration of a series of solid press man coverage drills,  check out our Press Man Drill Series videos Volumes 1, 2 and 3 located in our member’s are.

For questions and or feedback on this article or press man coverage,  send email to cwilson@alleyesdbcamp.com

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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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