The Development of a Defensive Back Part III

In Part III of the development of a defensive back,  we are pulling the cake out of the oven.  Time to see the fruits of our right moves and our labor.  Your young defensive back is entering into puberty and this is where we literally start separating the young men from the little boys.  Here are the moves to make from ages 13-15.

Study the X’s and O’s

If you are lucky,  your young ball player has taken a natural liking to this part of the game and has already starting doing this.  If he hasn’t up to this point,  don’t panic.  Some dads and coaches force this part of it on kids prior to this age and you shouldn’t.  Kids pre 13 are all about having fun.  There are enough things forced upon them during those stages of their life that if you force this part of the game on them,  they may resent it forever.  Now that we have reached age 13 and getting ready to step into high school,  it’s time to move into really understanding the game.

If you did this the correct way,  you encouraged them to just watch games for enjoyment.  Through osmosis they have noticed how certain things work in the game.  Now,  you encourage them to dig deeper.  What are the different route combinations?  What is the route tree?  What are the quarterback’s reads?  What do wide receiver splits mean?  Start building up their knowledge in these areas.  This will slow the game down for them once they start playing varsity football.  It will give them the power of anticipation.  Show them the benefits of knowing what’s coming over having to react to everything.

Get Work with a Trainer

I am against youngsters being with trainers before age 13.  Now that they have reached that point,  consider getting them work with a position trainer when you can.  If you are a coach that is on your game and has the time to coach up all aspects or if your son is fortunate enough to have a coach like this then you can skip the trainer.  If his team is lacking in this area (as so many are) then try to find a local trainer to get him to as often as possible.  If there are none in your area then you are definitely doing the right thing by being signed up to this member’s area.  With or without a trainer,  a young DB is going to be wise beyond his years studying the material in here. Furthermore,  if you have the means,  try getting your young DB to a trainer out of state for a few sessions just so he can pick up some useful tips.

Stress Academic Achievement

Hopefully your young man is curious by nature and takes school seriously.  If he really is not,  this is likely your last chance to get that message across.  Once a kid enters the next stage after this,  their academic approach is typically set.  Teach your youngster the importance of a strong GPA. Encourage him to put in the study time each day and the advantages of just turning in assignments on time.  Entering high school with the proper mindset will allow him to build up a strong GPA in those first two years.  Major distractions are going to start at age 14 and 15.  We know what they are.  They some times wear pony tails and can wreck their brains with a simple smile.  Not to mention that recruiting could start entering into their lives.  There are a healthy amount of distractions in that process as well.  In addition,  a student athlete’s schedule once they enter high school can be hectic.  If academics is not important to them then they will struggle.  Poor grades will curtail their recruitment.

Put Him in the Right Environment

One of the more important things you will do with a young DB is get him in the right environment.  Get him around coaches that teach the right things both on and off the field.  Athletes’ careers end as quickly for what they do off the field as it does for what they don’t do on the field.  His teammates and classmates should be about advancing in life.  As I said in the previous paragraph,  distractions are plenty in these adolescent years.  If your young DB is spending the majority of his time around those who are in the car to nowhere,  he will likely meet them at that destination.  Know the people he is spending his time around.  A girlfriend that is hell bent on taking his time away from his future is likely going to be a problem.  Find the most diplomatic way for him to see the danger in that.  As much as you can,  get him around people that are going places.  This include having him talk to adults that can give him a solid message.  Your youngster doesn’t always want to hear it from you.  Remember how annoying your mom and dad’s voice was at this age.

Defer to the Coach

I saved the hardest for last.  Now that you have done what you need to do to put your young man In the right environment,  let those people do their work. This is the biggest struggle for fathers and or youth coaches.  I understand that you want to give your youngster the edge and so you try to be the coach when he already has one.  The edge you think you are giving him is actually a disadvantage.  I have coached young men who have been at total war with themselves in their head during my practices.  They are stuck between pleasing their dad and doing what I say.  I am not going to even get into how wrong their dad’s advice has been at times.  This totally stunts the young player’s development.  It can often lead to him landing on the bench.  Then there’s the transferring and all the other negative aspects that follow.  Put your young tike around solid coaching and then let them do their job.  You don’t get up under the sink with your wrench when the plumber comes over do you?

Admittedly,  this is the hardest stage in the development.  It’s the beginning stages of letting him go.  As much as you don’t want to let go of the back of that bike,  you have to.  He may wobble a little bit.  He may even run into a parked car or two but the only way for him to learn how to balance on that seat and keep the wheel straight is for you to let go.  I coached my two sons in high school.  As much as I was involved in their football lives growing up,  I found myself having to let other members of the staff tell them what to do.  It is important that they get another voice or they will struggle with getting coached.  In the next and final Part IV,  we will talk about ages 16-18.

• 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)

• 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
• When it Comes to Playing DB…. Smooth is Fast - February 18, 2026