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, reaction, and technique.

Whether you’re a high school safety trying to earn a scholarship or a DB coach developing your unit, here are 5 drills every safety should be doing weekly to stay ready on game day.

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1. Pedal & Break Transitions

Purpose: Improves backpedal control and change of direction.

Drill:
Start in a DB stance, backpedal 5–7 yards on command, then break 45° left or right on cue. Repeat from various alignments.

Coaching Points:

• Stay low in your pedal

• Keep eyes forward, chest over knees

• Explode out of your break with 2 quick steps

Why it matters: Safeties are constantly reading and reacting. Crisp transitions help you close space in zone or attack underneath throws.

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2. W-Drill (Weave and Plant)

Purpose: Builds lateral movement and hip flexibility.

Drill:
Set 5 cones in a zig-zag/W pattern. Pedal to each cone, plant and weave toward the next cone.

Coaching Points:

• Maintain cushion and control

• Open hips without losing leverage

• Head stays level — no false steps

Why it matters: Great for pattern matching and covering space while staying square to the line of scrimmage.

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3. Break Step / T-Step Ball Reaction Drill

Purpose: Trains your break step and reaction to passes.

Drill:
Start in a backpedal. On coach’s signal or ball release, plant your outside foot in a T-step and drive to break on the ball.

Coaching Points:

• Bicycle Step or Make the “T” — toe perpendicular to heel

• Explode off the plant foot

• Attack the point of the catch

Why it matters: Elite safeties anticipate and arrive with violence. Clean T-steps put you in position to do both.

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4. Open & Run with Route Recognition

Purpose: Simulates real route concepts and closing angles.

Drill:
Coach or receiver runs a route tree. Safety starts flat-footed or backpedaling, then opens and runs based on stem.

Coaching Points:

• Recognize route types: post, corner, seam

• Use proper leverage and angles

• Don’t overcommit — stay on top

Why it matters: This mimics game action. Knowing how to turn and stay in-phase with receivers is essential to making plays deep.

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5. Angle Tackling Drill

Purpose: Prepares you to make open-field tackles from safety depth.

Drill:
Set up a ball carrier and safety 10–12 yards apart at an angle. Ball carrier sprints toward a cone while safety tracks and fits up.

Coaching Points:

• Close space under control

• Keep inside leverage

• Strike through the ball carrier with hips and eyes up

Why it matters: Safeties often have to save touchdowns. Practicing pursuit angles and wrap-up technique is a must.

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Final Thoughts

Drills don’t make great safeties — intentional work on the right drills does.

Whether you’re a free or strong safety, focusing on these five every week will raise your game:

1. Pedal & Break

2. W-Drill

3. Break Step / T-Step & Ball Reaction

4. Open & Run

5. Angle Tackling

Want more tips like this? Grab your copy of 101 DB Tips — a complete guide to mastering defensive back play. Or better yet, join our DB community at members.alleyesdbcamp.com where we break down drills, film, and technique every week.