Chad Wilson
October 15, 2024
Sure, if you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you’ve seen me occasionally criticize referees for pass interference calls. No doubt, the game is changing, and what you are allowed to do as a DB in coverage is shrinking. However, some of you are racking up pass interference penalties, and it has to do with things you are and aren’t doing. Here are some of those things:
1. You Don’t Trust Your Technique
Most pass interference penalties start at the line of scrimmage. When a defensive back doesn’t trust his press technique, he will often make false moves at the line. Typically, this is either opening the gate or missing the jam at the line of scrimmage. When this happens, you are in chase mode. When you’re in chase mode, you are not relaxed and are more likely to make false moves. This often results in bumping into the receiver while the ball is in the air, face-guarding, etc.
My advice: Work on your technique consistently and make daily improvements. As you improve, so will your confidence, and you will find yourself in better position from the start.
2. You Are Scared of Getting Beat
I always say it matters what’s in your mind as you are covering a wide receiver. If fear is dominating your mind, your body will react to that. How will it react? By grabbing the receiver’s arms as you’re running down the field or tugging on his jersey the moment he makes a break. If you’re scared of getting beat, it will be impossible to make a play. Grabbing the arms or tugging on the jersey while the ball is in the air is an easy call for the referee to make.
My advice: Get rid of the fear. If your coach put you on the field, that means he thinks you can play. Whether he thinks so or not, you are out there, and your biggest weapon is your confidence. Hopefully, you’ve been working on your technique, you know the defense, and you’ve studied. Whether or not you have, play with confidence. Run with the receiver, don’t grab him. When he breaks, plant your foot in the ground and close the space using your feet and not your hands.
3. You Don’t Have Any Ball Skills
You simply haven’t practiced catching the ball enough, so you’re not confident in your ability to track a pass and catch it. Because of this, you rarely look for the ball. If you’re not looking for the ball and a collision occurs before the pass arrives, you can expect to see a flag on the ground. Many DBs think they can get by just watching the receiver’s face and trying to play his hands. This may work occasionally, but more often than not, it results in untimely contact and a flag.
My advice: Start spending more time catching the football. Take some time before or after practice to develop this skill. Be sure to work on tracking throws, getting into position, and catching the football. The more you do this, the less you’ll panic when the ball is in the air. As your confidence in catching the ball grows, the more you’ll want to look for it so you can make a play. If you don’t practice catching the football, why would your mind tell you to look for it in a game? Increase your time working on this skill, and watch how many plays you make on the ball.
Experience has taught me that these are the three major reasons why guys rack up pass interference penalties. Yes, it’s easier to get these penalties nowadays, but take the steps above to try and limit them.
I have a ton of details and tips on improving in these areas, which I’ve covered in my all-new All Eyes DB Camp Members Area. If you haven’t joined yet, I highly recommend you do. Click here to join the All Eyes DB Camp Members Area.
Chad Wilson is the owner of All Eyes DB Camp and author of "101 DB Tips". He played college football at the University of Miami and briefly in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. Over his 15 year high school football coaching career, he tutored over a dozen Division I defensive backs and as a trainer has worked with NFL All Pros, first round draft picks, college football All Americans and Top 10 ranked high school football prospects.
