3 Man Techniques All Safeties Should Master

Hey Defender of the Airways,

When most people think of man coverage, the cornerback immediately comes to mind. We’ve even named their territory “The Island.” But make no mistake—man coverage battles aren’t fought only on the edges.

In today's game, offensive coordinators are hunting for mismatches. After they figure out how to protect the "Queen" (the QB), they look for you. They want to force a safety to line up against a shifty slot receiver or one of these new "Alien" athletic tight ends. If you don't have the right tools, you aren't a defender—you're a target.

To survive in the secondary, you have to master these three techniques.

1. The Catch Technique (4–6 Yards Off)

The catch technique requires you to hold your ground at the snap instead of bailing backward. The goal is to let the receiver eat up the cushion, strike him to move him off his line, and then attach to his hip.

Staring down a fast receiver sprinting straight at your face while you remain still is intimidating. It takes a high level of eye discipline and stone-cold confidence. If you want to see the frame-by-frame breakdown of how to keep your feet quiet during this process, I dive deep into this in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area.

• Best Fit: Cover 1 (where you have help).

• The Trap: Avoid this in Cover 0 unless you are in the red zone; it’s too risky without a deep safety behind you.

2. The Scooch Technique (4–8 Yards Off)

If you struggle with the stillness of the catch technique, "scooching" is your go-to. This involves giving up a little ground at the snap while staying completely square. You are essentially inviting the receiver into your space so you can alter his route.

One key detail: staying square does not mean opening your hips and giving a free run. If you open the gate, you lose. For a full tutorial on maintaining your leverage while scooching, check out the videos in the Member's Area.

• Best Fit: Cover 0. It allows you to play semi-aggressive even in an aggressive call.

• The Trap: Use caution in Cover 4. If you haven't mastered the footwork, the receiver has too much space to reach max speed.

3. The Pedal Technique (Under 8 Yards Off)

Some call this "old school," but the backpedal is a core skill for a reason. Using your pedal and weave allows you to maintain an over-the-top relationship while staying square. It gives you the ability to break in any direction with total control.

I’ve spent years refining the pedal to match modern, high-speed offenses. In my book, 101 DB Tips, I break down the specific body positioning and weight distribution you need so your pedal doesn't turn into a "lumbering" back-step.

• Best Fit: Cover 4 or Cover 0. Buying time for the rush prevents giving up the deep ball.

• The Trap: Not ideal for Cover 1. Since you already have help over the top, pedaling just gives the receiver extra room to breathe.

Conclusion: Stay Square, Stay Disciplined

Whether you catch, scooch, or pedal, the secret is discipline. Don’t open your hips and forfeit your leverage. Stay square, apply the technique that fits the coverage, and refine it through consistent reps.

If you want to stop being the "mismatch" the offense is looking for, you have to put in the work in the film room and on the field.

See you in the Lab,

Coach Wilson 
All Eyes DB Camp

You Might Find Interesting

• Doing this Pre-Snap Turns into Big Plays for DBs (YouTube)
• This Technique is So Important Yet Most DBs Don’t Do It

Have questions or topics you’d like me to cover? Reply to this email or connect with me on social media—I’d love to hear from you!

Stay sharp, keep grinding, and always keep your eyes on the ball.

Chad Wilson
Founder, All Eyes DB Camp
@alleyesdbcamp on Instagram