How to Defend That: Red Zone Fade

Red zone situations can get very intense. When the ball gets near the goal line, everyone’s awareness is up and you don’t want to be the guy that gives up the TD.

However, the offense keeps cashing in on you with the fade to their go to guy in the red zone. How can you stand up to this route and stop being the target that is money for the offense? Here a few good tips:

1. Study film to learn the splits

   You don’t just want to be out there guessing. Have a decent idea about when this route might be coming. Through film study, you should be able to determine what split the WR takes when this route is in play. Anticipation helps you choose the proper technique

2. Know Where Your Help Is

   If you have a safety or LB helping you in the seam / curl window consider aligning outside to make the WR have to fight through your leverage to get to the fade. If it’s an all out blitz then align inside but be prepared to make contact early and to look early.

3. Choose Your Technique

   Are you going to play hard press and get hands on right away (recommended) or will you soft press to catch the route a couple of yards deep to reset the WR? Go to the line with a plan because the WR surely has one.

4. Read Body Language

   As the WR releases outside, read his body language. Is he opening his shoulder and looking back right away? Get ready to defend back shoulder. Is he digging to get beyond you? Get ready to defend the back pylon throw.

5. Be Strong

   Whether playing soft or hard press, be physical. At some point the WR should be touched. When you do be strong with the contact (within the rules). As the ball approaches, get into his body and try to look for the ball. If you are beat and are playing his hands, fight like hell through the hands when the ball arrives and fight for the ball all the way to the ground. The WR must survive the ground for it to be ruled a catch.

Following these steps will undoubtedly help you against the fade in the red zone. Of course, practice makes perfect. I have posted a drill to work on fade passes in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area. If you aren’t a member, you should come join the 100’s of others who are in there upping their game with a wide range of tips, drills, techniques, strategies and more

What NFL Teams Have the Most INTs in 2024

These are the top six secondaries in terms of INTs so far in the 2024 NFL season. If you are looking for a player or group of players to study, start with these teams who are mostly playing pretty good defense.

Have a Powerful day and share our newsletter with your friends

Chad Wilson
All Eyes DB Camp
“Play Defense”