HOW to Defend That: Speed Releases

Welcome Airway Defender

As a defensive back, your job is basically chasing wide receivers around the field all game long. Your job is making sure they don’t acquire the football and steal your victory.

This task gets especially tough when they are packed with physical gifts like size, quickness and speed. One of the best (or worst) ways we have seen wide receivers use their speed in recent years is through the use of speed releases.

A speed release is basically when the receiver, with little or no moves, takes off in a direction and turns the route into a sprint. Typically, they do this on outside release fade routes. Fade routes come in different shapes nowadays. This could be a traditional fade (also known as a go route) where they take off down the field and the QB launches it as far as he can so they can run under it. There is also the back shoulder fade where the QB throws the ball to the receiver’s outside shoulder while you are covering him. The receiver then opens towards the sidelines to catch the pass. Finally, there is the fade stop. This is when the receivers takes off, sells the go route and then suddenly stops for what ends up being a hitch.

All of these routes can be a problem when they are paired with a speed release if you don’t know how to handle it. The basic way to win vs. this receiver’s tactic is to a) widen the release and b) get over the top of the route.

Widening the release gives the QB and WR less room to work with on the throw. Being over the top allows you to control the speed of the route and puts you in better position to work top down to defend it.

In my training sessions, I work a great drill called kick and get up. This drill helps DBs defend speed releases by working both their kick slide and their open.

Having a solid kick slide allows you to push the route inside or outside further than the receiver would like. Drilling the get up part, develops the DB’s skill in getting his hips open fast so he can stay over the top of the receiver to control the route.

Here is the drill + the effects of the drill in live game action with a pair of guys that I train, Tyson Campbell of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Isaac Yiadom who now plays for the San Francisco 49ers

As you can see, developing the kick slide and efficient open in this drill can be very effective vs these type of routes.

Consider this drill next time you are in a training session to give yourself an edge in press man.

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Did You Know?

Defensive backs often cover more ground than any other player on the field during a game. On average, they can run over 6,000 yards (around 3.4 miles) per game, tracking receivers, closing gaps, and providing support on tackles. This endurance and agility make conditioning a key part of DB training, helping them stay sharp and explosive on every play.

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Chad Wilson
Owner & Operator
All Eyes DB Camp