One Man Bracket: What it Takes to Get There, Keep Your Leverage, Drill Work

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DB Yoda….

I was recently asked what things I did with my two sons, outside of the obvious, to help them become NFL cornerbacks.

First off, you have to have the talent to get there. Assuming that is present—and the one to thank for that is God—there were some deliberate things done to help them in life that ended up being a major plus for getting them to the National Football League.

Between my wife and me, we fostered an environment of discipline and consistency. We did not set out on a journey for them to be professional football players. We did, however, set out on a journey for them to be successful in life, and we knew that if that was going to happen, it would require those two key principles.

Those principles were instituted before they ever stepped on a ball field and were emphasized as much off the field as they were on it. Getting up on time, cleaning your room, washing your clothes, and setting aside time for studies were just a handful of things that were part of the process.

The first “sport” they took part in was Taekwondo, because martial arts lays the groundwork for discipline. Then came participation in baseball, football, track, basketball, and more.

I don’t know what stage of development you find yourself in, but wherever that is, discipline needs to be implemented, enhanced, and adhered to. If you are going to reach your goals, routines must be set and routines must not be broken.

Set aside time for training and set aside time for studying. Logging those hours on a consistent basis will breed the results that you so desperately want to see.

Taking the Next Step in Your Routine

If you are ready to add "Studying the Game" to your daily routine, I’ve made it easy for you to start. Whether you are a player, coach, or parent, these resources provide the blueprint for the discipline I’m talking about:

• The Foundation: Grab my book 101 DB Tips to master the essential knowledge every elite defender needs. Get the Book Here.

• The Lab: Join the All Eyes DB Camp Members Area for a structured list of the best drills for defensive backs, complete with video and explanation. Click here for more info.

You Didn’t Know this But…..

The "No-Fly Zone" of Darrelle Revis (2009)

In 2009, Darrelle Revis had arguably the greatest individual season for a cornerback in NFL history.

While most fans look at interceptions, the real "superpower" for a DB is erasing an opponent's #1 target. Look at what "Revis Island" did to these Hall of Fame-caliber receivers in a single season:

Revis knew the opponent's stems, he mastered his footwork, and he never got "bored with the basics." He forced some of the best athletes in human history to become non-factors for 60 minutes.

Coach's Note: If you want to play like this, you have to study like this. You can't reach "Island" status just by being fast. You reach it by having a higher football IQ than the man lining up across from you.

Click here to start building your Football IQ in the Members Area

Ask Chad

Q: What is a “Cloud Corner”?

A cloud corner is the cornerback in a Cover 2/Trap concept who plays the flat with eyes inside, ready to reroute #1 and rob quick game (hitch, out, bubble, now screen). Think “umbrella over the flat”—the safety is deep over the top, and the corner sits shallow to trigger on throws.

Key traits

• Alignment: ~5 yards, outside leverage on #1 (or press-bail look).

• Eyes: Inside through #2 to QB—read 3-step and screen.

• Hands: Hard jam or reroute #1 to protect the safety’s half.

• Responsibility: Flat to the sideline; sink under corner/comeback if #2 is vertical.

What Are We Talking About

Some of the latest topics in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area you might be interested in.

•Find the Fade - Tyson Campbell vs 49ers (Drill Included) - Playmaker Space
•Poor Eyes & Technique Makes for Big Plays - Lions vs Rams - Playmaker Space
•DB Teach Tape - Post Safety by Josh Jones
•Inside the Session - Kai Starks (son of former NFL CB Duane Starks)
•Daily DB Workouts - Starter’s Space

Hella Technique

Keep Your Leverage - Track the Football

So many defensive backs don’t use their help in coverage. Here Kwame Lassiter of the Houston Texans knows he has a post safety and rather than chase the routes inside, he holds his outside leverage, tracks the football and grabs an INT off of an elite QB.

I break down this clip and include a great ball tracking drill to help make plays like this in a recent post in the All Eyes DB Camp Member’s Area.

Hey, Answer this for Me..

Since You Like Watching Stuff

Oh That’ll. Fix it

Synchro-Breaks are designed to improve the mechanics of your hip flips and directional breaks but most of all they level up your reaction skills which is a major key in coverage for defensive backs. Here I am working these with NFL players Isaiah Simmons and Azizi Hearn.

I Can’t Call It

What is your major issue as a defensive back or coach right now?

Drop me a line and let’s talk about it. [email protected]