Stop getting "eaten up" in Off-Man

Hey Defender of the Airways,

When you’re playing defensive back in an off-man or zone situation, there will be times when the wide receiver eats up your cushion faster than expected. When this occurs, you must react instantly to prevent disaster.

In this situation, "reacting quickly" means executing an explosive turn that allows you to accelerate, match the receiver’s speed, and stay in phase. Here is exactly how you do that.

The Key: Planting the Opposite Foot

The power in your turns and changes of direction comes from how well you can drive your foot into the ground under or near your center of gravity.

When opening your hips, planting your opposite foot with force is the key. For instance, if you are opening to the right, planting hard on the ball of your left foot—ideally directly under your hips—will swing your hips open instantly. This puts you in a much better position to accelerate through the turn.

By driving that opposite foot into the dirt, you allow your hips to whip away from that foot with maximum force.

The Mistake to Avoid: The "Locked Hip"

Many defensive backs make the mistake of dropping their near foot into the ground before they turn. This momentarily locks the hips.

Once the near foot is planted, you’ve committed yourself to an extra step just to finish the turn. You are essentially forced to take a "stutter" step to unlock your hips. Against an elite wide receiver, that extra step is all the separation they need to get behind you and stack you.

The Fix

Cut down on the number of steps by driving the opposite foot into the ground immediately. This allows you to stay on top of the route or, at the very least, stay hip-to-hip as the receiver tries to accelerate past you.

In your next training session, try this: Execute your turns by focusing entirely on that opposite foot drive. You’ll notice how much faster you "spin" and how much more explosive your first step is out of the transition.

Thanks for Reading!
I hope this issue gave you valuable insights to improve your defensive back game. Remember, success on the field starts with mastering the fundamentals and staying committed to your craft.

If you’re ready to take your skills to the next level, don’t miss out on these resources:

• Join the All Eyes DB Camp Community: Get exclusive tips, drills, and support from DBs and coaches just like you. Join Now →

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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