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Photo by Jeff Gross Getty Images |
One of the defensive backs that is lined up on the side of the run must quickly come up and turn the ball carrier back to the center of the field. This type of maneuver is called run force, and it is one of the hardest jobs a defensive back has. The difficulty is caused by the size of the blockers, usually offensive lineman, who are in front of the ball carrier.
Drill: Run Force
The defensive back that has the responsibility to force the run should focus on the tight end. If the tight end blocks the defensive player directly in front of him, the force man charges the line of scrimmage, aiming for a point two yards across the line and three yards outside the tight end.
The quarterback begins the drill by saying "Hit!" He turns and pitches the ball to the halfback. The tight end blocks the defensive player in front of him, showing the defensive back that it is a running play.
The defensive back who is the force man will charge to his point and attack the fullback with his inside shoulder and forearm. He should deliver as hard a blow as possible with his forearm to the shield the fullback is carrying. It is important for the defensive back to stay on his feet and to keep his outside arm free. Should the ball carrier attempt to run around him to the outside, he must be in position so he can turn and make the tackle or force the ball carrier out of bounds.
The next time the drill is run, the lead blocker should line up as a guard on the side of the run; the halfback should be in a split position, with the quarterback handing him the ball. This allows the force men to see the different locations and paths from which a blocker may attack. It also shows the defensive back the different paths the running back may take when trying to run to the outside.
"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Run Force
Once the defensive back determines that the play is a run to his side, he must charge across the line of scrimmage, quickly attacking the blocker before the ball carrier has the opportunity to get outside the linebackers and the defensive lineman and start up field.
The defensive back must charge to this point, for, if he does not cross the line of scrimmage, the back easily can turn up the field; if he comes up any wider, the ball carrier has a running lane between the force man and the next defensive player to the inside.
It must be remembered this is not a tackling drill. We are teaching the defensive back where to force and how to take on the lead blocker. After the ball carrier has run to his right a number of times, the drill should be reversed so that the defensive backs on the other side of the field have an opportunity to practice their force.
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Defending against the pass is the primary responsibility of defensive backs. But they also are called upon to help stop the running game. A defensive back who can play only pass defense and can't play the run is a serious handicap to his team. The need for this type of action by a defensive back usually arises when the offensive team attempts a wide running play.
The fullback is the lead blocker and should run in front of the ball carrier. In order to avoid injury, the fullback should carry a lightweight blocking shield in his right arm. Instead of actually blocking the defensive back, he should hit him with the shield.
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After the defensive backs have become accustomed to running the drill, the coach may call for a pass for the offense and have the tight end release up the field instead of blocking. Should the force man still come charging up when the tight end releases, there is a good possibility the defensive back is looking into the backfield and not concentrating on the tight end.
The coach calls out which one of the defensive backs he wants to force the run by calling "sky" for the safety and "cloud" for the cornerback. As in previous drills, defensive backs should play the offensive positions.
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