|
|
|
Photo by Rick Stewart Getty Images |
The point where the ball actually will be caught is called the interception point, and it is here that the defensive back must run if he is to break up or intercept the pass. When conducting the following pass-recognition drills, the receiver will run short patters, next medium patterns, and finally deep patterns. To give the defensive players a true idea of where to go, it is advisable to put out cones or chalk marks at the interception points. But as the drill is repeated, the cones should be removed, forcing the defender to judge the distance on his own.
In running this drill, make sure each player has an opportunity to see all the patterns that are thrown in the short area, to see how the interception point changes with the direction of the pattern (toward or away from the ball), and to calculate the length of time the pass must be in the air. The defensive players must stay in the habit of calling out each pattern as they recognize it, and then breaking toward the interception point. It also should be pointed out to the defensive backs that at the start of each play, they will be looking at the quarterback (determining run or pass), and they often will see the quarterback take two steps, rise up, and prepare to throw the short patterns. This movement by the quarterback should alert the defensive player to focus quickly on the receiver and be prepared to break in the direction of the pattern being run.
As the distance a receiver is running from the line of scrimmage lengthens, the more time he has to get square with the defensive back. Because of this, the defensive back must concentrate on staying on one shoulder or the other of the receiver, physically taking away one direction and staying prepared to break in the other.
Drill: Deep-Area Patten Reaction
By understanding this, the defensive back can adjust his path so he can go directly to the interception point and not have to chase the receiver up the field. This understanding is especially true when covering a double-move pattern, such as a "corner" or a "comeback" pass. In all probability, the defensive back will have left his backpedal and be running toward the "post" or the "up" patterns when he recognizes the actual pattern being run by the receiver. In the case of a "corner" pattern, the defensive back must know that he has time to turn his back to the receiver wheel around while keeping his momentum, locate the receiver, and still break up the pass.
For a personalized autographed copy of "Play Football the NFL Way," plus information on Coach Bass Sport Maps--the new Official NFL Licensed Football Guides to watching, enjoying and understanding all the action on the field, for all fans--please visit www.CoachBass.com.
Copyright © Thomas L. Bass 2006. All rights reserved.
There are three points about pattern reaction that need constant emphasis:
- The defensive player should concentrate on the distance the receiver is running (short, medium, deep) and on the patterns that can be run in each specific area.
- The defensive player must understand that the instant he recognizes the pattern, called the recognition point, he leaves his backpedal, rolling over the proper foot.
- The defender must concentrate on the fact that the receiver will not catch the ball at the recognition point, but rather about 6 yards from the recognition point for inside patters coming toward the ball and about 10 yards from the recognition point for patterns going away from the ball.
Drill: Medium-Area Pattern Reaction
Because of the length of the deep patterns run by the tight end and wide receivers, the interception point is farther away from the recognition point, and the time the defensive back has to react is greater. Even on the "post" pattern, the receiver will run at least 10 yards before he catches the pass.
For information on Coach Bass' In-Depth Coaching Clinics, please visit Coach Bass' Clinics and Consultations.
Drill: Short-Area Pattern Reaction
"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.
When running this drill, be sure that each of the players works against all the medium patterns and make certain he continues to call out the patterns as he reacts to them. Each defensive back should have a feeling, at the end of the drill, for the different locations of the interception points. In the case of a "hook" pattern, he actually will be coming directly at the back of the receiver.
Pattern - Reaction Keys
>