Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
15 years ago
Excellent read.. remember all those things I said about playing linebacker and Defensive line and the pre-snap reads and tells and why I was disappointed in Hawk and the other backers.. this is the kind of stuff I was talking about..

Well here is a piece about the defensive backs reads..


http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/03/a-defenders-look-at-man-defense/ 


A Defenders Look At Man Defense

Man-to-man coverage in the NFL has taken a back seat lately because of the emergence of the Tampa 2 defense and zone-blitzing schemes. But as pressure defense becomes popular again, man-to-man defense is going to make a comeback.

The Pre-Snap Read

As a defender is the NFL, you can gain an advantage by knowing and understanding how a wide receivers pre-snap alignment affects the route hes going to run. This is gained in film study throughout the week leading up to the game, and its something that every good defender must know to succeed at the NFL level.

Pro defensive backs look at the football field like grid, using the numbers and the hash marks as landmarks. Where a receiver aligns as it pertains to the field is the first thing a good defensive back looks at once he leaves the huddle.

Aligned outside the numbers? OK, you can expect an inside release and an inside breaking route such as a slant, an underneath crossing route or a dig route (square in). You know this as a defender because there isnt enough room outside the numbers for a receiver to work with, so you can align to the inside and prepare for a route that breaks back into the field toward the football, and a shorter throw for the quarterback. T.O. made a living doing this in Philly.

Aligned inside of the numbers? Well, you can expect something thats going to come back across the field, as is always expected with a reduced split. Remember, hes aligned inside the numbers for a reason, as offenses use the landmarks on the field as much as the defense does. That receiver is most likely going to run underneath the linebackers, and that equals a long run for the defender. Think of Anquan Boldin and the Cardinals. Get the ball to the receiver on the run with field to work with.

Obviously, there are instances when offenses break their tendencies, but most often, if you study the film, you know exactly what theyre going to do before the ball is snapped.

But that doesnt mean youre going to stop it which I hardly ever did.

The Release

To put this into words, were going to say that the receiver is aligned in a normal split on the outside edge of the numbers so we can talk about the release and what it means to the route.

An outside release by the wide receiver usually equals only three routes the fade, the comeback and the hitch. Thats it, because as a defender, you always use the sideline as your friend. Bump him at the line on an outside release toward the sideline and these three routes are all he has.

Now, an inside release can mean plenty of things. Most of the time, its going to equal some sort of inside breaking route, but if so, how many? The slant, the dig, the post, and the hardest to defend the 7-route (flag route). On this route, the receiver will release inside the defender, go vertical up the field, and then break outside toward the corner. As a defender, youre on his outside hip waiting for him to break inside on the post or the dig, and then the receiver fakes inside and breaks to the outside at a 45-degree angle.

In any form of man-to-man, the receiver is not only running away from you but also running away from the safety in the middle of the field. I cant tell you how many times I chased after receivers on the 7-route and begged for an overthrow. The problem on an inside release is that the defender cheats underneath to the receiver to take away the dig, and then hes suddenly gone running the other direction and panic sets in.

The Route Rules

Next time you watch an NFL game, look to see where the receivers break their routes. I guarantee every break happens between the 12-15 yard mark. Its how pro receivers are taught to run their routes every day in practice and in the film room. On any vertical release, you can expect any of these routes I just mentioned to break at 12-15 yards.

Why is this so important? For starters, if a receiver is still at top-end speed at 15 yards, you probably should turn your hips and start running, because hes not coming back. Once a receiver breaks that 12-15 yard mark, hes running straight down the field and probably getting the ball if youre still waiting for him to break to the post. And more importantly, following these rules will allow you to prevent any double move.

Im always shocked when guys get beat on double moves (trust me, I was one of them). Randy Moss has made a living running double moves on the outside of the formation, but in theory, he shouldnt get away with it.

Why? Because all double moves take place at the eight-yard mark and no route in the playbook breaks at eight yards. Sure, there are hitches, but those break at five yards. If a receiver stutters his feet at eight yards, the only thing hes going to do is make the defender stop his feet so he can streak down the side of the field, catch the ball, dance in the end zone and strike up the band.

Thats not a situation you want to be in as a defensive player.

The Bottom Line

The most important rule in the NFL when it comes to man-to-man and this can apply at any level is to watch your man. Keep your eyes on his hips, because a receiver cant make a move without turning his hips.

Too many times, guys in this league are looking into the backfield, and thats the worst thing you can do. Staring at the quarterback slows down your break out of your pedal, and it allows your man to gain separation.

My defensive backs coach in Washington, Steve Jackson, always put it best when we were caught looking at the quarterback on tape: I dont know why he didnt throw it to you because you were wide open.

In fact, I was, but I was wearing a different color jersey and my man was running the other way. Fun times, folks.

I always write about technique, and although this is a short version of playing man-to-man, it works. Lining up over the top of Randy Moss or Larry Fitzgerald isnt an easy task. Usually, against guys like that, technique and film study is the only chance you have.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Packers_Finland
15 years ago
Matt Bowen is a great writer. I liked his "Combine Tales" too.
This is a placeholder
gopackgo
15 years ago

The most important rule in the NFL when it comes to man-to-man and this can apply at any level is to watch your man. Keep your eyes on his hips, because a receiver cant make a move without turning his hips.



Makes sense, that's what I was always taught in basketball. So many other parts of the body can fake you out, but the hips never lie.

Great, great article to read..
blank
Pack93z
  • Pack93z
  • Select Member Topic Starter
15 years ago

The most important rule in the NFL when it comes to man-to-man and this can apply at any level is to watch your man. Keep your eyes on his hips, because a receiver cant make a move without turning his hips.

"gopackgo" wrote:



Makes sense, that's what I was always taught in basketball. So many other parts of the body can fake you out, but the hips never lie.

Great, great article to read..



And right there is the exact reason you have to have a safety over the top that can communicate effectively and help the corner get a feel for where a play is going.. it is a hidden element of the game that many miss..

Like the Center is to the offensive line.. a Safety has to be able to help the corners adjust on the fly.. they need to be a heady player with vision.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Fan Shout
packerfanoutwest (8h) : too funny
packerfanoutwest (8h) : Lions QB Jared Goff was the offensive MVP
packerfanoutwest (8h) : for the Pro Bowl, which is flag football
Zero2Cool (9h) : Rather, the murder WAS covered up to prevent ...
Zero2Cool (9h) : JFK murder was a cover-up to prevent war with Cuba/Russia.
Martha Careful (1-Feb) : I have always admired the pluck of the man
Zero2Cool (1-Feb) : I remember thinking he was going to be something good.
Mucky Tundra (1-Feb) : The Dualing Banjo!
Zero2Cool (31-Jan) : Jets have named Chris Banjo as their special teams coordinator, Former Packers player
Zero2Cool (31-Jan) : Jaguars have hired Anthony Campanile as their DC. We lose coach
Zero2Cool (30-Jan) : QB coach Sean Mannion
Zero2Cool (30-Jan) : DL Coach DeMarcus Covington
dfosterf (30-Jan) : from ft Belvoir, Quantico and points south. Somber reminder of this tragedy at Reagan Nat Airport
dfosterf (30-Jan) : So eerily quiet here in Alexandria. I live in the flight path of commercial craft coming from the south and west, plus the military craft
dfosterf (30-Jan) : So eeri
Mucky Tundra (30-Jan) : Now that's a thought, maybe they're looking at the college ranks? Maybe not head coaches but DC/assistant DCs with league experience?
beast (30-Jan) : College Coaches wouldn't want that publicly, as it would hurt recruiting and they might not get the job.
beast (30-Jan) : I thought they were supposed to publicly announce them, at least the NFL ones. Hafley was from college, so I believe different rules.
Mucky Tundra (30-Jan) : Who knows who they're interviewing? I mean, nobody knew about Hafley and then out of nowhere he was hired
beast (30-Jan) : I wonder what's taking so long with hiring a DL coach, 2 of the 3 known to interview have already been hired elsewhere.
Zero2Cool (27-Jan) : Packers coach Matt LaFleur hires Luke Getsy as senior assistant, extends Rich Bisaccia's deal
Zero2Cool (27-Jan) : Chiefs again huh? I guess another Super Bowl I'll be finding something else to do.
Mucky Tundra (27-Jan) : Chiefs Eagles...again...sigh
dfosterf (27-Jan) : Happy Birthday Dave!
Mucky Tundra (27-Jan) : happy birthday dhazer
TheKanataThrilla (26-Jan) : Exactly buck...Washington came up with the ball. It is just a shitty coincidence one week later
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : I forgot, they corrected the call a week later. Lol btw HAPPY BIRTHDAY dhazer!
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : That brings up the question, why wasn't Nixon down by contact? I think that was the point Kanata was making.
buckeyepackfan (26-Jan) : Turnovers rule, win the turnover battle, win the game.
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : well, he was
TheKanataThrilla (26-Jan) : Eagles down by contact on the fumble....fuck you NFL
Mucky Tundra (26-Jan) : I think this games over
beast (26-Jan) : Eagles sure get a lot of fumbles on kickoffs
Mucky Tundra (26-Jan) : This game looks too big for Washington
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : that being said, The Ravens are the Browns
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : Browns, Dolphins have longest AFC Championship droughts
packerfanoutwest (26-Jan) : As of today, Cowboys have longest NFC Championship drought,
beast (26-Jan) : Someone pointed out, with Raiders hiring Carroll, the division games between Carroll and Jim Harbaugh are back on (who can whine more games)
beast (26-Jan) : I'm confused, Pete Carroll and Brian Schottenheimer? When Todd Monken, Joe Brady, Kellen Moore, Kliff Kingsbury and Zac Robinson are availab
Zero2Cool (25-Jan) : Any reason I'm catching a shot here about my intelligence?
Martha Careful (25-Jan) : thank you Mucky for sticking up for me
Martha Careful (25-Jan) : some of those people are smarter than you zero. However Pete Carroll is not
Mucky Tundra (24-Jan) : Rude!
beast (24-Jan) : Martha? 😋
Zero2Cool (24-Jan) : Raiders hired someone from the elderly home.
dfosterf (24-Jan) : I'm going with a combination of the two.
beast (24-Jan) : Either the Cowboys have no idea what they're doing, or they're targeting their former OC, currently the Eagles OC
Zero2Cool (23-Jan) : Fake news. Cowboys say no
Zero2Cool (23-Jan) : Mystery candidate in the Cowboys head coaching search believed to be Packers ST Coordinator Rich Bisaccia.
beast (23-Jan) : Also why do both NYC teams have absolutely horrible OL for over a decade?
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2024 Packers Schedule
Friday, Sep 6 @ 7:15 PM
Eagles
Sunday, Sep 15 @ 12:00 PM
COLTS
Sunday, Sep 22 @ 12:00 PM
Titans
Sunday, Sep 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Oct 6 @ 3:25 PM
Rams
Sunday, Oct 13 @ 12:00 PM
CARDINALS
Sunday, Oct 20 @ 12:00 PM
TEXANS
Sunday, Oct 27 @ 12:00 PM
Jaguars
Sunday, Nov 3 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Sunday, Nov 17 @ 12:00 PM
Bears
Sunday, Nov 24 @ 3:25 PM
49ERS
Thursday, Nov 28 @ 7:20 PM
DOLPHINS
Thursday, Dec 5 @ 7:15 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 15 @ 7:20 PM
Seahawks
Monday, Dec 23 @ 7:15 PM
SAINTS
Sunday, Dec 29 @ 3:25 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 5 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 12 @ 3:30 PM
Eagles
Recent Topics
11h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

17h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

1-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

1-Feb / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

29-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

27-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / packerfanoutwest

27-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

25-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

25-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

25-Jan / Random Babble / Martha Careful

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

20-Jan / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

19-Jan / Random Babble / Martha Careful

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.