In any discussion of pass defense, it is critical to note the importance of a fierce pass rush. The combination of a great rush and great coverage downfield, is what produces a successful pass defense. The better the pass rush, the easier it is to play in the secondary.
With that being said, we will focus on man-to-man defense in this segment and we will focus on strategy of pass defense, namely specific coverages.
A defender must be psychologically ready to play man-to-man. He must know and accept the five priorities of man-to-man coverage:
- Force incompletions (top priority).
- Never miss a tackle.
- Remember that third-down completions that don’t gain a first down are a victory.
- Eliminate the long touchdown pass.
- Go for the ball whenever possible.
Fundamentally, the defender must know the proper way to run back-ward. He must be able to recognize patterns and know the breaking and interception point. To avoid penalties, he must understand the importance of the cushion. He must be able to focus on the receiver and look for the ball. Finally, he must know when his teammates are in position to help him and where their help will come from.
The man-to-man pass defender must have mastered all of the elements of a good backpedal: stance, start, sprint, change of direction, and roll to run. Next, he must know the basic patterns that the receivers can run:
- Outside receivers: quick out, hitch, slant, out, in, comeback, hook, and shake.
- Slot back: straight, short, delay, out, in, look, cross, hook, corner, and go.
- Offensive backs: hook, close, curl, wide, flat, short, in, out, corner, and go.
The defensive back’s knowledge of these basic patterns and his ability to recognize each pattern quickly are essential if he is to be successful in covering his man.
After he can recognize each pattern, he must learn where the receiver will usually catch the ball. This point, called the “interception point”, is usually six yards in front of the receiver when the defensive back recognizes the pattern.
After recognizing the pattern, the defensive back drives to the interception point. After locating the interception point, the defensive back moves there in a straight line, usually arriving ahead of or at the same time as the ball. The defensive back who cannot recognize the interception point will always be a follower on patters he should be able to cover.
In man-to-man coverage, the defensive back must always see the man he is covering as he looks for the ball. He should never look away from the receiver to find the ball. If the receiver is going to catch the ball and the defender has no chance to intercept or deflect it, he should tear away the receiver’s upfield arm, the arm farthest from the flight of the ball. An incompletion is the same as a running play that fails to gain a yard.
If the receiver is so far away that he cannot reach the receiver’s upfield arm as the ball arrives, then the defensive back must make the tackle. He should hit the receiver with as much force and strength as he can, but he must be sure to make the tackle. Hard, clean, aggressive tackling will discourage some receivers from making receptions.
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