Defensive Back Stance Drill

Purpose

To teach and practice a good stance for the defensive back.

Description

  1. Have your Defensive Backs lined up at a line (i.e. the sideline as drawn up on the graphic). Separate the Defensive Backs: Those playing on the left should line up to the left of the coach (from their point of view), those playing on the right line up on the right.
  2. On command of the coach the Defensive Backs get into their stance.
  3. The Coach then checks quickly each player for correctness of his stance and corrects if needed.
  4. Once the Coach is satisfied with the stance of his Defensive Backs he starts a cadence and then simulates the snap with his foot.
  5. Upon the simulated snap the players get out of their stance and backpedal for a few steps, then jog back to their original spot at the line.

Repeat a couple of times until the coach doesn’t have to correct very much anymore.

Coaching Points

  1. Outside foot up
  2. Inside foot staggert to the arch
  3. Feet 6 to 8 inches apart
  4. Bend your knees and lower hips
  5. Shoulders over balls of your feet
  6. Arms relaxed over front foot
  7. Don’t rise up when coming out of your stance

Equipment

  • none

This Defensive Back Stance Drill is contributed by ©2007 Leon Criner (✝️ Nov. 14, 2014), at the time Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator and Jimmy Sims, at the time Assistant Professor of Health & Physical Education / Head Football Coach at Los Angeles Valley College – The Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs played then in the Western States Conference, now in the SCFA, Southern California Football Association.