AC/Head FB Coach - College Park HS. 2022 6A DII State Champion. THSCA 40under40. Husband to Lauren. Dad to Calvin. TU, HSU, and GHS Alum. B/L. TX Born & Raised.
DBs - Own your LEVERAGE
The Vice Tackle Drill emphasizes tackling in space while teaching players the concept of leverage.
KNOW WHERE YOUR HELP IS!
#DBU
The Best Defensive Players I’ve ever been around shared 3 Traits:
1) ALWAYS ran to the football - Fanatical Effort
2) LOVED contact - finished through the point of contact - not to it.
3) CONSISTENTLY brought energy and enthusiasm to practice, meetings, game, etc... PASSION.
DB Drills:
Good example here of working a complex drill without having to cover much ground and use much space.
4 BREAKS
1) Allows a rep at the 4 most common downhill angles.
2) Low Energy Drill - Saves Legs
3) Works pace of the break and reaction.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
The “chutes” are used to emphasize good pad level during our transition breaks.
Keeping your pads low allows you to change direction and burst faster out of your break.
#DBU
DB DRILLS:
Top Of The Route (TOTR)
Great drill to work deeper routes and transitions without running guys all over the field.
Emphasis on low eyes, controlled pedal, and breaking off of your WR keys.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
#DBsOnSix
SAFETIES:
Speed doesn’t have to be the point of every drill - PERFECT YOUR TECHNIQUE.
The “Plant - Point - Drive” of your break can be repped in stages.
Good Reps Build Good Habits.
Build - Grow - Progress with a great foundation.
#DBWork
#DBU
I thought this page was genius. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “Top of the #’s” and kids line up on the bottom.
Define your buzzwords - Create a common language.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
LB DRILLS:
Angle Drop Angle Tackle
Great for teaching your backers to react back to draw or QB scramble.
Controlled drill with cones for angles and a coach giving the ball carrier a direction.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
#RunAndHit
Pedal Break - Low Pad Transitions
Emphasis placed on pad level during change of direction - easily done with Chutes.
Forces players to remain in an athletic position to eliminate wasted movement.
Great for work at the top of the route without gassing their legs.
#DB
Avoid Drill / Combat Zone
Great combination drill putting together the avoid and combat zones of kick off coverage.
Work Speed/Dip/Rip to avoid and fit butt side of your defender in avoid zone.
Lock your man and fit with leverage to ball carrier in combat.
#KickAndCover
GATOR ROLL TACKLE:
Train your perimeter tacklers to attack these situations full speed.
Speed & Momentum are your friends.
1. Attack the Near Knee
2. Accelerate into Contact
3. Near Shoulder Strike
4. Wrap near knee / legs (Kill The Engine)
5. ROLL
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Linebackers:
Angle Drop to Angle Tackle
Good use of Indy time to simulate very real game-like situations for backers.
Work your pass drop and react to ball thrown underneath or QB scrambling.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Intro to Snag Ladder
Beating blocks is essential for perimeter players - this Snag Ladder works to develop the Strike / Snag principle of block destruction
Press the Blocker - Pull to your hip - Finish by gaining ground
Finish drill with a ball drill component or tackle
#DB
As a first year coach - one of my biggest mistakes was not having a “drill checklist” to track progression and structure teaching.
I’d encourage anyone just getting into the profession or looking to grow to constantly work on developing and honing your checklist.
Top of the Route - Eye Transitions
Good drill to work the transition from the near hip to upfield shoulder on 90 degree cuts by the WR.
Trains:
Eyes
Pedal
C.O.D.
Also great drill to limit the amount of running you’re putting your guys through on high volume days.
#DB
DBs
TRAIN YOUR EYES DAILY
Technique and Fundamentals are essential (feet, hips, hands, etc...) but if your eyes are in the WRONG PLACE you’ll always be a step away from making the play.
LB DRILLS:
Run Recognition Footwork
Teaching the G / G / RB Triangle to backers to clear up their run reads and footwork allows them to play fast in the right direction.
This was an everyday drill - reps reps reps.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
LEVERAGE:
Try to find some way to teach it EVERYDAY.
One of the quickest ways to get beat in football - Lose Leverage.
“Vice Tackle” or Partner Tackle is a great way to teach defenders to own their leverage when attacking a ball carrier.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Recruits: Appreciate the outpouring of DMs! Remember, per NCAA Rules, I cannot engage in communication with anyone beyond the 2021 Class currently.
Don’t take it personal, it’s just the rules!
Your time is coming! Enjoy being a kid, keep grinding, and be a great teammate!
LB DRILLS:
Michigan’s Bag Drills to start LB Indy emphasize first step and down hill path as they work through the bags.
Second drill emphasizes changing direction from your initial read quickly.
All finish NEAR SHOULDER / NEAR KNEE.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
SPECIAL TEAMS:
AVOID DRILL / COMBAT DRILL
2 Part coverage drill to emphasize the Avoid and Combat Zones of KO Coverage.
Whistle starts both groups. Avoid Drill resets into Combat and begins again on the 2nd Whistle.
Players in Combat work to square up the BC.
#HammerDown
Box Leverage Tackle or “Blind Mice”
Emphasis:
Inside/out or outside/in leverage tackling.
Ball carrier and tackler can choose either cone and tackler must adjust his fit.
Great drill for teaching leverage in-season or out-of-season.
#DWC
Special Teams Drills:
Kick Coverage Drill
Avoid Zone + Contact Zone + Fit & Finish.
Great use of the field and incorporates all players. Drive home the importance of winning the first play of defense!
#SpecialTeams
#RunAndHit
Backers:
You have to be able to play in and out of the box. Your ability to change direction and make plays has become increasingly more important in TODAY’s game.
Angle Drop & Retrace into an Angle Tackle.
#LBC
#RunAndHit
#DefenseWinsChampionships
SPECIAL TEAMS:
FULL KO COVER DRILL
Combines the Avoid Drill, Contact Drill, and Angle Tackle to create a complex kick off drill.
Like using this drill in camp, once we’ve taught the 3 separate drills, as a complex Indy segment for Kick Off.
#FlipTheField
#HanmerDown
Blessed with the opportunity to spend the last 3 years at
@TexasFootball
Thank you to all the coaches and staff that invested in me during my time.
Above all - thank you to the players. The young men I was able to work with, care for, and pour into each day. Love you guys. 🤘🏼
No-Pad Tackling Drills
Approach & Shimmy Tackle
Used to introduce players to the shimmy or “shortening and widening” footwork that takes place when closing ground on a head up tackle.
Sprint Phase
Shimmy (over the bag)
Near Knee Approach
Near Knee Near Shoulder Finish (Hex)
When I GA'ed at 23 years old, I was "Field Fired" by my position coach 10+ times the first week of spring ball.
He told me the next Monday, "Your goal every week is to get fired one less time. That means you're getting better, young coach."
SMALL STEPS FORWARD-BUILD YOUR BASE
Every scheme has merit… 4-2-5, 3-3 Stack, 3-4 Multiple… but creating a BELIEF in your scheme with your players, that’s what makes a great defense. 11 Jobs - 1 Unit.
#DoYourJob
Post Safety Drill Work
Drive to Your Landmark (determined by splits, distribution of WRs, hash, etc..)
Square up, work for depth, and read QB indicator.
Break on indicator - Attack The Ball - High Point - Complete the Catch
LB DRILLS:
Spot/Angle Drops
I used this clip because I love the emphasis Coach is putting on the two read steps... guy flys out to his drop so he makes him start again.
Same goes for 7 on 7 or 1/2 Line pass. Keep emphasis on the read steps and R/P.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
SAFETIES:
If you have a PARTNER - you have a chance to work your EYES.
In the back end you’re only as good as your EYES.
Here is an easy example of a slow - fast - transition drill to train your eyes in reading the WR’s hip.
Read Pedal to Speed Pedal. Drive his break.
DB DRILLS:
4 BREAKS
Confined drill to work quick reps of your T Plant and Open Hip Breaks.
Emphasize low pad level and quick breaks out of the plant to work back downhill.
Great for saving the legs and still getting functional work in your INDY.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Awesome seeing the safeties take
@Coach_Naivar
‘s smart tackling techniques from drills into the games.
From the Class to the Grass. Best One in the Country.
#ThisIsTexas
#DBU
T Plant Tackle
Drill I adopted a few years back to emphasize coming out of your break into a tackle
Not an everyday drill - but a great addition to your profile tackle drills.
Emphasize the plant/point/drive and rolling your hips through with a high arm wrap.
#DB
DB Partner Ball Drills
Examples:
Partner Angle Breaks
Close & Swat
All are controlled drills to teach angle and attack points on breaks.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Tackle Work During Non-Padded Practices
Strike & Snag vs Stalk Block
Leverage tackle work from inside out, using the sideline as your 2nd defender.
Eyes through the near hip - maintain leverage - complete a two-handed tag off on the thigh.
Great for perimeter players
#DB
DB DRILLS - PEDAL BREAKS
Chute work to emphasize pad level during the read to speed pedal phase and break downhill at 45.
We later added a scoop and score or interception to make the drill more complex.
#PadLevel
#DWC
Post Safety Tackle
Tackling in space requires discipline, especially out of the post
This drill puts emphasis on leveraging the ball carrier and forcing him to choose a side - decrease space and force him to make a decision
Gain Ground - Attack Near Thigh - Wrap & Drive
#DB
LBs:
Wave Drill
This is one of our daily drills - emphasis on choppy steps that allow you to remain balanced and change direction quickly.
We work back and forth 3-4 times before sticking a foot in the ground and driving downhill.
Here’s a look at LSU’s LBs using this drill:
Day 1 Tackle Circuit:
Station 1: Shimmy Angle Tackle
Agile represents area within 5 yards of ball carrier with squared shoulders. Steps get quicker and wider to gain ground and balance for COD.
Coach points left or right to send player into left foot or right foot lead tackle
Leverage and Fits
Examples of the Vice Drill and how prevalent these situations can be in a big game.
I/O Fits - Partner Tackling - Vice The Ball - Finish.
From the practice field to the game field.
#DWC
#LEVERAGE
DB DRILLS:
CHUTE WORK - Pedal Hip Transitions
Emphasizing pad level through the pedal and transition to maintain leverage and speed.
Finish includes a high point and a block on the first threat (intended WR).
#DefenseWinsChampionships
2 Part KO DRILL
Part 1: Avoid Zone
Stay Skinny and rip to the backside of the blocker.
Part 2: Contact Zone
Fit blocker with leverage to kick side - disengage and fit ball carrier. Outside edge fitters keep ball on your inside pad.
My wife sent me this to remind me how life can change in 5 years…
5 years ago, I’d get off work at UT and drive to Round Rock to work a night shift to help pay my part of our rent and bills.
6 AM mornings - 11 PM nights
Work for what you want through ups and downs. Thankful!
Special Teams: Kick Coverage Drill
Two part drill to teach all players the AVOID and COMBAT zones.
Whistle activates both sections of the drill. AVOID DRILL moves to COMBAT/SHOCK & SHED which rotates to the end of the line.
#ShowUpToBlowUp
#BombSquad
We can fix your technique..
We can teach you knowledge of the scheme..
We can encourage and hold you accountable..
But we can’t ever GIVE YOU effort
That’s between YOU and YOU.
#HustlersGetPaid
#STRAIN
DB DRILLS: Gator Roll Tackle
Perimeter Tackling - attacking the near hip with speed and momentum.
Violent Contact - Aggressive Wrap - Speed into Roll.
COME UP WITH A BODY PART.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Gone way too soon. Prayers for your family and loved ones.
Rest easy Jake - I will always miss that goofy smile running into the facility first thing in the morning.
Quick way to get in your pedal / weave work at the beginning of practice or to start your individual
We used the Box Drill at Hardin-Simmons with our safeties and corners.
Great way to put emphasis on back pedal and weave. Every day drill.
#DB
#DWC
Block Destruction:
Plenty of time in the summer to emphasize block destruction and hand striking. Below is our off-season tool we’ve used to force tight hand strikes and strong punch.
Miyagi Boards - Westwood HS/Ohio State:
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Sprint To Gather:
Off-Season Tackling: Train your approach and angle when you aren’t in pads. Feet take you to the tackle.
Sprint to attack - gather to gain leverage and determine angle - finish with near knee/ near shoulder.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
DB DRILLS:
Chute Work - 90 Degree Breaks
Chutes emphasize good of level and force players to stay low and quick out of their transitions.
Eyes drive to target then snap back to QB to finish with angle break to the ball.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
LB TRIANGLE DRILL:
Love this drill for teaching your LBs to read through the G’s to the RB.
Rep through IZ, OZ, G Pull, and Pass Sets.
S/O to
@coachwilkerson
for showing me this drill back in 2014. One of the BEST defensive coaches I’ve worked with.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
DB COACHES:
What type of tools have you used for your 2-1 Reads or Half Line Scout?
Wolf Shafer introduced me to these Route Cards. A Card is placed at a designated cone so Scouts can roll through quickly, peak at the play number, and run their route.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
LB DRILLS:
Angle Shuffle + Tight Angle Tackle
Eyes up through the shuffle - Eyes to the hip of the target.
Drive downhill through the tackle - Accelerate your feet on contact. Drive for 5.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Diagram Your Drills:
I was taught early on to put a diagram to anything I wanted to teach/drill/communicate. The old attige was "Make It Dummy Proof" - But I think a lot of good comes from being able to teach and communicate in a variety of ways.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
SAFETIES:
If you have a BALL and a PARTNER... you can work POST DRILLS.
Use MOF or HASH/SL - drive for DEPTH to landmark and read the QB.
Closing the post and winning in space is one of the most important skills a safety can have.
#SIDELINETOSIDELINE
DB CHUTE WORK:
Pedal Break Progression through the chutes. Emphasis placed on pad level and quick pedal break. Suddenness of the drill helps save your DBs legs throughout the course of a long season yet still gets the needed work.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Pedal Break Chute Work
Low Pad Level Emphasis
Quick out of your break - vision to your next spot - reset and start again.
We added in a scoop and score to emphasize the finish of the drill
#DB
DB DRILLS:
BUDDY BREAKS
CLOSE & SWAT (HOOK & SWAT)
Great for repping point of attack - playing the hands - and finishing with a punch to the ball.
I like working these just like we work being out of phase on a fade.
Eyes to the WR - Close the space - Find the Hands - Punch.
LB DRILLS:
E.D.D. - Angle Drops
I like this drill as part of our Stance / Shuffle / Drop series.
Read steps to the ball - Angle Drop to the spot - Square and Read QB.
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Track The Hip or Track Tackle
Teach guys to work with leverage - inside/out and track the near hips of the ball carrier.
If he tries to face you up (see chest) - gather and gain ground.
Always stay on the near hip.
Great training tool for the open field.
#DWC
A wideout might shake you off the line..
He might get a step on you out of his break..
He might even have separation at the top of his route..
But every good DB knows...
YOU’RE NEVER BEAT - FINISH THE PLAY.
#EffortCoversMistakes
#HustlersGetPaid
#DBU
DB DRILLS:
Post / Deep 1/2 Breaks
Working a 45* push to break to the 1/2 or Post.
- 45 Drive
- Clue Vertical Threat
- Eyes to QB
- Drive or Square Up
- Break on ball
#DefenseWinsChampionships
Tight Angle Tackle
Combat drill - used in several parts (technique, competition, etc...) and can be repped in every phase of football in close quarters.
Fit - Wrap - Drive For 5
Stand him up and help is on the way.
#DB
What a great game! My wife and son finally got to attend a game and they picked a great one!
Truly blessed!
#DESOTOU
#FAM1LY
📸:
@justinwells2424
(thank you buddy)
Safeties:
Driving Range (Deep Safety Work)
Playing safety is a lot like being an outfielder. Need reps getting depth, cross-over running, & locating the ball.
Great early week work to test ball skills and high-pointing.
If you can’t get the ball - remove the receiver.
#DWC
Special Teams Drills:
AVOID DRILL
Great drill for KO Coverage to use a moving target to avoid. Start by working angle drops from one side to help your cover guys avoid and keep their speed.
Evolve drill to drop from either side on command and have to avoid.
#FlipTheField