Coach ,

I’ve heard the argument before “technique over scheme.” I have even seen it printed on t-shirts.  Yes, technique is critical, but you cannot devalue the scheme because the scheme (both your own and the offense’s) will dictate the technique.  It does not have to be set up as a dichotomy.  They work together.

Knowing what technique to use will 100% be tied to the scheme. Today we share three techniques for corners to help them win in certain situations.  

Collision the Double Move

Paul Williams, now the defensive backs coach at Stanford teaches specific technique to defend against the double move in man. He tells his CBs, “If you feel him slowing down, collision him and get yourself to where you can look and lean.”  He points out that a double move should not be a clean “look and throw” for the QB, and collision is the tool to help take these double moves away.

Video: Open and Burst

Stagger the Stance to Defeat Counter Moves

The collision tool is also made in making contact at the line of scrimmage.  Of course, the receiver will have a counter move for when this happens.  Being able to win when the counter move happens is reliant on being in a good position.  Diamond Weaver, defensive backs coach at Stony Brook, believes that the staggered stance used when executing the shock technique at the line of scrimmage can help the corner win in this situation.

Video: Receiver’s Counter Plan

“SCORE” Technique

Stan Datosky, defensive backs coach at Colgate, uses what he calls the “score” technique which stands for shuffle-shuffle-crossover-run. Others may call this technique skate.

The debate is always which is best - pedal or skate.  Coach Datosky breaks down the benefits of each technique.  Both have their place in coverage.  Coach explains his thinking on these techniques in this video.

Video: Off Coverage - Pedal vs. Skate

In our digital world of every piece of information being at our fingertips, it’s easy to get excited and even lost in a technique that looks good on video.  Knowing whether it fits or not is the key, so being able to ask yourself how and why it fits can help keep you on track with your teaching.

Good luck as you continue to prepare for week 1 kickoff!

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. A great resource with a variety of techniques,coaching points and drills for defensive backs (including those highlighted in this email) is available here.  This can be useful to refer to throughout the season.  Be sure to check it out.