Cwood's Decline

[sup-rbeast]

And on both, the corners were running towards the WR with their hands up not looking back to the football as it was in the air, trying to make a play on it.

That's my point. If you're looking and the WR's catching the ball b/c you had no idea it had been thrown and didn't bother to make a play on it...then you're burnt either way. Read the route, run with the guy, look for the ball when he looks for it, then go get it. No reason to face guard if you know the ball's there and you can swat it away or even *gasp* intercept it.

The best and IMO only way to coach a CB in coverage is:
1-Get in the receiver's hip pocket
2-Watch his eyes
3-When he raises his hands to make a play on the ball get your hands between his as you turn to look for the ball
4-Once you have your hands between his, extend your arm in an upward motion impeding his vision somewhat as you make a play on the ball at its highest point

Every coach I've ever been around worth his salt used this technique with his CBs....on the field of play it hardly ever works out perfectly, but more often then not it works.

[1inStripes]

It seems to me like we are only talking about go routes though on this defense. Around here, I would mainly just have DBs make a quick jam at the LOS taking away the inside. This also cuts down on the bubble screens and hitches. Then release with the receiver. Theres generally not a huge amount of speed around here to cause terrible issues with that, and even less accuracy with QBs having to make a tight pass on the sidelines if anything is over 10-15 yards. The best thing you can have thats hard to teach though is a guy who knows how to react and time passes. I was slower than most DBs when I played, but only had 1 pass completed in my area my senior year which was in zone coverage. My stone hands unfortunately dropped more balls than I picked off though.

[Biggin]

if teams around here were able to have a shutdown CB they could stick on the teams best playmaker, it would do wonders for a defense.

CB's around here have not yet learned how to play underneath routes or crossing patterns, which are popular routes in basic passing offenses.
thats why there is so much zone played.

[starbuck]

I sucked as a CB. spent 2 years trying and pretty much failed. heck even Appy was having a field day throwing on me. Once I was moved to strong safety I got a LOT better. I thrived at SS and had a really good 2nd half of my Jr. year and a great Sr year.

[sup-rbeast]

It seems to me like we are only talking about go routes though on this defense. Around here, I would mainly just have DBs make a quick jam at the LOS taking away the inside. This also cuts down on the bubble screens and hitches. Then release with the receiver. Theres generally not a huge amount of speed around here to cause terrible issues with that, and even less accuracy with QBs having to make a tight pass on the sidelines if anything is over 10-15 yards. The best thing you can have thats hard to teach though is a guy who knows how to react and time passes. I was slower than most DBs when I played, but only had 1 pass completed in my area my senior year which was in zone coverage. My stone hands unfortunately dropped more balls than I picked off though.

It goes without saying you take away the inside if you are a CB and make 'em throw over you. I always liked a jam at the LOS too...round here, most teams play their corners way too far off the LOS tho IMO. If he needs help containing a speedy WR, you can always give him help over the top with a safety.

[1inStripes]

I agree. I remember watching the Clintwood/Honaker regional final in 99 that went to OT. I couldn't figure out 2 things. Why Clintwood was playing cover 3 with no pressure on Honakers WRs, and since CW was playing 10 yards off the ball, why Honaker didnt throw more hitches at the line.

[sup-rbeast]

I agree. I remember watching the Clintwood/Honaker regional final in 99 that went to OT. I couldn't figure out 2 things. Why Clintwood was playing cover 3 with no pressure on Honakers WRs, and since CW was playing 10 yards off the ball, why Honaker didnt throw more hitches at the line.

Playing CBs 10 and 15 yards off the ball is partially what cost APPY a win at JIB earlier this season. The throws the QB had to make was just into the flats for the most part, which is an easy completion..and then the receiver had 7-8 yards before APPY's CBs even got close to him cuz they weren't even breaking on the ball when it was thrown. It baffled me.

[sup-rbeast]

if teams around here were able to have a shutdown CB they could stick on the teams best playmaker, it would do wonders for a defense.

CB's around here have not yet learned how to play underneath routes or crossing patterns, which are popular routes in basic passing offenses.
thats why there is so much zone played.

What he said...excellent CB play opens up your entire defensive play book. You can cause havoc with your DL and LBs with little fear of being burned deep.