The defense is in its alignment. The coach has the ball and the runners are on each side.
How to run it
The whole defense trains pursuit angles. When the coach throws out to the sideline, everyone sprints his angle to get in front of the ball carrier – players close to the ball run flat angles, deep players run steeper ones.
Set-up
A defense of eight players in base alignment. The coach is the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage with two balls. A runner waits on each side near the sideline.
Instructions
- 1The defense is in its alignment. The coach has the ball and the runners are on each side.
- 2The coach throws to the left runner at the sideline. Everyone turns and sprints on the throw – call "Ball!".
- 3The runner goes up the sideline. Each defender takes his angle: the cornerback keeps the edge, the deep players take steeper angles.
- 4In front of the runner: the first one breaks down and touches with two hands, the others close in around the ball.
- 5Everyone jogs back and lines up again.
- 6Now to the right: the coach throws to the right runner.
- 7The same angles the other way – the players on the far side run deep and cross the field.
- 8The runner is cut off at the sideline and surrounded.
- 9Back to the alignment. The coach times it: the whole defense must arrive within a few seconds.
Coaching points
- Never run to where the ball carrier is, but to where he is going to be.
- The deeper you are, the steeper the angle – nobody should end up behind the ball.
- The cornerback on the ball side keeps the edge and forces the runner back inside towards help.
- No tackling in the drill: the first one breaks down and touches, the rest arrive.
Variations
Easier
Walk through the angles at a jog. Fewer players and only one side.
Harder
Let the runner choose to cut back. The defense must keep its angles and not overrun the ball.
Equipment
- 4 × Markers
Use this drill with your team
Add it to a training in SquadSpace, adjust it to your squad and show it to the players in the app – in 2D or 3D.
Start free trial