How to Play Defensive Backfield Positions in Football

In American football, the defensive back is the last line of defense against the opposing offense. If an offensive player eludes a defensive back or a receiver gets behind a defensive back, it almost certainly results in a touchdown for the other team. This makes this position one of the most difficult to play in all of football.

Instructions

Play Safety

1. Differentiate between the two safety positions in football. One safety is a free safety and the other is a strong safety. The free safety has more coverage responsibilities, while the strong safety plays closer to the line of scrimmage with more responsibilities to stop running plays.

2. Realize that the free safeties main goal is keep all the opposing offensive players in front of them on defense, while the Strong safety controls the middle of the field and keeps running plays contained. In addition, the strong safety will attack the quarterback far more times than the free safety. These are not hard and fast rules and can vary according to the defensive philosophy.

3. Maintain proper balance at all times on defense. Proper balance begins with footwork. You should not cross your feet or turn your hips until the receiver makes a move in one direction or the other. If the defensive back changes position too soon the receiver then has a distinct advantage.

4. Possess a short memory. Safeties must understand that if they allow a touchdown or play they must not let that play affect them on the next play.

5. Recognize that safeties for the most part do not cover a specific offensive player like a cornerback but mainly cover a specific part of the field or help the cornerback cover an opposing offensive player.

6. Understand that a player must have the correct physical attributes to play the safety position. Generally, these players possess a good combination of speed and size. Safeties are generally bigger and slower than cornerbacks are but smaller and faster than anyone else on the defense.

Play Cornerback

1. Possess the correct body type and athleticism to play cornerback. Cornerbacks are generally the smallest and quickest players on the defense.

2. Have the ability to react quickly to offensive players movements. The cornerback must react almost instantaneously when a receiver moves in any direction. Any significant delay in the reaction will lead to a score for the opposition.

3. Sustain correct balance at all times on defense. Correct balance begins with footwork. The defensive back should not cross their feet or turn their hips until the receiver makes a move in one direction or the other. If the defensive back changes position too soon the receiver then has a distinct advantage.

4. Practice footwork and speed drills as often as possible. The cornerback position is all about the fundamentals. A good cornerback should never have to think about the basic movements to play the position; it should be second nature after hours and hours of practice.