How to Follow the Football Play by Watching the Defensive Safety

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Rate: (7 Ratings)

A good defensive safety is always trying to make the play. If you watch the best safeties, you'll be able to follow the ball and know when the vicious hit is coming.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step1
Notice how the safety takes a couple of 'read steps' at the snap and follows the quarterback's movements.
Step2
Observe the safety running sideways or forward and he is likely shadowing the movements of the running backs or quarterback. He is always thinking about helping out the linebackers on run support.
Step3
Watch for the safety taking steps backward to stay with the receivers. A good safety never wants to get beat deep on a pass.
Step4
Pay attention to the safety as he tries to see through the defensive line and the offensive line to spot the quarterback and mirror the ball movement. It is a tall order for him to see through the other players and the umpires, so he needs to move into a lane of sight and key on the players' movements in order to make the play.
Step5
Be ready for a pass if the safeties are making tackles near the line of scrimmage or for a loss. The offensive coordinators will look to put them on their heels.
Step6
Look out for a run or play action if the safeties seem timid and are playing deep to prevent big passing gains.

Tips & Warnings

  • The best safeties force offenses to direct the ball away from them. If the safety you're watching never gets a shot at the ball, it might be that the offense is afraid of him, and you should watch the other safety, who will likely be the one getting tested.

Comments

| View All Comments
Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 When you are playing safety, brace up. Get on your toes. To be a safety you must be willing to sacrifice your body. You must be fast and have good reflexes.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article: How to Follow the Football Play by Watching the Defensive Safety

eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

Related Ads

Sports & Fitness

JoeRivera
Meet Joe Rivera eHow’s Sports & Fitness Expert.