Playing defensive football is about delivering hard hits to offensive players. When you play free or strong safety on your defensive team, you also have to play with great instincts for the game. You have to know when the opponent is likely to pass and where that pass is likely to go based on who your opponent's tendencies. In addition to hitting hard and playing decisively against the pass, you must be familiar with the game plan and must be able to position teammates correctly.
Step 1
Drive hard into the ballcarrier and try to take the ball away from him if any of your other teammates have gotten their hands on him. If you are attempting to finish the tackle, aim your shoulder at the ball in an attempt to strip it away. But if you are the first tackler to make contact, drive your shoulder into his midsection and wrap up with your arm to successfully bring down the ballcarrier.
Step 2
Drop back into the secondary when your opponent is attempting a long pass. The safety's credo must be "as deep as the deepest and as wide as the widest." That means the safety is the last line of defense in the passing game and must get as deep as the deepest wide receiver and must also go to the widest part of the field if that's where the receiver is going.
Step 3
Cover the tight end or the running back one-on-one in coverage. The safety does not usually have to cover wide receivers in man-to-man coverage. But stopping the running back or the tight end from making a big play is your responsibility. Get between your man and the ball to knock the pass away or make an interception. If you can't do that, you must make contact with him immediately after he catches the ball.
Step 4
Blitz the quarterback when you can come from his blind side and attack quickly. You may have coverage responsibility on the tight end, but instead of dropping back into coverage, rush the quarterback and get your hands up so you can throw his pass off course if you don't bring him down for a sack.
Step 5
Work on your open-field running ability. As a safety, you are expected to know what to do with the ball when you intercept a pass or recover a fumble. You will have to know how to make moves to fake tacklers out of position or use your blockers if your other defensive teammates are out in front of you on a return.
Member Comments