In a sport that is loaded with brilliant athletes, cornerbacks may be the most athletic players on the football field. A quality cornerback must be able to cover wide receivers on a one-on-one basis all over the field. This requires speed, quickness and superb hand-eye coordination. In addition to physical talent, a good cornerback has to understand how the opposing offense will try to attack.
Know the Situation
A good cornerback must be aware of the opponent and the game situation. When you are facing a high-powered passing team, you must be ready to defend the deep pass. However, if it is the beginning of the game, your opponent is likely to come out with a more conservative attack than it will later in the game. That means you will face more running plays and short passes. A good cornerback can read game situations and make the required plays in all situations.
Ball Skills
The best cornerbacks have to know how to play the ball to knock it away from wide receivers and come up with interceptions. Hall of Famer Deion Sanders was among the best athletes to ever line up at the cornerback spot but he was also among the smartest. There were times when Sanders would allow an opponent to catch a short pass or two early in the game in an attempt to make the opposing quarterback think he could throw the ball safely later on in the game. "It's called goading the quarterback," Sanders said. "I wanted him to think he could come my way and beat me. I wanted him to gamble that he could throw it in my direction. I wouldn't let them catch that same pass in the fourth quarter that they completed in the first half."
Studying the Opponent
A good cornerback has to be able to read opposing receivers and know their tendencies. This is vital to winning the coverage battle. The receiver knows where he is going on the field and the cornerback does not. By studying his opponent on the field, the cornerback has a better chance of knowing what the receiver wants to do on the field. Game films are available at the high school, college and professional levels, and it is essential that cornerbacks study their opponents.
Running Game
The cornerback has to handle his responsibilities in the running game. He must be a willing and effective tackler. When the offense attempts to run the ball outside the tackle box, the cornerback has to keep the running back from turning the corner when he gets to the sidelines and making big plays to the outside. The cornerback must be physical on those plays and drive his shoulder into the running back's midsection to bring him down. Cornerbacks who fail to tackle in the running game are liabilities for their team.
References
- "Play Football the NFL Way"; Tom Bass; 1991
- "Inside the Helmet"; Peter King; 1993
- Deion Sanders; Hall of Fame Cornerback; Chicago
