NORTH TEXAS FOOTBALL WIDE RECEIVERS DEFEATING PRESS COVERAGE

I. RELEASES 1. Be physical; Quick Hands and Feet; Must have Rhythm; Must Attack. 2. A receiver in this offense will not play if he cannot get off the ball. A. Types of Releases 1. Foot fire- The receiver is attacking the DBs technique up field taking him opposite of where he wants to go. He must use a great head and shoulder fake to freeze the DB. He then uses the grab and punches through/rips and releases up field. 2. One step- Quick jab step in the opposite direction of where you are going. The purpose is to turn the DBs hips and shoulders which will allow the receiver a clean release. 3. Two Step- Extended version of the one step. Used against a DB that will over play the first step.

4. Speed- At all cost a receiver must get inside or outside of a DB at whatever angle you must take to get underneath or outside of the DB. It is important to get back on stem.

B.

Release Drills1. Foot fire- This drill is done with 5 cones set up in a 45 degree cone drill. Each cone though is set up approximately 1 yard from each other. The receiver begins the drill by starting a quick foot fire to each cone and once reaching the cone he wants to stick the foot and foot fire to the next. This drill works the foot fire along with the attitude slams. 2. Box Drill Release- Create a box with 4 cones. Each cone should be 5 yards apart, but can be adjusted to make the drill more difficult or easier. Receiver must use one of his releases against a live defender. Objective is not to get pushed out of the box and to get back on route stem. 3. 4 in a hole- This drill is done with a lay down ladder on the ground. The purpose of the drill is to work the rhythm of the release. This drill is designed for the receiver to get the feel of the release. He is practicing the foot fire part of the release in each square for a 4 count. On command he works a 4 count foot fire in each hole going down and back.

4. Releases vs. Big Red: This drill is done with a stand up dummy. The receiver on command will foot fire and on the second command will use his release on the dummy finishing back on track or on top of the route. 5. Releases vs. press DB- Hands; feet; full release. This is done with 2 receivers partnered up on a yard line working the 3 phases of the release-hands; feet; full release.

II.

STACK THE DEFENDER 1. This is the last phase of the release. It is important that the receiver pushes back on top of his original alignment to stack the defender. This ensures that the defender cannot overplay his route. Another term that is used is to swap hips with the DB. 2. Examples of routes vs. press coverage: a. Fade b. Post c. Smash d. Middle