Defensive Back Techniques – Backpedal, Slide Step, Jam

by FIGUREFOUR
Shakin’ the Southland

There are a few basic techniques that a DB will use on any given play to get into pass coverage.

At the snap of the ball, a DB will either jam a receiver and or he will drop immediately into coverage.  There are typically two techniques to dropping into coverage: the backpedal and the slide step.  These concepts apply to all pass defenders even though we will mainly focus on the defensive backs (DBs).

Backpedal

Backpedaling is usually the first move that a defensive back (especially a Corner) will make when the ball is snapped.  A straight backpedal is extremely common for man coverage techniques.

In a backpedal, the DB’s body is squared up with the receiver.   He will try to maintain as low a center of gravity as possible and still keep his weight over the balls of his feet.   This allows the defender to move quickly backwards yet still be in a position to change direction either forward or laterally.

Terminology: Bump and Run

A successful passing attack is routinely based on the timing between a Quarterback and his receivers.  However long it takes him to set up and throw equals the time it takes the receivers to work their routes.

Bump and run is about disrupting that timing.

The “bump” part is when the Cornerback “jacks” the receiver at the line to prevent his clean release.  The “run” part is the man-to-man defense he plays after.