Press Coverage Terminology

Leverage:  Always play half of a man, align on the inside eye (inside leverage) or out outside eye (outside leverage) of the receiver.

Jam:  In man to man coverage, depending on your leverage, you will punch the receiver with the hand away from the side of his release.  The punch should be from the hip, meaning from low to high, aiming for the inside of the shoulder to the chest.

Quick jam:  crowd the line of scrimmage and on the first movement of the receiver the defender can attack the receiver using a one or two hand jam punching on the rise and grabbing cloth.  As long as your hands are inside of the receiver’s shoulders the referee will not call holding.

Hip pocket:  Ideal coverage position slightly behind the receiver, should stay in position to make a play on the deep ball.

Press technique footwork

Base technique 1

Step and punch:  feet are at shoulder width, on the receiver’s first movement you are to step slightly up field and lateral to your leverage and punch with the off hand.  Example- receiver is on the right side of the field and takes an outside release, you step with your right foot and punch with your left hand to flatten his release.  Next you have to shuffle your feet to avoid crossing over then get into the hip pocket.  Stay in a position to discourage the deep ball and still make plays on intermediate and short routes.

Base technique 2

Reverse step and punch:  Feet are at shoulder width, on the receiver’s first movement you are to step in with the foot away from the side of the release of the receiver.  Punch with the off hand and shuffle.  Example- receiver is on the right side of the field and takes an outside release, step in with your left foot punch with your left hand and shuffle.  Instead of flattening out the receiver this allows the defender to stay in an up field position to better defend the deep ball.  

(Coaching point:  Coaches usually choose to teach one of the base press techniques, step and punch is more traditional and easier to learn, while reverse step and punch is harder to learn because of the reverse footwork)

Sub technique 1

Short pressure:  Feet are shoulder width, on the receiver’s movement you are to take short shuffle steps (replace your steps toe to heel) backwards to the leverage that you are playing on the receiver.  When the receiver is in reach, punch with the off hand, shuffle and get into hip pocket.

Sub technique 2

 Quick jam:  crowd the line of scrimmage with a staggered stance (foot to the side of the leverage up) and on the first movement of the receiver the defender can attack the receiver using a one or two hand jam punching on the rise and grabbing cloth.  As long as your hands are inside of the receiver’s shoulders the referee will not call holding.

Sub Technique 3

Fake quick jam:  Crowd the line of scrimmage with a staggered stance and on the receiver’s first movement quickly step and flash your hands as if you were going to quick jam the receiver.  Then use short or long pressure to get into coverage position.

Sub technique 4

Long pressure:  Feet are shoulder width, on the receivers movement you are to back pedal out leaning to your leverage to protect against the deep ball.  This technique is just another change up to the jam and quick jam.  After getting good contact on the receiver for a quarter or two you will find that the receiver will delay his self in order to avoid being jammed ultimately doing your job for you.  This allows you to get in position to play over the top of the receiver.

Man to Man Press Coverage

        Man to man press coverage is one of the most important techniques for a defensive football player to master.  This technique is used to destroy the timing of the offense and works hand in hand with the defensive pass rush.  The better tour defenders are at press coverage, jamming and covering, the more time your defenders will have to get to the quarterback.

         Man to man press coverage has to be re-taught, because since pee-wee league football we were taught to look at the quarter back.  At some point in the receiver’s route this becomes true, but more often then not, defensive backs and linebackers are loosing the receivers because they are looking at the quarterback too early.

You are not to look back at the quarterback until you feel the receiver is near the end of his route and you can touch the receiver.  From there you are in position to make the play.  

Here is a diagram of proper press coverage technique: