As many of the coaches I interact with regularly are well aware, I am a staunch proponent of Bump and Run pass coverage. I feel that for the youth level, and even up into high school, there is no better form of pass coverage than bump and run.

Before you can make a sweeping generalization such as that, you had better have your ducks in a row and be able to defend the position. I think that by the time you finish this article, you'll understand why I feel the way I do, and know what you need to do to be able to adequately teach your own team how to use these techniques.

Most youth football coaches use zone pass coverage. This isn't because they particularly like it, but rather because they use defenses that are structured for it. For example, the two most common defenses in youth football are the 5-3 and the 6-2. It is physically impossible for linebackers in the 5-3 to cover a running back man-to-man and still be in position to defense their assigned gaps against certain formations. The same holds true for the 6-2, which usually places the linebackers in the open gaps behind the six man line.

Zone pass coverage has a large number of advantages that man-to-man doesn't have. For example, if the opposing team has an enormous speed advantage, the use of zone coverage means that your players are playing the ball rather than a single receiver. As long as they make a quick cut, and keep that receiver underneath them, they'll have a good chance to deflect or intercept the pass, because they are always looking at the quarterback, rather than worrying about where the receiver is.

Zone is stronger against the run, too, because all of the defensive backs are looking into the offensive backfield and in position to see handoffs. This can improve the reaction time of the entire defense, as the safeties and corners screech "Run!" as soon as the ball is handed off.

The problem is that this is a double edged sword. It takes enormous amounts of discipline for a defensive back to remain in his zone long enough to make an accurate read. Unlike defensive linemen and linebackers, there is no one behind the defensive backs, so one mistake on their part generally results in a touchdown. Since the defensive backs are looking into the offensive backfield, they are more prone to bite on fakes and leave coverage early.

Don't forget, also, that most youth football players want to play football. Imagine being a cornerback in a zone-based defense that does nothing for eighteen straight plays but backpedal a few steps and watch a linebacker or defensive lineman make the tackle. By the sixth offensive play, you're going to start cutting that backpedal short, and by the fifteenth, you probably won't be backpedaling at all. Instead, you're going to hop up and down in place, 'looking concerned' and then charge forward to get in on the tackle. You'll do this even when the receiver runs right past you.

One of my favorite things to do as an offensive coordinator is to watch corners playing a zone. Since I run a predominately run-oriented offense, it sometimes appears that I have poured itching powder into the other teams' defensive backs' game pants. By the third play, usually, they're hopping around and torn between their frustrated desire to get in on a play, and the knowledge that their area of responsibility is downfield.

Another problem with zone based coverage is the lack of a pass rush. There are six short zones. By this definition I mean that there are six areas of the field in which a defender must be standing in order to be close enough to make an attempt to prevent the short pass from being completed. One player can only cover so much ground, and as a result, the closer the zones get to the quarterback, the smaller they become because the ball has less distance to travel.

Behind these short zones are three deeper zones. These areas of the field are much larger, because the ball must be in flight for several seconds to get there, and the defender in these areas can cover more ground as a result.

Figure 1.1 demonstrates these zones.

Figure 1.1: Nine passing zones.

If it were possible to station a defender in each of these zones and still maintain an adequate pass rush, pass defense would be easy. Unfortunately, the rules dictate that the defense can only have eleven men on the field. This means that if you wish to run a zone coverage that will cover every pass thrown, you will only have two men available to rush the passer.

At the youth level, it is much more difficult to train a player to stay in a zone, but teaching pass rushing is a simple matter of saying, "Billy, bring me one of the quarterback's ears." As a result, if we can maximize our pass rush, we can increase our chances of preventing that pass from ever being thrown. A two man pass rush, while adequate for 4th and fifty with three seconds left in the game in the NFL, is nothing short of ridiculous at the youth level.

Man-to-man pass coverage avoids these pitfalls, especially as I teach it. A season as defensive backs coach of Tomales High School has aided me enormously in my understanding of pass coverages, and done nothing but reinforce my beliefs that bump and run is the best form of pass defense. It covers every receiver, while still allowing a six man pass rush. Moreover, if the defensive players are properly focused on the men they cover, they'll never even see play action, much less get suckered in by it.

Before we go any further, understand that man-to-man coverage also has its own set of drawbacks. If you face a significant speed differential, you will have problems covering receivers downfield. The closeness of bump coverage eliminates the 'cushion' of space between the receiver and the defensive back, and can allow a quick offensive player to get behind the coverage. It is for this reason that I am not much of a fan of cover zero, in which the free safety plays man-on (generally on a tight end, allowing the strong side linebacker to blitz). One player back in deep zone coverage is usually necessary.

Generally, the pass defenders will be too focused on the men they cover to maintain a correct position against a rushing attack, so it is vital that defensive linemen and linebackers take responsibility for stopping the offense's ability to run the football. While defensive backs can and will make tackles, if you are using this coverage you are assigning them the primary responsibility of covering receivers, and they simply can't be in place to do both at once.

Bump and run is comprised of two specific responsibilities: Bump and Run. You cannot neglect either one! Several coaches I have debated this coverage with have pointed out their successes against bump and run as proof that the coverage is ineffective. Almost universally, these successes have been as a result of a breakdown at one point or another in these two responsibilities.

Remember, this coverage is called bump and run, not bump or run! In order to use this effectively, you absolutely must teach your players to do both.

Stance -

Like everything else on the football field, proper body positioning is crucial to the success of bump and run coverage. A period of time spent studying film of the few times in the 2001 season that the Tomales High School defensive backs were beaten deep has shown that each time, it was within the first two steps of the pass route. Incorrect body position can hamper the most athletic of players.

To begin with, the player should approach the line of scrimmage and establish an inside shade relationship to the receiver they will cover. They should be aligned at a 45-degree angle inward from the receiver's inside shoulder.

Teach your players to look to the line judge on every play. Defensive players are not allowed to align in, or to penetrate, the neutral zone prior to the snap. Universally, even at the high school level, if a player is unsure whether or not he is across this line, a quick glance to the line judge can get them straightened out without a penalty. If they fail to make certain, however, and the quarterback begins his cadence, they will be flagged for encroachment and the offense will be given five free yards.

After taking the inside shade to his man, the defensive back must then prepare himself for the play by taking the correct body positioning. For zone defense, a defensive back should have his outside foot up. This places him in a position angled slightly inward and able to see the offensive backfield.

However, this is precisely what we do not want in man-to-man coverage. The defensive back should be completely focused on his receiver. He does not care what's going on in the offensive backfield. As a result, the inside foot must be up, as close to the line of scrimmage as allowed, and the outside foot should be back enough to place the defensive back at a 45-degree angle to the receiver.

I prefer a narrow, feet less than shoulder-width, stance that allows rapid movement in all directions. Hands should be loosely held at roughly waist level. The hips should be down, but the back must be straight and the head must be up. Consider this a tighter, more compact version of "hitting position" or "linebacker stance". Keep the knees and lower back flexed and able to explode as soon as the receiver makes a sudden movement, and keep the weight on the balls of the feet.

The defensive back's focus must be entirely on the receiver's belt and hips. Never allow the eyes to drift any higher than the bottom of the receiver's numbers. I tell my players constantly, "If that guy heads to the snack bar, you better be able to tell me what he ordered," and, "If he stops to kiss a cheerleader, I want to know what color his panties were." (It works with high school kids.)

At the snap -

There are two different primary techniques that can be used in bump and run coverage. Respectively, they are the two handed and one handed jabs.

Generally, I prefer a two handed jab, since it offers the most powerful blow, and the greatest chance to knock the receiver from his feet. From a defender's point of view, the best pass route to defense is the one that never leaves the line of scrimmage. Or, as I tell my players, "Knocking the receiver down saves you the trouble of chasing his ass all over the field."

The two hand jab begins with a 45-degree step in the direction of the receiver's first step. It is very important that you understand I do not mean the receiver's first movement. The defensive back must quickly react to the receiver's first attempt to leave the line of scrimmage and step sharply into that step.

Both palms should be jabbed hard into the receiver's pectorals. The defensive back should not wind up, but instead quick draw from the lowered hands position. Above all, do not reach for the receiver. Reaching will cause the defensive back to overbalance, and by the time he recovers, the receiver will be long gone. (Remember those first two steps?) The defender should also avoid spreading the feet too wide, as this hampers the ability to move quickly in every direction. They must keep coiled and ready to explode any way the receiver tries to go.

No matter what happens, two things must occur: 1) the receiver cannot be allowed to take an inside release, and 2) the receiver must always be rerouted from his intended path.

The one hand jab is played in very similar fashion. On the receiver's first sudden movement, the defensive back should drive the inside hand sharply into the receiver's inside pectoral while taking an open 'bail' step with his outside foot. This should bring him perpendicular to the line of scrimmage, with his back facing the quarterback, and him facing the sideline.

The one hand jab does not have the power of the two hand jab, but it attacks the receiver at more of an angle, generally forcing him to turn his hips or stumble to the side. This can greatly assist in re-routing him from his intended route.

Above all, defensive backs must protect the inside area and deny the inside release. (A quick rule of thumb is to remember where the help is. In zone defenses there will be outside linebackers taking the short zones, so the receiver can be forced inward and denied an outside release. In man-to-man, the only help is the sideline, because the linebackers are playing their men or blitzing.) Under absolutely no circumstances whatsoever should a receiver be allowed to take an inside release. If he fights that hard to go inward, maintain constant body pressure and ride him into the offensive line, but never let him free to run a pass route to the inside.

The two most difficult passes to complete at the youth level are the quick out and the fly or streak route. Because of this, we are allowing the receivers to run those routes more easily, and relying on the pressure from the defensive line and blitzing linebackers to interfere with the careful timing each one requires. Both of those pass routes are to the outside, away from the middle of the field. That's fine. That's where we want the receiver to go, as long as he stays the hell away from the middle.

Coverage -

No matter how effective the bump is, it won't work all of the time. As a result, it is vital that you teach your players to cover once the receiver breaks contact and heads downfield. Failure here generally results in a significant gain for the offense, or even a touchdown. If your defenders are going to be good at one half of the bump and run, make it this half.

Pass coverage downfield revolves around two specific body positions relative to the receiver's hips. These positions are trail position, and cutoff position

Trail position is defined as lagging slightly behind the receiver and able to reach out and touch his back pocket with one hand. If the defensive back is in this position while the receiver is running his route then he is covering him properly and will be in position to make a play. If the defensive back is not in trail position, then he will almost never be able to get into cutoff position. There can be no excuse for not being in trail position. Get there!

Cutoff position is slightly to the inside of the receiver and able to reach out and touch his front pocket with one hand. It is from this position that the defensive back will be able to make a play on the ball and either deny or intercept. As soon as the receiver makes his cut the defender should move to cutoff position and be ready to play the receiver's hands.

At all times when covering a downfield route the defender should keep his focus on the receiver's hips. Once the receiver moves past fifteen yards (ten at the youth level) then the defender can assume the route is a fly or streak, and raise his eyes to the receiver's face.

When covering the streak, defenders should look back for the ball when the receiver does, but they should always turn towards the receiver. This keeps the receiver in view, and if he makes any last instant cuts or moves to play the ball, the defender will be able to see them and react.

On all shorter routes of three to ten yards the defender should play the receiver's hands.

Drills -

Drills should be carefully selected to reinforce both aspects of the coverage daily.

1) Quick Draw - Position your defensive backs in two lines facing one another. One line is designated the receivers, and the other is designated the defensive backs. Position yourself in the middle of the group, and able to see as much as possible.

The receivers start each repetition. They should freeze for one second to mimic the one second that the entire offense must be still before the snap, and then they should take one step as if they were beginning a pass route. The defensive backs should:

a) Take proper initial position relative to the receiver (45-degree inward).

b) Be in the correct stance.

c) Correctly execute the one or two hand jab on the receiver's movement.

d) Avoid winding up before delivering the blow.

After three or four reps to each side, switch receivers and defenders. This should be the first drill you teach to your players, and should be part of your daily workouts throughout the season.

2) Play the hands - This drill is done without a ball to reinforce the correct focus on the receiver. Position a single receiver and defensive back together. Prior to the snap, give the receiver an assigned pass route to run. At the snap the receiver should run the route as designated, and raise his hands as if to make a catch at the proper time. The defensive back should:

a) Take the proper initial position and stance before the snap.

b) Always re-route the receiver with a correctly executed one or two hand jab.

c) Establish the correct trail position once the receiver clears the line.

d) Move to the correct cutoff position when the receiver looks back for the ball.

e) Play the receiver's hands without committing pass interference.

This drill is the most effective one I have ever used for teaching the defensive backs to focus on the receivers at all times. It should be the second drill taught to the players, and should also be used daily.

3) Streak coverage - Position a single receiver and defensive back together. At the snap, the receiver runs a fly or streak pattern of varying depth, looking back at three, five, or seven steps depending on your age group and strength of arm. The defensive backs should:

a) Take the proper initial position and stance before the snap.

b) Always re-route the receiver with a correctly executed one or two hand jab.

c) Establish the correct trail position once the receiver clears the line.

d) Move to the correct cutoff position and look over the correct shoulder, keeping the receiver in view, when he looks back for the ball.

e) Play the receiver's hands without committing pass interference.

This drill should be used at least once a week to reinforce the correct coverage skills necessary to properly defense the fly route.

4) Seven on seven - Using the scouting report of your team's upcoming opponent, align a scout offense with all eligible receivers. Place your defensive backfield, including linebackers, against them. As rapidly as possible, run your opponent's passing plays, including any play action, and paying special attention to any trick plays such as the 'hook and lateral', or to any exceptional athletes the opposing team may have. During the preseason, take selected passing plays from each offense you faced the previous year and call them randomly. The defensive backs should:

a) Properly locate the receiver they are assigned to cover according to the specific coverage rules of your defense.

b) Take the proper initial position and stance before the snap.

c) Always re-route the receiver with a correctly executed one or two hand jab.

d) Establish the correct trail position once the receiver clears the line.

e) Move to the correct cutoff position when the receiver looks back for the ball.

f) Play the receiver's hands without committing pass interference.

Seven on seven drills should be done weekly at the very least. Teams that are able to practice four or more days a week, or teams that practice offense and defense on different days of the week should do a seven on seven period at least once every defensive practice.

Playing defensive back requires a special kind of mentality. At the corner position, there is no room for error, no time for mistakes. One foot in the wrong position, one jab thrown an ounce or two too hard, and you'll be out of position to make a play. The position also requires a short memory to deal with the few times when you do make a mistake. Defensive linemen and linebackers have a safety net behind them when they foul up, but as a defensive back, you are the safety net... and there's no one else!

One thing I try to instill in my defensive backs is a definite sense of pride; a belief that they are the best players at their position on the field. I do not condone any form of unsportsmanlike conduct, but I do encourage them to be angry when the opposing offense throws a football into their area or to their man.

"Hey!" I tell them, "Why do you think the offense tried to throw that pass? Because they didn't think you were good enough to stop them!

"You should be enraged. You should be furious when the offense has the audacity to try to complete a pass into your area!"

A rare few of the players I've been privileged to coach have had that mentality. Without a doubt they have been the most enjoyable kids to work with, and the best part of why I became a coach. There's nothing finer than seeing a third string player make a perfect play to preserve a playoff win, or seeing the frustration in the opposing offensive coordinator's eyes after you've picked him off four times in a single half.

I never claimed to be a nice guy. I'm a defensive back.

Further information on coaching bump and run pass coverage can be obtained from the video Bump and Run by Greg Brown, formerly of the University of Colorado. I obtained my copy from www.coacheschoice.com.

Good luck.

~D.