how BK wants DB's to play...discussed at presser
how BK wants DB's to play...discussed at presser
I know some of you have been interested in this in recent weeks, so I'll post Kelly's complete answer below. He did a nice job explaining today how Notre Dame's defensive backs are coached to play a receiver when the ball is in the air.
Basically, if a DB is running hip to hip with his receiver they want the DB to turn and find the ball to make a play. If the receiver is a step out in front they want them to keep running and "rake the basket," which means rip their arm between the receiver's arms to try to knock the ball loose as it lands.
Kelly said he thought the secondary was much improved from the start of the season in that department.
He also made some interesting comments about defending back-shoulder throws -- a growing weapon for almost every good offense in college and pro football in the past few years. He said the best shot defenses have to stop those plays is to recognize tendencies and formations before the snap and prepare for that type of a throw.
"In phase, out of phase. In phase, hip to hip, turn, and play the ball. So if you're in phase, hip to hip with the receiver, turn and play the ball. Out of phase, don't turn and rake through the basket. We call the basket where the hands for the receiver are in a position. So it's an in phase, out of phase technique discussion as it relates to playing the ball. Don't put the hands up. Don't faceguard. If you're not in phase, you're trying to get the strip and rip through and dislodge the football."
Nick Saban schools you on how to play pass coverage | Smart Football
