They are the last line of defense. Cornerbacks and safeties.

Typically smaller, quicker and more agile than the players in front of them, one mistake by a defensive back and it’s an open field to the end zone.

Let’s break down those players and how to maximize their talents, using the SAKR method.

Let me ask you a question: Do you find yourself telling players, “Practice makes perfect?”

Why do coaches say this then put unrealistic goals on players? Coaches need to ask the players for their best but not more.  As Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi said, “Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”

Be a better coach and allow your players to be successful by improving their skills with this approach to Cover 1 man below.

Stance

A great stance is where it all begins on defense. Failure to get the secondary in proper position is one of the leading causes for big plays.

Old Dominion defensive backs coach Sam Perryman teaches stance for corners and safeties this way:

Feet in the framework: narrow base and lean forward at the waist

“Z” in the knees

Weight slightly on the balls of the feet

Nose over toes

Arms hanging loosely, alert but relaxed

First step should be six inches

No false step, curl toes in the shoes

Don't rise up when coming out of your stance

Most of all, be comfortable

And as Perryman said: “Be comfortable in your stance, and I will tweak it to get the most out of you as a player. Coaching isn’t like painting by numbers because all players are different.”

Alignment

Cover 1 is one of the most popular coverage alignments for youth defensive coordinators with either press man or off man for the corners and strong safety. In recent years, NFL defensive coordinators are using it more and more as well.

Pressed coverage means the corners are right up on the line of scrimmage - like Darrelle Revis and Josh Norman like to do. In off-man coverage, corners line up about seven yards deep and one yard inside the receiver.

For the strong safety, play an inside shade on a slot receiver or tight end.

If the corner to the strong safety’s side is playing off, the safety should press in order to avoid pick routes by receivers. If a corner is pressed, then the strong safety should be five to seven yards off his man. This is called being at different levels.

The free safety, meanwhile, lines up 10 yards deep in the center of the field.

Keys

Keep it simple. Corners and safeties must remain focused on the player in front of them in press coverage. Like Perryman says, “Don’t stare at the quarterback. He won’t throw you the ball.”

Corners playing off need to protect against a three-step drop. When the ball is snapped, a corner should backpedal slowly by keying the QB for his first three steps, looking to jump on the ball if it is thrown quickly.

The faster a defensive back recognizes quick routes, the faster he will be able to break on the ball and make a play.

Strong safeties should never watch the QB at all unless facing a receiver with a wide split.

Free Safeties should drop back while looking at the quarterback’s eyes, keeping their heads on a swivel to look at receivers while getting depth.

Responsibility

Corners and strong safety have the same responsibility for Cover 1: Don’t let the player you are covering catch the football and don’t look back at the quarterback. Often, a corner who turns his head to look for the football loses his man or ground, which could in turn result in a completed pass.

Move up to stop the run only once the ball-carrier passes the line of scrimmage.

Cover 1 responsibility for the free safety is short and sweet. The free safety is the Alamo: Don’t let any player get behind you.

Use SAKR to improve your players’ skills and fundamentals on defense for years to come. Keep me updated on twitter @Coach_Stone_MT on how your defense responds.

Anthony Stone is a USA Football Regional Master Trainerand a physical education teacher at Gregory Elementary in Rockford, Ill. He has coached football at the youth, middle school, high school, college and indoor professional levels. He also is a coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team program.