In a football scoreboards feature, I have continued my review of the combine drill. The final group of athletes to work out every year at the combine is the defensive backs. Out of all the drills for defensive backs, the favorite of the coaches at the combine is the “speed turn” drill.
What Happens In The Drill?
A coach will start a defensive back at a back paddle, which is the basis for everything a defensive back does. The coach starts the defensive back at a back paddle of 5 – 10 yards, and then (the coach) will motion the athlete to comeback towards him. Therefore, the athlete is changing directions during his paddle. He moves towards the coach and then the coach gives the athlete a speed turn direction. This simulation emulates a scenario much like in a man-to-man play. This is a double move in which the athlete will have to plant, pivot, keep his weight and hips down, turn and go. This leaves the athlete’s back completely to the quarterback, like it would be in a speed turn in man-to-man. At approximately 15 to 20 yards, as the athlete is running, he has to turn around and locate the football.
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