What Makes a Good Cornerback?
What Makes a Good Cornerback
A cornerback’s primary responsibility is to guard wide receivers. He must be able to cover them effectively, and he must also have the speed and technique to intercept passes or knock them out of the air before they can get to their receivers.
In order to be successful at this position, a cornerback must have excellent hands. This ability is critical because he must be able to recognize when a receiver is about to receive a pass and react in time to prevent him from getting open.
Knowing a receiver’s route tree, running style and mentality is important for a cornerback to be successful. This allows him to recognize when a receiver will be going to certain routes, which can help him determine how he will adjust his coverage.
One of the best ways to develop your ability to be a good cornerback is to watch film and practice drills. You should focus on your hip rotations, backpedaling and making sure you can change direction quickly when the ball is snapped. This is a key skill to have because it will allow you to be more effective in all situations, including when you’re facing the line of scrimmage.
You should also focus on your technique and your footwork. Your first three steps should always be backwards, as this will prevent you from allowing the offensive player to pull down the ball and get free. You should also keep your strides short to avoid requiring your hands to get out of the way.
To become a good cornerback, you must be able to play in a variety of different coverages. This will include man to man, single and zone. In man to man, the cornerback is assigned to a particular receiver, and he may jam the receiver at the line of scrimmage or play a few yards off him to give him some space to run.
A great corner will also be able to play in Cover-2 or in the Red Zone. This coverage is often used in the game’s most dangerous passing situations, and it allows a defensive back to take away quick passes from an offense that is throwing them at historic rates.
Another benefit of playing in Cover-2 or in the Red Zone is that it helps a defensive back to attack an offense’s run game and blitzing schemes, which can result in blindside hits on the quarterback and tackles for loss against running plays.
Being able to play in these coverages and with a high level of discipline is what makes a good cornerback. This is why it’s so important to practice every week.
Whether you’re a high schooler or a college player, it’s important to make sure you’re doing everything you can to become the best defensive back that you can be. By doing so, you’ll be able to excel at your position and help you earn the recognition that you deserve in the NFL.
