Pursuit angles

Setup

1. Contact level: air. No tackling: the defence finishes with a two-hand touch on the ball carrier.
2. Defenders line up in their positions on one side of the line of scrimmage.
3. The coach stands in the backfield with a ball; a quick runner is the ball carrier.
4. Put two cones on each sideline, 10 and 20 yards downfield, as finish points.

How it runs

1. The coach tosses the ball to the ball carrier, who runs hard for one sideline and then turns upfield.
2. Every defender sprints their own angle to cut the carrier off in front, not to chase them from behind.
3. The first defender to arrive makes a two-hand touch; everyone else keeps running to the touch point.
4. The coach whistles, the defence jogs back and realigns, and the next toss goes the other way.
5. Six to eight reps, alternating sides, with 20 to 30 seconds' rest between reps.

Coaching points

• Turn and run on the toss. The first three steps decide the rep.
• The deeper a player starts, the steeper the angle they take to the sideline.
• Aim at a point in front of the ball carrier, and keep the ball on the inside shoulder.
• The backside defensive end stays home for a reverse or cutback before pursuing.
• Arrive under control: buzz the feet before the touch.

Common mistakes

• Running straight at the carrier and ending up behind them.
• Everyone taking the same flat angle, which leaves no cover for the cutback.
• Jogging once someone else gets there first.