Research Report: WR Separation Off Press Coverage

By Sam Nichols
X&O Labs Managing Editor
Former Wide Receiver Coach
Hope College (MI)
Twitter: @SNicholsXOLabs

Introduction:

One of the top drill and technique requests in our annual survey was wide receiver release techniques against press coverage. We reached out to some of the offensive coordinators and receiver coaches around the country and compiled a set of drills from 8 coaches. It is important to note that each of these coaches felt it was important to group the press release concepts with basic footwork at the line of scrimmage as well as secondary release techniques. Many of these drill tapes will include those concepts as well.

The coaches who participated in this report are as follows (in alphabetical order):

Jared Ambrose: Offensive Coordinator, Towson University (MD), @CoachJambrose

Marlon Barnett: Wide Receivers Coach, LA Harbor CC, @iamcoachB

Ossie Buchannon: Wide Receiver Coach, Berry College (GA)

Brian Scott: Offensive Coordinator, Old Dominion University (VA), @ODUOC

Brad Spencer: Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator, North Central College (IL), @CoachSpence_NCC

Eric Treske: Co-Offensive Coordinator, Lakeland College (WI), @LCCoachTreske

Denver Williams: Wide Receiver, Trinity College (CT), @_coachdwilliams

Stan Zweifel: Head Football Coach, University of Dubuque (IA), @StanZweifel

Brian Scott: Offensive Coordinator, Old Dominion University (VA), @ODUOC

Speed Release Drill

Equipment

• 2-3 Shields / Coaches to hold Shields
• 1 Football

Process / Coaching Points

• Off at snap of the ball
• Press to get vertical
• On the rip, get as skinny as possible. Don’t give surface area to defender
• Stack back on the line