- 1). Work in your free time on backpedaling, criss-crossing your feet and cutting in every direction so it will become second nature in game situations. Work also on maintaining proper balance.
- 2). On shorter routes, backpedal until the receiver makes his first cut, then cut with him. Stay step-for-step with the receiver on crossing patterns, preferably in front to prevent him from boxing you out. Awareness of a possibility that the receiver will take off deep is critical, however. Give up the short pass rather than the long one if necessary.
- 3
A hard, clean hit could keep the receiver from snagging the ball
Play the ball! Play the receiver first, but maintain eye contact because that will tell you if the ball is on the way. Knock it away hard if you can. If not, smack it hard after it hits the receiver's hands to make certain he can't secure it. A strong hit on the receiver can also prevent him from maintaining control of the ball. - 4
Slide in front of the receiver for an interception only if you have time
Remember that the ball is as much yours as it is the receiver's. Go for the interception if possible, but don't take chances. Don't cut in front of a receiver to try for an interception unless you're certain you can make it in time. If you can't, the receiver will catch the ball and run a long way because you're not there to tackle him. - 5). Secure the tackle! Don't lament the fact that the receiver has caught the ball. Wrap him up and take him down immediately. Don't worsen matters by allowing him to slip away and gain even more yards.
- 6). Use the sideline to your advantage. Let the receiver catch the ball if you know he will be out of bounds when he does. Don't allow a receiver to go up straight for a catch along the sideline. Even if you push him out of bounds, the referee will allow the catch. Continue playing the ball until you're sure the receiver can't catch it inbounds.
