Man-to-man
Follow one receiver everywhere.
In man-to-man, each defender follows one receiver for the whole play.
- Line up one step off your receiver and a little to the inside.
- Watch their belt, not their eyes. Hips tell you where they are going.
- Strong against short, quick throws.
- Weak against crossers: defenders get stuck in traffic. That is why play 6, Cross, works.
Many coaches start the season in zone and add man-to-man later.
Words in this lesson
- Man-to-man
- Each defender follows one receiver everywhere they go.
- Defense
- The other team. They stop the play by pulling the ball carrier's flag, or by catching or knocking down the throw.
- Crossers
- Receivers who run across the field. They are hard for man-to-man defenders to follow through traffic.
Put it to work at practiceOpen the playbook