Tracking Technique
Be ready for a Slip or a Block
One way to deal with Motion is to “Track” the Receiver.
This means a Defender follows the Motioning Receiver from one side of the Formation to the other.
When it’s “Jet” Motion, it happens late and fast.
Technique is key when Tracking a Jet.
Here are a couple key points.
How To Track
If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this:
A Tracking Defender should stay on the BACK HIP of the Jetting Receiver as they Track.
But there’s a downfall to this coaching point.
Players hear this, and they think it means they can be casual with their Track.
Not true.
A Tracking Defender must often run as fast as they can to keep a proper Back Hip relationship with the Receiver.
There are typically two things a Jetting Receiver will do:
Option #1: Jetting Receiver Slips
The Jetting Receiver can “Slip” and run a Route.
Because of their angle, this is typically a Flat Route, but it could also turn into a Wheel.
Basically, the Offence is trying to gain an advantage in both numbers and leverage.
Good Tracking technique takes those advantages away.
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Now back to today’s article…
Option #2: Jetting Receiver Blocks
This can be challenging, and technique is key.
When the Receiver Blocks, the Tracking Defender must quickly transition from a full-out sprint to becoming a Box Player and playing the Run.
To do this, the Tracking Defender must come to balance, square up, and get to their Run Fit.
Final Thoughts
A final coaching point is that the EYES are important here.
Once you become a Tracking Defender, you must keep your eyes on the Jetting Receiver.
That’s the only way to know if the Jetting Receiver is going to Slip or Block.
All the best,
Jon Svec
Defensive Coordinator
St. Francis Xavier University
X-Men Football
Email: jsvec@stfx.ca
Twitter: @jonsvecx
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