Free Safety Questions

Question
Hi.  My name is Russell and I am a sophmore in high school.  I currently weigh 120lbs and am 5'6".  I run a 5.5 40 and I play free safety.  I really enjoy playing the position, however, many coaches and players feel that I should not be playing there.  I enjoy the hitter not hittee aspect, and I was wondering if you had any suggestions on how I can practice my coverages.  My school mainly runs cover 2 and 3.  It would be great to hear a response from you.

Thanks
-Russell

Answer
Russell
First off, I have tow philosophies: 1, play the position you enjoy and don't listen to your friends as you are the one playing the position. 2, play a position that can best help your team.  Your coach will or should place you in a position you can play well and that will help the team the most.   No one like to get hit.  But being able to tackle well or block well is a fun aspect to the game.  As a sophomore, you are still developing physically and as a football player.  An excellent way to practice your coverages at this stage is to watch film, lots of film.  It can be film of any football game at any level.  

The goal is to watch the film as if you were on the field as a safety.  Don't watch the safety position, Read the formation of the offense.  Identify your keys.  Read run, pass... then think through how you will react.  In your mind view the film as if you are in Cover 1 or 2 or in a nickle prevent, etc.

The next way to practice is to visualize different formations and routes and how you will cover them. Visualize yourself in Cover 1, 2, 3, etc.  Then visualize differnt routes and formations and visualize every step you take to defend the coverage.  Start out visualizing in slow motion or step by step.  Close your eyes and concentrate as you visualize.  Do this exercise every day for 5-20 minutes.  Change the variations of the scenarios you visualize.  This visualization technique is simple and easy and will really help you.  When you are out on the field and it happens for real, you will know how to react like second nature because you have already seen the play in your mind's eye.  Try it at night before you go to sleep.  You will find that come summer practice you will run coverages without a problem.