Defensive back /corner back

Question
hi there, in ma training lately i have been told that in ma corner back stance, i look uncomfortable but i feel normal and when i accelerate off the mark i still feel fine but i just got to improve my foot work. Is there a way to make this situation any better, thanks

Answer
Ross -

Thanks for writing.  Well, the first thing to understand is that you are the one having to cover these guys.  IF you are comfortable in a stance that looks weird, but is effective for you, then do not worry about changing it.  Now if the stance you are in is hurting your game, then you should think about changing it.  

AS for footwork, there are a few ways to improve.  Start by doing a lot of drills.  Box runs, sprints to backpeddles, etc.  Get used to starting, stopping, cutting, pivoting, etc.  This will get your feet and brain on the same page.

The secong and probably most important step will not really take place until you start your season.  Each team, each player, has certain tendencies.  It can be subtle, or glaring, but they are there.  So each week when you watch the opposing team's film, start paying great attention to the man / men you will be covering.  You will start to notice small things that will give away their routes.  It might be that when he holds his hands up near his facemask, he will be running a quick 3-5 yd route.  Then later, he might have his arms lower at his sides, preparing to sprint hard up the field.  Picking up on these can be the ultimate way of getting your job done. If you can know what the WR will be doing, you have a 100x better chance of making a play on the ball.

Lastly, study the routes a WR will run.  If you do not know them, its hard to cover them.  As the WR is running the route, your brain should naturally be crossing out the routes he coudnt be doing, leaving you a few choices to pick from.  Example would be if he starts off the line and goes further than 10 yds, he is most likely not ruuning any slants or curls (unless the QB has a gun).  So you are thinking fly, post, corner, deep angle or out?  And then use what you know about that player and that teams play calling to try and pick it out.  You will find that knowing these aspects of the game makes all the difference in the world.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

Best wishes

Coach Perl