D-Backs: Playing with Low Pad Level

One of the most important fundamental concepts that we stress in the secondary at Iowa State University is playing with low pad level. We believe as a staff that this improves the capabilities of our players in two ways. First, low pad level allows us to have phenomenal power when striking a ball carrier or when disengaging from a blocker. Second, it allows for quicker cuts and breaks, especially within the secondary. I have had the opportunity to work with both the linebackers as well as the defensive backs in our system, and I believe that playing with low pad level is equally important to both positions. Some believe that taking players out of a comfort zone and forcing them to play low is counter productive. I believe that playing with low pad level is a teachable technique that can be made comfortable over time and has extensive benefits to merit its attention in