Reading the Proper Visual Keys - A True Essential In Stopping the Run

Effective defensive line play in football involves much more than three or four guys butting heads with the offensive line. Numerous physical techniques – hand placement, stance, shedding blockers, etc. – have been developed and refined in an attempt to overcome the offense’s built-in advantage of knowing where the play is going. All too often, an equally important mental technique which directly addresses this issue is overlooked. At West Liberty University, we devote significant time and effort to teaching our players how to read and respond to visual keys quickly and effectively. It is an axiom of our profession that a defense’s first priority is stopping the run. Reading and reacting rapidly to the visual keys provided by the offense is a critical element in developing a good run-stopping defense. The effective use of visual keys tells the defense what play is being run