Pressure Defenses, Part II: Having the proper angle for each player is crucial in pursuing a ball carrier in space.

Last month’s issue included our defensive alignment and strategy as well as our different fronts and coverages. This month, we feature three different defensive pursuit drills.A crucial period of practice for us is our pursuit drill time. The focus is on getting aligned, proper communication, correct angles, and great effort. This drill sets the tempo for the rest of practice. Going hard every time and sprinting to the football is a point of pride for all of our players. We have three pursuit drills:•  “Oskie” Pursuit Drill: Oskie, a common term for an interception, alerts the defense that we have one. The defensive line and fourth rusher do an “up-down” – dropping from a standing position to a prone position and then getting back up as quickly as possible – and rush the QB in their proper lanes. If a stunt is called, the players involved execute the stunt and rush