This is an introductory discussion of press man (aligned in the face of the receiver) coverage technique.

First, a wee bit of background: I coached HS football for 12 years, the last 9 of which I coached WRs and DBs where I taught man coverage, which we played about a third of the time. I learned the techniques I used from people like Greg Brown (the guru not many have heard of), Bob Stoops, and Nick Saban.  I also learned a different technique from Bob Elliot, the son of Bump and secondary coach/DC at Kansas State in the early 2000s.

Second, a caveat: I haven't coached or studied man coverage techniques since I left coaching after the fall of 2008. That being said, it doesn't appear to my eye like the techniques have changed much, if at all.

To me, this is the classic story of deciding to do what is most effective vs. what will develop players the best for the NFL. You will see why shortly.

The two types of press man (not off man) coverage that I know are very similar, with one major difference: the technique just after the snap; i.e., on the receiver's release. The type that I coached--and that I prefer--has the DB give ground at the start of release, read the release of the receiver, open his hips in that direction, and then get a jam on the receiver. The type that I learned--and do not prefer--has the DB first get a soft, controlled jam and then use his footwork. The first type I will call cutoff man; the second, bump man.

Cutoff man is like playing man defense in basketball if you get to hand-check the hell out of the dribbler. In basketball, when playing man defense, the first step you take as a defender against any move that isn't an instant shot is a step backwards. If you don't, your man will instantly get to the side of you and have an avenue to drive to the basket. This is the principle of cutoff man: do not give the receiver an open lane down the field toward the end zone.

Cutoff man basically works like this for the DB:

• At first movement of the WR, give ground. You can do this by using a mini-backpedal, a compact kick-slide (like an OT in pass-pro), or compact bunny hops. Most use the mini-backpedal because they are used to the footwork from zone coverage.
• Do not initiate any contact until the receiver has declared his release inside or outside of you.
• When the receiver declares his release, open your hips on a 45 degree angle in the direction of his release
• Almost simultaneously, jam the receiver in the chest with the hand opposite of that direction. In other words, if he releases to my left, I jam him with my right hand. It is crucial that this jam is physical, like a jab in boxing, and also that your arm is straight with your elbow locked.
• The key is to not allow the receiver's hips outside of yours. In other words, your body must be between him and the end zone. (Stay between your man and the basket.)
• Your goal is to stay "in phase:" maintain your slight inside or outside leverage you started with, between your man and the end zone (he can't get behind you), and stay in contact with him

There is more minutiae that I could discuss, but it is not necessary for the purposes of this diary.

Bump man is primarily an NFL technique. They use this technique because (by rule, hardly ever called) they only have 5 yards in which to jam the receiver. Bump man basically works like this:

• At first movement of the receiver, jam him with your hand to that side to his pectoral area on that side. If he goes to my left, I jam his (to my perspective) left pec with my left hand.
• Simultaneously, step parallel in that same direction with your foot to that side. If he goes left, I step with my left. I stay square on this short step.
• After that the technique becomes pretty much identical.

I have not thoroughly studied the film of Michigan DBs in press man, nor have I seen Coach Zordich speak about man coverage technique at a clinic. Therefore, I cannot conclude what techniques they are employing, whether they are either of the above or something a little different.

What I can say is that the goal of being "in phase" is the goal of every press man technique. Michigan DBs (even those now in the league) struggled to get to being in phase without being very "handsy" (and getting away with a lot of defensive holding, last Saturday notwithstanding). It is my opinion that this is because our DBs have a philosophy of getting hands on the receiver first, and then using footwork to get in position, rather than the other way around. To my recollection, I have never seen a Michigan DB give ground at the receiver's first movement to read the release first and then using footwork plus a jam.

You can get away with doing that, or using the bump technique I described, only if you have elite athletes. Michigan does not have those at corner for the first time in the Harbaugh era, and we are witnessing the results.

The thing about cutoff man is that, counterintuitively, is a technique used to eliminate the speed advantage of a receiver. Please note that I said "speed advantage" and not "athletic advantage." Your DBs may not need great top end speed, but they do need quick feet and loose hips to be able to change direction with receivers. Their jam and hand work is what reduces the receivers' speed. Colorado in the 90s (Greg Brown) and K-State in the 90s (Stoops) used this technique with great success, not just with their studs (Deon Figures, e.g.) but also with DBs who ran 4.6 40s to cover all classes of receiver. Furthermore, it is my opinion that playing great zone coverage in the back end requires great athletes to cover ground in a hurry. Therefore, if you're playing defense with slower DBs, cutoff man is the best coverage to use.

I hope this was helpful and useful. Comments and questions are welcomed below.