The thing that still concerns me about Oregon secondary is on long balls they don't turn on the ball, see ball and deflect ball. Instead many times they have their backs to the ball arms out not knowing where ball is. In Pop Warner, & HS as a DB that was basic teaching & drill. Yep, Cal got a TD in the corner without our db knowing where the ball was.
It seems like such a simple thing to do. When you see the receiver turn and look up, you ALSO turn and look up. Pretty basic.
I've talked to multiple DB coaches about this and they all say it's far trickier than people think. Turning your head will cause the corner to lose speed, there is no certainty they'll be able to find the ball, and it makes tackling much more difficult if there is a reception. In a perfect world, the DB will be next to the sideline and their teammates will let them know to turn, but those scenarios are not the norm.
Just install those rear view mirrors like in the awesome spy sunglasses you could order from the back of a magazine.
That's way too low-tech. Rear view helmet cam with image projected onto the player's visor. Uncle Phil can pay.
Usually the receiver has his head turn and watching for the ball and he to will slow down. If the receiver has a height advantage and the db doesn't know whether the ball is kits usually a catch or pi. I played 4 years of hs , as db , mid 60's, and I know what its like to be on an island not knowing where the ball is, versus turning on the ball near the same time as the receiver, and jumping to deflect the ball or possible intercept. Especially when there is a height disadvantage. If you watch passes to the coffin corner or corner end zone, the guys that get scored on usually dont see the ball and the ones that play it correctly can disrupt play.
Football Tips (Defensive Back): How To Defend The Deep BallYouTube · CoachUp1 minute, 23 secondsOct 6, 2013
I appreciate your experience from the 60's and the YouTube video. I didn't mean to imply that the college coaches I've spoke with about this think turning your head is bad, but that it can be the wrong move at times. I'm guessing if you were defending a guy running a 4.5 40, turning your head would be far less effective. I also think the Oregon DBs have been much improved in turning their head since the Texas Tech game. If it were easy and clearly the right move, every DB would do it.
