Here is the pursuit drill we'll be using in our 4-2-5 defense that bases out of a match-up quarters coverage. Cones 1-5 are spaced 2 1/2 yards apart with 5 yards between the remaining cones covering a total of 25 yards. This pursuit drill is designed to simulate the angles players should run against an outside sweep and really any ball as our defensive line plays BDSD (Block-Down-Step-Down) which should result in the ball-carrier being spilled outside.
The drill will begin with ball movement and each player executing appropriate stances and starts watched closely by their position coaches. After recognizing the direction of the football, all players will sprint straight to their cone with the exception of the backside defensive end and backside safety. The responsibility of the backside defensive end is to check for CBR (Counter-Boot-Reverse) at a depth of 5 yards. Meanwhile, the backside safety is responsible for CW (cutback and waggle). As players approach their cone they will begin to chop their feet and breakdown their stance before performing a simulated tackle on air before turning and sprinting to get a team breakdown on the deepest cone. After this they sprint back to the line of scrimmage until they complete 3 or 4 downs to get a defensive "win" and get off the field. Occasionally, I like to mix in an interception or fumble expecting all players to hustle to get in front of their teammate as they return the ball to the nearest cone 1.
Cone responsibilities by position:
5 tech and 7 tech: play-side to cone 2, backside CBR to cone 6
1 tech and 3 tech: play-side to cone 3, backside to cone 4
Stud: play-side to cone 1, backside slow-flow to cone 6
Sam: plays-side to cone 2, backside to cone 2
Will: play-side to cone 1, backside to cone 3
Corners: play-side to cone 5, backside to cone 8
Safeties: play-side to cone 1, backside CW to cone 7
The drill will begin with ball movement and each player executing appropriate stances and starts watched closely by their position coaches. After recognizing the direction of the football, all players will sprint straight to their cone with the exception of the backside defensive end and backside safety. The responsibility of the backside defensive end is to check for CBR (Counter-Boot-Reverse) at a depth of 5 yards. Meanwhile, the backside safety is responsible for CW (cutback and waggle). As players approach their cone they will begin to chop their feet and breakdown their stance before performing a simulated tackle on air before turning and sprinting to get a team breakdown on the deepest cone. After this they sprint back to the line of scrimmage until they complete 3 or 4 downs to get a defensive "win" and get off the field. Occasionally, I like to mix in an interception or fumble expecting all players to hustle to get in front of their teammate as they return the ball to the nearest cone 1.
Cone responsibilities by position:
5 tech and 7 tech: play-side to cone 2, backside CBR to cone 6
1 tech and 3 tech: play-side to cone 3, backside to cone 4
Stud: play-side to cone 1, backside slow-flow to cone 6
Sam: plays-side to cone 2, backside to cone 2
Will: play-side to cone 1, backside to cone 3
Corners: play-side to cone 5, backside to cone 8
Safeties: play-side to cone 1, backside CW to cone 7
Prior to this season I've relied on pursuit drill similar to the ones shown above in which all players have specified cones. This upcoming season, after introducing players to their ideal pursuit paths I plan on adjusting the drill to have players simply pursue to be the first to reach the lowest numbered cone possible with no players running to the same cone. Basically, if a player has already reached a cone, the next player should aim for a deeper cone. I feel that this should give a more realistic feel to the drill as players are have to adjust based on the position of teammates and opponents. I envision that the drill will look something like this: