Open Practice: Station Drills for Defense

with Kevin Donley,
University of Saint Francis Head Coach from 1998 to 2024;
356 career victories, the fifth most in college football history;
2024 Midwest League Coach of the Year;
2016 & 2017 NAIA National Champions;
3x NAIA National Runner-Up ('04-'06);
3x NAIA National Coach of the Year ('04, '16, '17);
2005 Schutt NAIA National Coach of the Year;
11x Mid-States Football Association Mideast League Coach of the Year;
back-to-back AFCA NAIA Region 4 Coach of the Year ('16 & '17);
14x MSFA Champions;
2013 NAIA Hall of Fame inductee;
2008 University of Saint Francis Hall of Fame inductee;
2005 Indiana Football Hall of Fame inductee;
California University of Pennsylvania Head Coach from 1993 to 1996;
Georgetown College (KY) Head Coach from 1982 to 1992;
2004 Georgetown College Hall of Fame;
1991 NAIA National Champions;
1991 NAIA Coach of the Year;
5x Mid-South Conference Champions;
Anderson University (IN) Head Coach from 1978 to 1981;
2017 Anderson University Athletics Hall of Fame inductee;
2x Hoosier-Buckeye Conference Champions;
Anderson University (IN) Assistant Coach/LB/DL/DC from 1976 to 1977;
Washington High School (IN) Head Coach from 1973 to 1975;
played college football at Anderson College

and Joey Didier,
University of Saint Francis Defensive Coordinator;
2016 FootballScoop.com NAIA Coordinator of the Year;
helped the 2016 SFU defense set a school record for sacks in a season (46);
helped the 2015 SFU defense tie the all-time NAIA record for interceptions returned for a touchdown (7)

Over the past several years, the University of Saint Francis has been one of the best programs at the NAIA level, and much of their success can be attributed to a stout defense. In this video, the staff of the 2016 and 2017 NAIA National Champions will break down how they ensure their defensive student-athletes are always ready to compete at their very best.

Drills for Each Position

Coach Joey Didier, St. Francis Defensive Coordinator, begins by showing several fundamental defensive back drills that focus on footwork, ball disruption, and reads. Pass rush technique for defensive lineman is also covered. Next, Coach Didier shows a circuit drill in which tackling, turnovers, and blow delivery techniques are worked on during a 10-minute period.

Coaching Points for Technique and Fundamentals

Didier and the St. Francis defensive staff walk through several drills while highlighting key coaching points related to technique and fundamentals. You will see several reps of 1-on-1 drills involving defensive backs vs. wide receivers, as well as pass rush featuring defensive lineman vs. offensive lineman. Additionally, several competitive drills that teach the fundamentals of punt coverage and return, as well as kickoff coverage and kickoff return, are shown.

Overall, this is a great addition to any defensive coach's library. With this video featuring the SFU defensive coaches, you and your staff will learn how to train champions on the defensive side of the ball!

62 minutes. 2020.