When defending the deep ball, there are three basic ways you can defend the ball, ranging from the zone turn to the classic bat down.

Learning each of these techniques will increase your chances of stopping the pass and/or grabbing an interception, without risking a huge play over the top.

Bat Down

The first is the classic bat down. Regardless of the technique, you’re always going to  need to have to keep your eyes on the receiver, reading their reaction to the incoming ball. If it’s a well thrown ball, and the receiver doesn’t need to break their stride, you’re going to want to make sure to just deflect the ball and get the incompletion.

When the ball is near and the receiver starts to get his hands ready, you’re going to want to put you’re outside hand on the receivers hip, and bring the inside hand up across his body, blocking his eyes if possible. When the ball comes down in, bat forward, going through the receivers arms and ensuring that there is no way they catch the ball.

Underthrown Ball

If the pass is underthrown, you have two options. You can either attempt a zone turn, or simply go with another bat down.

The difference in the bat downs between the well thrown ball and the underthrown ball, is that instead of continuing his stride and simply extending his arms, the receiver will turn his body back to the ball, getting ready to jump up and grab it at it’s highest point.

This is your clue that the ball is going to be up for grabs, and as the pass nears,

instead of simply running through, plant two feet and jump with the receiver, all the while keeping your outside hand on their hip, and your inside hand ready to break up their hands.

If you anticipate the ball, attempting a zone turn is a great way to force a turnover and get the interception. When even with the receiver, attempt to cut them off, but be careful of a potential passing interference call.

If you’re able to get the receiver on your back and have the support of another defensive back,  jump up an take your chance on the football, going up with two hands and ripping down towards your body away from the receiver.

If you’re looking for more ways to improve your pass defense, check out these defensive back drills!