Being able to beat the press is absolutely vital part to every wide receiver’s game. If they can be neutralized or slowed down significantly by the press, then your quarterback will never have the time in the pocket to get them the ball.
But before we can start looking at the technique of the rip and swim releases, we need to look at the the proper ready stance for your receivers.
Stance
Knees should be slightly bent, with his inside foot forward, and your hands should be up in the ready position, but relaxed and ready to go. And make sure they have their heads turned down the line, watching the ball.
Rip-On Release
As they explode off the line, the receiver should be reaching forward with their inside hand out to put on the defender’s shoulder.
And as they take their second step, they will pull their outside arm up through the defender’s inside arm.
Swim Release
With the swim release, the first move is a reach to the defender’s outside shoulder with your outside arm. Then as you take your first step forward, bring your inside arm up and over, executing the swim motion as you pull the shoulder in with the outside arm.
Beat The Press Drill
Once your players have perfected the technique, let them go live with this drill here. Bring a quarterback in, and have a receiver and a defender line up off to one side.
On the quarterback’s hike, the receiver will have to use one of the two techniques to get past the defenders press.
If they beat them to the inside, they’ll run a ten and in, or a ten and out if they beat them with the swim technique.
Once your players master this technique, you can add in some quarterback and receiver drills for a more game-like feel. Or, check out our conditioning drills to help your receivers boost their speed, agility and explosiveness!
