Skills & Drills | Cedric Whitaker, Slippery Rock | DB Drills

Cedric Whitaker is entering his third season as the Defensive Backs Coach and Special Teams Coordinator at Slippery Rock. Before joining The Rock, Whitaker coached for the Carolina Panthers, Houston Baptist, Baylor, and Texas Southern. As a former collegiate athlete, he played football at Texas Lutheran University.

Everyday Drills for Defensive Backs

In this video, Coach Whitaker demonstrates his signature Fire for 15 and Cha de Cha drills. These drills are integral to his practice regimen, simulating game movements while sharpening key defensive back skills.

Coach Whitaker emphasizes the importance of the DB’s “weapons”: their eyes, hands, hips, and feet. These drills are designed to activate those weapons at the start of every practice, requiring minimal setup and are adaptable for any DB room.

Fire for 15 Drill

Drill Setup:

• Arrange 4 pairs of cones, spaced 5 yards apart, to create a 15-yard-long lane.

Drill Execution:

1. Stance:
   • Begin in a loaded, hang-clean position: weight on the balls of the feet, knees slightly bent, and a relaxed posture.
2. Commands:
   • On the first “feet” command, the DB starts chopping their feet in place.
   • On subsequent “feet” commands, the DB advances 5 yards to the next cone while maintaining foot movement.
3. Final Steps:
   • At the 15-yard mark, a coach will either:
     • Throw a ball to the DB for a catch, or
     • Toss the ball to the ground for a fumble recovery drill.
   • The DB finishes with three explosive vertical steps while securing the ball.

Key Coaching Points:

• Stance:
  • Weight on the balls of the feet.
  • Maintain a loaded, relaxed position throughout the drill.
• Drill Execution:
  • Avoid false steps.
  • Keep feet quiet and controlled.

Cha de Cha Drill

Drill Setup:

• Arrange cones in a “W” shape, with each cone spaced 5 yards apart.

Drill Execution:

1. Starting Position:
   • Begin at the top of the “W,” with the inside foot back and in a loaded stance.
2. Movement:
   • Backpedal for 5 yards, staying low and controlled.
   • Plant the outside foot, transition forward, and drive the front pocket down.
   • Move forward for 5 yards, plant the inside foot, and backpedal again, driving the back pocket down.
   • Repeat this motion 3-4 times, finishing with a ball.

Key Coaching Points:

• Simulate normal walking; avoid opening the hips unnecessarily.
• Maintain a slow, patient pace.
• Stay square throughout the drill.

Drill Variation:

• Add a departure angle to simulate breaking toward a post route.
• Work a few steps on the angle before returning to square and completing the drill.

Coach Whitaker’s drills offer an effective way to build foundational skills for defensive backs. With minimal setup and a focus on proper technique, they can easily be integrated into any practice routine.