How Do You Play Cornerback Like Champ Bailey?
Champ Bailey is so suffocating on his defensive coverage that teams rarely even try to throw a pass in his direction. While his physical skills are great, Bailey is one of the most fundamentally sound cornerbacks in football. These fundamentals are applicable to anyone from youth league to the professional level. Take the coverage of the receiver personally. Champ Bailey takes it as an insult if the opposing team completes even one pass on the receiver he is defending. It is not just a job for Bailey; it is more of a mission to take one side of the field away from the other team. Keep your body square to the line of scrimmage until the receiver makes his break on a route. Bailey is renowned for his patience as a defensive back. He will not bit on fakes and makes sure the receiver commits to a move before he makes his turn. Therefore, keep square, watch the receivers mid section and pay no attention to fakes to play proper coverage defense. Close on the receiver once the ball is in the
