When we think of players playing man coverage from a press alignment, we usually think of them mirroring the release of the WR right away, stepping laterally, and closing distance. This is the typical press technique that is thought of, and it is known as a lead-trail technique.
However, there are more different types of man coverage, press alignment techniques that are out there. The one that I will be talking about today is the inch-back technique, with Marlon Humphrey being the tape example of this technique.
What is Inch-Back?
Inch-back is a press technique where the CB reluctantly gives up space in order to force the WR to declare his release and stay in front of the WR. Both Patrick Toney (Louisiana-Lafayette DC) and Mike Reed (Clemson DB Coach) have stated that they prefer it as a change-up. Toney also states that it is effective against foot-fire on the ball releases, as it buys you more time and forces the WR to declare, and it is preferred by shorter CBs as it allows them to have more space to mirror.
Coaching Points
The CB starts in his usual press alignment. He is square towards the WR and stays square. The weight of the CB is on the inside of his feet, with his toes pointed forwards. At the snap of the ball, the CB will drag his feet back slowly (making sure to not go into a backpedal), with his toes still forward and his weight on the inside of his feet, and will maintain his leverage while doing so. The CB should also maintain the same base.
As the rep progresses and the WR finishes stemming vertically or declares his release the CB will get into his kickslide as he pushes off and mirrors the WR, and then continues with his jam, transition, and break.
Game Examples
Below are three different examples of inch-tech, all by Marlon Humphrey against the Raiders. In all of them, you can see that Marlon Humphrey drags both his feet backwards and gives the WR space to release, and continues doing so until the WR declares where he is going. When the WR declares, Marlon Humphrey puts his foot in the ground, and starts to mirror the WR, going out of his inch-back to transition with the WR, jam him (if possible), and then cover him out of the break.
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