Next Play Mindset

Level Up with Elite Football Coaching & Community

Train with a community of serious athletes through weekly mindset coaching, football film review, live sessions, and direct feedback from Jordan Poyer to elevate your football performance.

Before you begin: This isn’t a test to pass or fail, it’s a starting point.

Answer every question honestly and to the best of your current knowledge. Your responses help us understand where you are today so we can guide your growth. Remember, awareness is the first step toward improvement.

Football IQ & Defensive Awareness Assessment

Athlete Information

Full Name *

Age *

Grade *

Position *

Email *

School/Team:

Primary Position:

Years Playing Football:

Secondary Position:

Football Terminology

1. What is leverage? *

2. What is a landmark? *

3. What is eye discipline? *

4. What is the difference between knowing your assignment and understanding the defense? *

5. In cover 2 , what is the corners main responsibility? *

Coverage Knowledge

6. What is a Cover 2 beater? *

7. In cover 3 who are the 4 underneath defenders? *

8. What is a Cover 3 beater? *

9. Which defensive player in this defense would become the 8th player in the box vs run? *

10. What is a Cover 4 beater? *

Defensive Back Fundamental

11. What should your eyes be on as the down safety in Cover 3? *

A. The quarterback

B. The widest receiver

C. Your run/pass key

D. The running back

12. The offense lines up in Trips (3 receivers to the right). What is the first thing you should identify? *

A. The quarterback’s height

B. The strength of the formation and eligible receivers

C. The running back’s stance

D. The play clock

13. What wins most tackles? *

A. Big hits

B. Speed alone

C. Leverage and proper angles

D. Arm tackles

14. Before every snap, what information should a defensive back communicate? *

A. Nothing, just focus on your assignment

B. Coverage, formation strength, motion, and alerts

C. The score of the game

D. The previous play

Situational Football

15. Two-Minute Drill

There is 1:43 remaining before halftime.

Your offense just scored.

Their offense now gets the ball on their own 20-yard line with all 3 timeouts remaining.

As a defender, what should you be most prepared for?

A. Deep Ball

B. QB Kneel

C. Screen/Draw

D. Run

Explain your answer: *

16. Their offense just earned a first down across midfield. What should you be alerting for on the next play?

A. Shot/Deep Ball

B. Quick Game

C. Run

D. Screen

Explain your answer: *

17. It is 3rd-and-12. What should be your primary concern as a defensive back?

A. Stopping a run for 3 yards

B. Defending the sticks/first-down marker

C. Blitzing the quarterback

D. Forcing a fumble

Explain your answer: *

Film Study

18. When watching film, what are the first 3 things you are looking for? *

19. How do you study an opponent? *

20. How often do you watch your own film? *

A. Never

B. Occasionally

C. Every week

D. Multiple times per week

21. What do you believe is your biggest strength as a football player? *

22. What do you believe is your biggest weakness as a football player? *

23. What is one area of football you want to improve the most? *

Competitor Mindset

24. What separates a good player from a great player? *

25. On a scale of 1–10, how confident are you in your football knowledge? *

26. On a scale of 1–10, how serious are you about playing football at the next level? *

27. Why do you play football? *