The NFL is going to make a bigger emphasis on illegal contact and defensive holding this season, so the Cleveland Browns are putting in some extra work to ensure the team is prepared for the increased attention from league officials.
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To do so, the Browns defensive backs have been wearing boxing gloves during training camp in hopes of breaking the habits that some players may have when it comes to holding opposing wide receivers.
“You’ve got to get guys out of that habit,” coach Mike Pettine said, via Cleveland.com.
“Instead of putting them in the full boxing gloves that I think would really slow their stride down, they’re more like sparring gloves … like a big mitten. The thumb can still come out. I just think it’s more the mentality that they know they have to be able to cover more with an open palm than grabbing and restricting, especially if the rule is going to be called as tightly as we’re told it is.”
It may be an unorthodox approach, but it is very interesting.
You have to be willing to go the extra mile if you want to break bad habits and prepare for the tasks ahead, so the Browns seem to be on the right path.