The statistical factor that has the biggest influence on winning football games is winning the turnover margin.
A study showed that when a team is:
- +1 in turnover margin, they win the game 67% of the time.
- +2 in turnover margin, they win the game 80% of the time.
- +3 in turnover margin, they win the game 95% of the time.
In the video, Cincinnati Bengals senior defensive assistant Mark Duffner shows some of the turnover circuit drills he has used at his various stops around the NFL.
His entire clinic is available on Glazier Drive at: #1 Factor for Winning Games: Defensive Awareness & Take-Aways/Turnovers
The types of takeaways that Coach Duffner emphasizes with his practice drills are:
- Contact Fumble
- Punch Technique
- Strip Technique
- Second Contact
- QB Pocket
- Football Awareness
- Interceptions
The takeaway study showed the following additional information:
- 68% of fumbles resulted from a conscious effort by the defense to strip or puch the football.
- 23% of fumblers were caused by contact with the helmet or shoulder pad--something other than a defender's arm or hand.
- 9% of fumbles are mistakes on exchanges or the ball carrier dropping the football.
- 32% are caused when a 2nd or 3rd defender is in on the play--effort and swarm.