Defensive Tackling Drills Tackling DEFINITION A tackle is

Defensive Tackling Drills

Tackling DEFINITION: A tackle is a desired collision between the defensive man and the ball carrier. The Defensive Man Must Win!!! TECHNIQUE / FUNDAMENTALS: Ø Meet the ball carrier in a good hitting position. Ø Eyes should be focused on the ball carriers numbers. Ø Don't give the ball carrier a two way cut. Ø Keep low, keep head up, first contact should be made with chest or numbers. As the chest or numbers makes contact, roll the hips and throw you guns. Ø Do not leave your feet, wide base, short choppy steps, drive through ball carrier and take him backwards. Ø On contact work arms from low to high, wrap viciously and pull the ball carrier toward you, squeeze, and grab cloth. Ø If you are caught in a poor hitting position, somehow make the tackle. Grab arms, legs, or anything you can get your hands a hold of, except the face mask. OPEN FIELD TACKLE: Ø Gather yourself and come under control 3 to 4 yards from the ball carrier. Ø Feet chopping - move toward ball carrier. Ø Keep eyes on the belt buckle and get into a good hitting position. Ø Give the ball carrier only one way to go, then take it away. Ø Leave your feet only as a last resort. Ø Use the sideline whenever possible. Ø Force the ball carrier back into pursuit when possible.

Tackling Drill Library 1 Thud Tackle Drill 2 Tackling Progression 3 Angle Tackling Progression 4 Bag Tackling Progression 5 Block the Line 6 Wisconsin Shimmy Tackle 7 Stop & Start Tackle 8 VT 3 on 1 Tackle Drill 9 Open Field Tackle Drill 10 Sweep Tackle Drill 11 Wrap & Roll Tackle Drill 12 Pursuit Drill 13 Sideline Return Drill 144 Corner Pursuit Drill 154 Corner Redirect Pursuit Drill 162 on 1 Compression Tackle 17 Angle Tackle 18 Sideline Tackle 19 Box Angle Tackle 20 Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip 21 Sled Tackle 22 Front Bag Tackle 23 Matt Tackle (Finish Tackle) 24 Tire Tackling 25 Press, Shuffle & Roll Tackle 26 Sprint Angle Shimmy Tackle 27 Triangle Tackle 28 Cross square Tire Tackle 29 Drive Tire Tackle 30 Angle Double Tire Tackle 31 Agile Bag Tire Tackle 32 Long Distance Compression Tackle 33 Out & Pick Drill 34 Sideline Break Tackle 35 Hungry Tackle 36 Tackling Circuit

Thud & Tackle Drill Explanation: Fitting, being under control and tackling! Drill: BC = Ball Carrier 1. The BC and the Defender thud each other 2 times. 2. On the 3 rd time the defender tackler the ball carrier. Point of Emphases: Maintain outside leverage! End: Offense, Defense then out. Co ach d! u h T ! e l ck Ta Goal Line #1

Tackling Progression Explanation: Fundamental Tackling progression from start to finish. Drill: Start 6 Points Stance (Toes, Knees & Hands). Move to knees with same coaching points. End with full drill on feet in 2 point stance. Point of Emphases: The tackler assumes full fundamental position. Eyes open see what you are hitting! End: After 3 times rotate roles and repeat. 3 -4 Yards Co ac h #2

Angle Tackling Progression Explanation: Building off of tackling progression and movement and angles. Drill: BC = Ball Carrier 1. The BC player walks to his right or left. 2. The tackler walks in, keeping his head in front of the BC. 3. The BC should jump upward as the tackler makes contact. Point of Emphases: The tackler should make sure his head is up and eyes are across the designated shoulder. Shoot arms through and grab cloth on the backside. End: After 3 times rotate roles and repeat. Co ac h #3

Bag Tackling Progression Explanation: Start: 6 Points Stance (Toes, Knees & Hands) Part 2: 3 Point position stance Drill: Fit up with proper tackling form. Explode and roll though with hips. Do 3 on right, middle than left. Once done rotate and once all are done proceed to 3 point. End: DL, hold bag to out. Co B A G ach B A G #4

Block the Door Drill Explanation: Coming under control in space! Drill: BC = Ball Carrier 1. Drill starts on the movement of the BC 2. The BC runs anywhere between the 2 bags 3. The Defender forces from an outside-in angle across the goal line. 4. The Defender comes under control (break down and pound feet) Point of Emphases: Focus on the BC’s belt and execute a fundamental tackle under control. End: Offense, Defense and out. Co ach B A G Goal Line B A G s rd Ya 7 -9 #5

Wisconsin Shimmy Tackle Explanation: Aggressive and Non. Aggressive tackling angles. Drill: Wisconsin Shimmy Tackle Technique: Shuffle and break down over the top of the cone. Keep eyes up! 1. Fit up tackle on the pad. 2. Eyes up, hit with chest, shoot guns and meet in the back. 3. Don’t forget to run feet. Note: LB to bag holder to out. End: 5 yards at a 45 for 1 st cone and 10 yards straddling cone for bag holder. 5 yards B A G 10 yards Coach #6

Start & Stop Tackle Drill Explanation: Breaking down under control and getting in good tackling position. Drill: Whistle starts and LB chops feet, 2 nd whistle “O” comes out at designated path and LB fits up with w/tackle. End: Offense, defense to out. Coach Stop & Break Down! #7

VT 3 -on-1 Tackle Drill Explanation: LB tackle fits at different angles. Come down under control with break down, head up and under control Drill: Whistle starts. LB chops feet, 2 nd whistle “O” comes out at designated path and LB fits up with w/tackle. Have 3 “O’s” go and fit up on each. End: Offense, defense to out. 3 2 1 Coach #8

Open Field Tackle Drill Explanation: Open field tackling vs. Toss, Bubble or swing concepts. Drill: Whistle starts LB on seam/flat drop. LB chases back. 1. Break down, under control and run feet. Fit up on tackle with proper form. 2. Maintain leverage with good shoulder and head position. End: Offense, defense to out. Coach #9

Sweep Tackle Explanation: Player not in ideal tackling position. Chasing from behind. Drill: Sweep Tackle Technique: Drive hard outside arm through lower half of dummy. 1. Lunge like superman and strike! 2. Land prone on the big pad. Note: Use cut off wobble so its lighter and has a flat edge. End: Roll off bag and control to ground. Go to back of the line next. 5 yards Wobble Big Pad ch Coa #10

Wrap & Roll Tackle “Dive, pin knees Explanation: Tackle for chasing defender. low and roll” Drill: Wrap & Roll Tackle Point of Emphases: Roll to tackle side. 1. Defender dives to pin knees, toll to finish. 2. Roll in direction of tackle. B A 3. Roll with your momentum towards the L. O. S. G End: Def, Bag to out. Note: Can work cross angle at 90, forward angle or any angle for that matter. 1. Can also work drill with 3 lines and 3 bags if needed. 2. Can also implement “shuffle” tell movement 3. This teaches reaction to movement Note: Can make drill with 3 bags if needed. Can also start on knees to build. Also PULL UP bag to force defense to wrap! Coach B A G #11

Pursuit Drill Explanation: The basis of our defense. Hustle! Drill: Full defense in position. Pursuit to the ball and pass the path! 1. Start in 2 point stance 2. Hit ground on whistle (Up Down) 3. Chop feet tell 2 nd whistle 4. Pursuit to the ball 5. Pass the path of the RB Point of Emphases: No contact! End: 1 st Defense, to 2 nd to last Note: Stay in your position don’t sneak back! CHOP F C W E C M S N T R $ CHOP Coach #12

Sideline Return Drill “Clean up WR” Explanation: The basis of our defense. Hustle! Hit! Never Quit! Drill: Interception return! 1. 1 st player to INT must clear out WR C 2. DL must tag off on QB 3. Whole defense must get to near sideline. All as one! W 4. Returner must have ball in outside arm. Rule for all Ball holders! 5. Team must get outside of bag Point of Emphases: One group to the sideline that is near. End: Once it is perfect! B A G F E “Shadow QB” C M S N T $ R B A G Coach #13

4 Corner Pursuit Drill Explanation: The basis of our defense. Hustle! Drill: Coach tosses ball to corner. Defense pursuits to the corner. 1 -4. 1. Start in the middle as apposed to the LOS w/normal. 2. Start in 2 point stance 3. Hit ground on whistle (Up Down) 4. Chop feet tell 2 nd whistle 5. Pursuit to the direction of the coach. Point of Emphases: Comeback on the inside or do it again! End: 1 st Defense, to 2 nd to last Note: Stay in your position don’t sneak back! B 1 A G F C W E C M S N T R B A G 3 B 2 A G $ B A G 4 Coach #14

4 Corner Redirect Pursuit Drill Explanation: The basis of our defense. Coach Hustle! Drill: Coach tosses ball to corner. Defense pursuits to the corner. 1 -4. 1. Start in the middle as apposed to the LOS w/normal. 2. Start in 2 point stance 3. Hit ground on whistle (Up Down) 4. Chop feet tell 2 nd whistle 5. Pursuit to the direction of the head coach 6. Pursuit to the redirect of the 2 nd coach. Coach nd Point of Emphases: Crowd 2 coach. End: 1 st Defense, to 2 nd to last Note: Stay in your position don’t sneak back! Coach F C W E C M S N T R $ Coach #15

2 on 1 Compression Tackle Explanation: 2 on 1 tackle in space Drill: 2 on 1 Profile Tackle 1. Offense can do whatever inside the cones. 2. Can not loose profile. 3. Can not loose contain relationship. Point of Emphases: Do not loose profile. Keep half man contain relationship with ball. End: Defense, Offense & Out Coach #16

Angle Tackle Drill Work drill to both left and right sides 1. Set cones five yards apart. 2. DB and RB start seven yards apart. 3. On command, RB runs at an angle aiming outside the cone. 4. DB approaches with an inside out angle while staying square in a proper football position. 5. On impact, the DB will explode up through the RB accelerating the feet. 6. The arms explode violently up the rib cage, grabbing high jersey on the back of the shoulder pads. 7. Run the RB back five yards. #17

Sideline Tackle Drill Sideline Tackle Practice the angle toward the line of scrimmage 1. WR and DB start seven yards apart. 2. On command the WR runs up the sideline. 3. The DB attacks the ball carrier downhill on an inside out angle. 4. Stay square. Force the ball carrier to the sideline. 5. Accelerate feet and explode up through ball carrier and drive him toward the sideline until his feet are out of bounds. * Allow the ball carrier to cut back if the DB over pursues. #18

Box Angle Tackle Explanation: Tackling situations created at all times. Drill: Box Angle Tackle 1. Defense must run, break down and tackle 2. Work both side of the angle box! 3. The most common tackle at WK is the angle tackle! X 43 in 2016. Point of Emphases: Run feet on contact and shoot the guns! Wrap & Roll! End: Alternate lines and move around to the shortest line. Co ach #19

Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip Explanation: Tackle on angle line run Drill: Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip 1. Back picks a side at random or by direction of the coach. Back starts with ball on bag. 2. On movement the Defender runs to fit up tackle. 3. Head across, eyes through hips and run feet! Point of Emphases: Do not loose profile. Keep half man contain relationship with ball. End: Defense, Offense & Out Co ach B A G #20

Sled Tackle Explanation: Tackling! Drill: Sled Tackle Point of Emphases: Tackle while running fit. 1. Run flush with sled. 2. Run feet and shoot guns! 3. Turn and tip Sled. End: Tackle, Put back up & Get to back of line Note: Defender must run feet with momentum or sled will not go down. Coach Sl e d “ 1 Man Sled” #21

Front Bag Tackle Explanation: Tackling! Desire! Drill: Front Bag Tackle Point of Emphases: One on one must tackling 1. Ball and hands are on the bag to start 2. Play to the whistle 3. Box with cones is 8 -10 yards End: Offense to defense line. Note: Drive feet, run the hips and eyes through the hips. Coach “On whistle” B a g #22

Matt Tackle Explanation: Tackling from multiple angles Drill: Matt Tackle Point of Emphases: Eyes through hips, run feet, shoot the guns and grab clothe. 1. Tackle player onto the matt from a variety of angles. Side or 45 are preferred. 2. Rotate side by side in an alternating fashion. 3. We like a track and field pit matt best. End: Left offense to right defense and continue. Note: Coach controls the drill on the whistle. Coach “On whistle” Large Matt 1 2 #22

Break Down Tackle Explanation: Shuffling feet and breaking down before the tackle. Good base and athletic stance. Drill: Breakdown Tackle Point of Emphases: Athletic base while running the feet! 1. Shuffle tell movement… DO NOT break tell movement! 2. Run feet with athletic base. End: Defense, offense to out. Note: Can add 2 -3 at a time if numbers warrant. Coach “On whistle” B a g “Shuffle to bag until movement” #23

Tire Tackling Explanation: Similar to rugby training for tackling. It takes the head out and gives a great low aiming point. Drill: Tire Tackling drill. 1. Tire is rolled at pace. 2. Coach or player rolls the tire. 3. Defender chases and tackles low. 4. Aim low… wrap, synch & roll! Point of Emphases: Aim Low!!! Roll! End: Defense, Roller and Out “On whistle” Coach “Sprint & Chase the Tire” #24

Press, Shuffle & Roll Tackle Explanation: Defeating the block, Shuffling and making the tackle. Drill: Press, Shuffle & Roll Tackle 1. Press off bag with elbows inside and B thumbs up. a 2. Read direction of coach and shuffle over g bag to side. 3. Wrap, synch and roll tackle! Point of Emphases: Elbows in tight for press of the bag. End: Defense, Bag side, Hand Shield, Other side and out. Note: Coach should make sure to alternate each side so as to allow time for bag to be set up. Coach B a g Shield “Go to directed side” B a g #25

Sprint Angle Shimmy Tackle Explanation: Tackling at a 45 degree angle with even groups Drill: Sprint Angle Shimmy Tackle 1. Offense starts spring down the line straight with a hand shield 2. Defense starts on movement on a 45 degree angle 3. Offense at last moment will extend out hand shield 4. Breakdown and run feet prior to tackle 5. Defense fits up bag and runs through! Point of Emphases: Run feet on contact and shoot the guns!. End: Defense, Bag line and back to surplus on defensive line. Shield h c Coa “Break down” #26

Triangle Tackle Explanation: Tackling situations created at all times. Drill: Triangle Tackle 1. Coach declares who gets the ball. Coach can tap or just flop ball on ground to the closest player. 2. Whistle tell 2 others to get up and tackle. 3. Tackle or strip to the whistle. Point of Emphases: Run feet on contact and shoot the guns! Wrap & Roll! End: Alternate lines and move around to the shortest line. #27

Cross Square Tire Tackling “On whistle” Explanation: Tackling Drills Drill: Cross Square Tire Tackling drill. 1. Tire is rolled at pace alternating. 2. Line 1 goes after tire 1 on the roll. 3. Line 2 goes after tire 2 on the roll. 4. Players should alternate lines. 5. Coaches take turns rolling tires. Point of Emphases: Aim Low!!! Roll! End: Defense, Roller and Out if there is no coach. Coach “Sprint & Chase the Tire” #1 #2 Coach #28

Drive Tire Tackling “Sprint & Chase the Tire” Explanation: Tackling Drills Drill: Drive Tire Tackle 1. Tire is rolled at pace 2. Set cones in a 8 x 8 to 10 x 10 box. 3. Tire can go one of 3 different angles 4. Point of Emphases: Aim Low!!! Roll! End: Defense, Roller and Out if there is no coach. Coach #29

Angle Double Tire Tackling #3 Explanation: Tackling Drills Drill: Angle Double Tire Tackle 1. Set up 6 cones about 8 yards from each other and 4 -5 yards next to each other. 2. Roll Tires and chase from an angle. 3. #1 & #2 go 1 st. Once tires are reset #3 and #2 go in alternate direction. Point of Emphases: Line surplus should be in line 2 as they get the most reps. End: After you tackle the wheel you toss the wheel. #2 #1 “Sprint & Chase the Tire” Coach #30

Agile Bag Tire Tackling Explanation: Tackling Drills Drill: Agile Tire Tackle 1. Tire is rolled at pace once player crosses agile bag path. 2. Run over bags in different paterns. 3. Keep wide base with peck on quads. 4. Point of Emphases: Aim Low!!! Roll! Keep moving your feet. End: Defense, Roller and Out if there is no coach. B A G “Sprint & Chase the Tire” Coach #31

Long Distance Compression Tackle Explanation: 2 on 1 tackle in large space Drill: 2 on 1 Profile Tackle 1. Cones should be 12 -15 yards from each side. 5 yard apart on same side. 2. Coach tosses the ball to one of the 3 players. 3. Offense can do whatever inside the cones. Make the defense look bad! 4. Can not loose compression. Work to contain who has the ball! 5. Can not loose contain relationship. Point of Emphases: Do not loose profile. Keep half man contain relationship with ball. End: Defense, Offense & Out Coach #32

Out & Pick Drill ac h Wobble Co Explanation: Tackling Outside runs, bubble and plays. Drill: Out & Pick Drill 1. Coach starts the drill on the whistle. 2. Cones are about 10 -12 yards apart and 12 -15 from the sideline. Wobble is 3 -5 yards from starting cone line. 3. Offense can do whatever they want outside of the wobble. Point of Emphases: Run feet on contact and shoot the guns! Wrap & Roll! End: Alternate lines and move around to the shortest line. S I D E L I N E #33

Sideline Break Tackle Explanation: Break down on the sideline tackle. Drill: Sideline Break Tackle Point of Emphases: Run feet when Offense runs their feet. 1. Breakdown = breakdown 2. 3 times in space 3. Do not advance during breakdown! End: Offense, Defense to out Note: Fine a sideline with space to work drill. “Breakdown” “On whistle” Coac h “Breakdown” #34

Hungry Tackle 20 Yards Explanation: Who wants it the most! Set Up: Cones at 10 yards and a final cone at 20 yards. 3 bags for 4 players. Drill: Hungry Tackle 1. Coach directs players while in a 4 pt. stance. 10 Yards 2. Players move left, right, push up, roll on command of coach. 3. Whistle = Go and find a tackle! 4. There are 3 Meals for 4 people! 5. Player who missed tackle goes around cone and back to start and enters the next group. Point of Emphases: Get their 1 st! Synch, Wrap & Roll Tackle! End: Offense, bag older to out, “Missed the meal” B A G Coach #35

Tackling Circuits #36