One of the most important skills for a defensive player in football is tackling. Learning proper tackling mechanics and taking proper angles can shorten the yardage the offense gains and can prevent the opposing team from scoring. These drills work various fundamental concepts, such as footwork, leverage, angling and hand position.
Tackling Dummy Technique
The tackling dummy is an excellent tool to help develop young defensive players the proper technique for tackling. The place should stand shaded to the left or right side of the tackling dummy at about arms length distance away. The athlete will then "tackle" the sled by stepping forward with the foot that is closest to the tackling dummy. He should drive forward with the arms, wrapping them around the dummy. The athlete should accelerate through the hips and get his head and shoulders across the tackling dummy. Once the athlete's head and shoulders clear the dummy, and he has his armed locked firmly around the dummy's waist, he should twist at the torso to pull the dummy to the ground.
Meet Back
The meet back drill will teach athletes on the team how to take proper angles to make successful tackles. The drill will place everyone on the defense in their standard position. This drill also requires a quarterback and a running back. The quarterback will hike the ball and pitch it to the running back running to the left or the right. The players on defense will then run toward the running back as if they were going to tackle the running back. Players should gauge their speed in line with the running back and take an angle that will allow them to make a successful tackle. As each player on the defense gets close to the running back, they should tag him on the hips and continue to let him run. This way each player on the defense has a chance to tag the back. The fastest player on the team should be used for the back, and he should alter his speed during each run. This will teach the players to adjust their angles accordingly.
Recovery Tackle
The recovery tackle drill is designed to teach players to continue running after a player who has gotten past them. Have one athlete run with a ball at 90 percent of the maximal speed forward. The other athlete should wait until the athlete with the ball has run 10 yards and then chase him down and tackle him. As the defender approaches the ball carrier, he should wrap the outside arm around the runner's waist and bring the other hand across the football, trying to jar it loose. The tackle should be performed at 50 percent intensity with practice on coordinating the tackle and strip.
References
- Football Coach 360: Defensive Technical Skills Review - Defensive Tackling Techniques
- Football Plays and Drills: Football Tackling Drills
- Football for Youth: Where Does Defense Start?
- Football Drills: Defensive Back Drills - Open Field Tackling Drill
- Football Drills: Defensive Back Drills - Strip Drill and Fumble Recovery
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