TACKLING THE PACKER WAY

SAME GAME! DIFFERENT METHOD! The game of football continues to change, but the skills we use are, for the most part the same. The team that blocks and tackles the best normally wins. However, tackling has made a drastic change in the last 10 years. Because of advanced research on concussions, there has been a movement to change this aspect of football, and it is not without warrant. From 2005-2016 high schools reported 2.7 million concussions (Washington Post, 2017). The amount of high school reported concussions among high school football players is massively larger than any other sport (Washington Post, 2017). High school football players also have an annual concussion rate that is double that of other sports (Washington Post, 2017). High school football players are also 5 times more likely to get a concussion during a game than at practice (Washington Post, 2017). All 50 states and the District of Columbia now have laws in place to help limit the amount of head injuries among high school athletes (Washington Post, 2017). HOW WE TEACH TACKLING HAS TO CHANGE.

GHSA POLICY School Responsibilities Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day. No athlete should return to play or practice on the same day after a concussion has been diagnosed Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.

GHSA CONTINUED The formulation of a gradual return to play protocol should be a part of the medical clearance. No athlete should return-to-sport or other at-risk participation when symptoms of concussion are present and recovery is ongoing. These guidelines should be applied to both practices and scrimmages. It is required that coaches participate in a free, online course on concussion management prepared by the NFHS. 

TACKLING: THE PACKER WAY VS HAWG TACKLING HAWK TACKLING

SEAHAWKS HAWK TACKLING RUGBY STYLE TACKLE ADVOCTED BY PETE CARROLL TAKES THE HEAD OUT OF THE TACKLE FOCUSES ON USE OF THE SHOULDER AND LEVERAGE OF WEIGHT

HOW WE TEACH: TRACKING STRIKEZONE HAWG TACKLE HAWG GRAB, PULLL, ROLL TACKLE HAWG LIFT TACKLE HAWG PROFILE TACKLE HAWG COMPRESSION TACKLE

TRACKING Closing the distance with the ball carrier, while maintaining leverage COACHING POINTS: Eyes on the near hip of the ball carrier; Players maintain good tackling posture with shoulders square to the ball carrier, Eyes locked on the ball carrier’s near hip

TRACKING DRILL RUN AND GATHER:

TRACKING DRILL RUN AND GATHER:

KNOW THE STRIKEZONE Always aim to hit him with YOUR SHOULDER Aim between HIS SHOULDERS and ABOVE HIS KNEES Be sure to keep your HEAD OUTSIDE and NOT ACROSS! THE “PROFILE TACKLE” will ALWAYS be a CLEAN HIT, WITHIN THE “STRIKE ZONE” Coaching Points: Just like a baseball “strike zone” – knees to armpits

IDENTIFY AND ATTACK THE STRIKEZONE

HAWG TACKLING SHOULDER tackle with contact point on the THIGHS, with the head OUTSIDE or BEHIND (NOT ACROSS) the body. Coaching Points: EYES THRU THE THIGHS NEAR FOOT to ball carrier WRAP & SQUEEZE (squeeze the thighs through your chest) DRIVE FOR 5 (think “take 5 power steps after I wrap him up”) Recap: 1) TRACK the NEAR HIP; 2) close with NEAR FOOT to ball carrier; 3) WRAP & SQUEEZE the THIGHS DRIVE FOR 5

HAWG TACKLING DRILLS HAWG TACKLING DRILL Simulated from a standing position Ran just like your basic angle tackle drill Can be ran either in-season or out-of-season Can be done while in pads or out of pads Can be used with players or tackling rings

HAWG TACKLING DRILLS HAWG TACKLING DRILL

HAWG GRAB, PULL, ROLL TACKLE Basic HAWG SHOULDER tackle on the THIGHS, with the head OUTSIDE (NOT ACROSS) the body, which FINISHES with the ballcarrier being WRAPPED UP and ROLLED TO THE GROUND Coaching Points: EYES THRU THE THIGHS WRAP & SQUEEZE (squeeze the thighs through your chest) ROLL!  Recap: 1) TRACK the NEAR HIP; 2) TACKLE the THIGHS; 3) ROLL!

2 PT / 4PT / 6PT GRAB PULL ROLL DIAMOND DRILL TACKLER BALL CARRIER GRAB, PULL, ROLL DRILLS 2 PT / 4PT / 6PT GRAB PULL ROLL DIAMOND DRILL TACKLER BALL CARRIER

HAWG GRAB, PULL, ROLL TACKLE

GRAB, PULL, ROLL DRILLS TRACK & TACKLE TACKLER BC W/ BAG BC JOGS PULLING BAG BEHIND HIM TACKLER TRACKS BAG, FINISHES WITH GRAB, PULL, ROLL

HAWG LIFT TACKLE Coaching Points: EYES THRU THE THIGHS Basic HAWG SHOULDER tackle on the THIGHS, with the head OUTSIDE (NOT ACROSS) the body, which FINISHES with the ballcarrier’s OPPOSITE LEG BEING ‘HOOKED” AND LIFTED UP (for example, if you are using your LEFT SHOULDER to tackle, LIFT with you RIGHT ARM. Lift him right off the ground.) Coaching Points: EYES THRU THE THIGHS WRAP & SQUEEZE (squeeze the thighs through your chest) HOOK the “opposite leg with your Off hand LIFT THAT “OPPOSITE” LEG DRIVE FOR 5 Recap: 1) TRACK the NEAR HIP; 2) TACKLE the THIGHS; 3) HOOK!; 4) LIFT!

HAWG LIFT TACKLE DRILLS STANDING DUMMIE LIFT TACKLE YOU CAN ALSO SIMULATE THIS DRILL FROM A STANDING OR 2 PT POSITON WITHOUT DUMMIES

HAWG LIFT TACKLE DRILLS STANDING DUMMIE LIFT TACKLE

HAWG PROFILE TACKLE Coaching Points: Basic HAWG SHOULDER tackle which makes SHOULDER contact with the NEAR JERSEY NUMBER of the ball carrier, with the head OUTSIDE (NOT ACROSS) the body Coaching Points: ATTACK THE NEAR JERSEY NUMBER OF THE BALLCARRIER WRAP & SQUEEZE DRIVE FOR 5 (STEPS)   Recap: 1) TRACK the NEAR HIP; 2) HIT THE NEAR NUMBER WITH YOUR SHOULDER; 3) WRAP; 4) DRIVE FOR 5!

HAWG PROFILE TACKLE DRILLS “Fire in the Hole” or “Eye Opener” Drill Tackler -Ball carrier may choose any of the 3 holes - Defender will mirror ball carrier tracking the BC near hip. - Once hole has been determined, profile tackle will take place.

HAWG PROFILE TACKLE DRILLS Diamond Drill w/ Shield Tackler BC

HAWG PROFILE TACKLE DRILLS Diamond Drill w/ Shield

HAWG COMPRESSION TACKLE 2 or more tacklers converging on the ball carrier, with each focusing on the NEAR HIP (Hawg Tackle) or NEAR JERSEY NUMBER (Profile Tackle)   Coaching Points: • EACH PLAYER ATTACKS THE JERSEY NUMBER OR HIP NEAREST TO THEM • WRAP & SQUEEZE • DRIVE FOR 5 (STEPS) NOTE: ANY TACKLER AFTER THE 1ST ONE CAN ATTACK THE FOOTBALL LIKE A SHARK EATING BAIT AND RIP IT OUT, STRIP IT, PUNCH IT, JAM IT…GET THE BALL!

HAWG COMPRESSION TACKLE DRILLS SQUARE DRILL (MANY VARIATIONS) -2 Tacklers and 2 Ball Carriers Tackler Tackler -Coach Stands Behind Tacklers & directs which BC will move. - Once BC has been determined, both tacklers will do a compression tackle. BC BC - May add a turnover element to this by having 2nd tackler complete a rip or punch of the football.

HAWG COMPRESSION TACKLE DRILLS Shimmy & Compression -2 Tacklers and 1 BC or Tackling Ring Tackler Tackler -Coach gives go call or works off ball movement. - Players will use short, fast steps toward BC or TR (Shimmie) BC - Once both tacklers make it to the BC or TR, they should be on each side of the BC or TR squeezing with their hips. - They should then simulate a tackle.

HAWG COMPRESSION TACKLE DRILLS Shimmy & Compression

REFERENCES http://www.seahawks.com/video/2016/04/20 /2016-seahawks-tackling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1etzT- Cgho

EMAIL: Jason.nash@Colquitt.k12.ga.us Cell: 706-433-1221 CONTACT INFORMATION EMAIL: Jason.nash@Colquitt.k12.ga.us Cell: 706-433-1221