1. HEADS UP TACKLING Component 3

2. TERMINOLOGY
As a coach, our words convey powerful messages and tell young players what is important
What are you actually telling your player to do?
Point of contact
Consistent terminology leads to better teaching

3. PSYCHOLOGY OF BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Some youths are instinctively aggressive and eager for contact; many more have some initial reservation
The initial fear is real
How to overcome the fear
Confidence comes through repeated success
Look for behavior signs of youngsters lacking confidence
Kids play sports for fun
Levels of Contact

4. LEVELS OF CONTACT AIR BAGS CONTROL THUD LIVE ACTION
Players run a drill unopposed without contact.
Drill is run against a bag or another soft-contact surface.
Drill is run at assigned speed until the moment of contact; one player is pre-determined the “winner” by the coach. Contact remains above the waist and players stay on their feet.
Drill is run at assigned speed through the moment of contact; no pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill.
Drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground.

5. TACKLE PROGRESSION
BREAKDOWN BUZZ HIT POSITION SHOOT RIP

6. POINTS OF CONTACT & TERMINOLOGY
The point of contact is the area of the tackler that makes contact first with an opposing ball-carrier
USA Football teaches the shoulder tackle as part of its Heads Up Tackling program
The defender “slides” his head to the side of an oncoming ball-carrier as he initiates contact

8. Teaching progression: FEET  SQUEEZE  SINK  HANDS
BREAKDOWN
Knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, upper body in a 45-degree lean, chin up and over toes
Weight on balls of feet (not toes)
Players gather themselves in a breakdown position when “buzzing” the feet
Teaching progression: FEET  SQUEEZE  SINK  HANDS

9. BUZZ
Quick, choppy, heel-to-toe steps to bring the body under control while continuing to gain ground
Once within “striking distance” of ball-carrier, buzz feet to widen base and sink the hips
Keep original 45-degree lean

10. HIT POSITION Body position at moment of impact
After closing to the ball-carrier, take a short downhill power step
Have a bend in both knees, with back foot directly under your hips
Head and eyes up, shoulders square to contact

11. SHOOT Forcefully explode hips open and upward
Use large muscle groups of lower body to produce a powerful tackle
To finish, continue to the drive legs while working up and through opponent

12. RIP Upper body movement to secure the tackle
“Punch” both arms in an uppercut motion to backside of ball-carrier
Work up and through, not around; “climb” the ball-carrier
Secure tackle by “grabbing cloth” at back of ball-carrier’s jersey with elbows tight to his sides

13. HEADS UP FOOTBALL DRILLS
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Step-Over Tackle
Pop-Up Tackle
INTRODUCTION TO CONTACT
One Foot Tackle
Freeze Tackle
BASICS
Straight-On Tackle
Angle Tackle
Lane Tackle
Open Field Tackle
FIX/FOCUS
Leverage Tackle
Three Rips
Grapple Tackle
Finish Tackle
Bag Series

14. TACKLE CIRCUIT Integrate this period into your practice plan
Tackling is the most important all-player skill
A separate period conveys its importance
Teams that tackle well are competitive
Basics
10 to 20 minutes every practice
Multiple stations
Maximize number of reps
Small groups
Individual attention
One coach per station
Change levels of contact
Air, Bags, Control, Thud
Keep players on their feet

15. TACKLE CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING
EARLY SEASON
Follow skill progression
Same skill all stations
Instill circuit to create habit
Acclimate using Levels of Contact
IN-SEASON
Different drills at each station
Focus on more skills per session
In-week progression
Seasonal volume
Levels of contact
TROUBLESHOOTING
Circuit drills as the “fix”
Why players/teams miss tackles?
Correlate drill responsible for THAT fundamental
TACKLE CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING

16. What A Coach Needs To Know
Using proper verbiage for a safer, more positive game
Helping players and parents become more confident in the collision
How to use Levels of Contact to control total contact in practice and teach in a progressive manner
The 5 fundamentals of Heads Up Tackling
Applying the 5 fundamentals to other tackle drills