1. Defensive Tackling DrillsW K

2. Tackling
DEFINITION: A tackle is a desired collision between the defensive man and the ball carrier. The Defensive Man Must Win!!!
TECHNIQUE / FUNDAMENTALS:
Meet the ball carrier in a good hitting position.
Eyes should be focused on the ball carriers numbers.
Don't give the ball carrier a two way cut.
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.
Do not leave your feet, wide base, short choppy steps, drive through ball carrier and take him backwards.
On contact work arms from low to high, wrap viciously and pull the ball carrier toward you, squeeze, and grab cloth.
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:
Gather yourself and come under control 3 to 4 yards from the ball carrier.
Feet chopping - move toward ball carrier.
Keep eyes on the belt buckle and get into a good hitting position.
Give the ball carrier only one way to go, then take it away.
Leave your feet only as a last resort.
Use the sideline whenever possible.
Force the ball carrier back into pursuit when possible.

3. Tackling Drill Library1
Thud Tackle Drill 15
4 Corner Redirect Pursuit Drill 2
Tackling Progression 16
2 on 1 Profile Tackle 3
Angle Tackling Progression 17
45 Degree Tackle (Angle) 4
Bag Tackling Progression 18
Sideline Tackle 5
Block the Line 19
2 on 1 Tackle 6
Wisconsin Shimmy Tackle 20
Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip 7
Stop & Start Tackle 21
Sled Tackle 8
VT 3 on 1 Tackle Drill 22
Front Bag Tackle 9
Open Field Tackle Drill 23
Matt Tackle 10
Sweep Tackle Drill 24 11
Wrap & Roll Tackle Drill 25 12
Pursuit Drill 26 13
Sideline Return Drill 27 14
4 Corner Pursuit Drill 28

4. Thud & Tackle Drill
Explanation: Fitting, being under control and tackling!
Drill: BC = Ball Carrier
The BC and the Defender thud each other 2 times.
On the 3rd time the defender tackler the ball carrier.
Point of Emphases: Maintain outside leverage!
End: Offense, Defense then out. BC
Thud!
Thud!
Tackle! D
Coach
Goal Line #1

5. Tackling Progression D D D D O O O O
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. O O O O
3-4 Yards D D D D
Coach #2

6. Angle Tackling Progression
Explanation: Building off of tackling progression and movement and angles.
Drill: BC = Ball Carrier
The BC player walks to his right or left.
The tackler walks in, keeping his head in front of the BC.
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. BC BC BC BC D D D D
Coach #3

7. 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.
Coach O O O
BAG
BAG
BAG D D D D D D #4

8. Block the Door Drill D D D D BC BC BC
Explanation: Coming under control in space!
Drill: BC = Ball Carrier
Drill starts on the movement of the BC
The BC runs anywhere between the 2 bags
The Defender forces from an outside-in angle across the goal line.
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. BC BC
Coach BC
BAG
BAG
Goal Line
7-9 Yards D D D D #5

9. Wisconsin Shimmy TackleD D D D D D
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!
Fit up tackle on the pad.
Eyes up, hit with chest, shoot guns and meet in the back.
Don’t forget to run feet.
Note: LB to bag holder to out.
End: 5 yards at a 45 for 1st cone and 10 yards straddling cone for bag holder.
5 yards
BAG
BAG
10 yards O O
Coach #6

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

11. VT 3-on-1 Tackle Drill D O O O
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, 2nd 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 O O O D
Coach #8

12. 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.
Break down, under control and run feet. Fit up on tackle with proper form.
Maintain leverage with good shoulder and head position.
End: Offense, defense to out. D D D
Coach O O O #9

13. Sweep Tackle D D D Big Pad
Explanation: Player not in ideal tackling position. Chasing from behind.
Drill: Sweep Tackle
Technique: Drive hard outside arm through lower half of dummy.
Lunge like superman and strike!
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
Coach
#10

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

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

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

17. 4 Corner Pursuit Drill F C C M S W $ E N T R 1 2
Explanation: The basis of our defense. Hustle!
Drill: Coach tosses ball to corner. Defense pursuits to the corner
Start in the middle as apposed to the LOS w/normal.
Start in 2 point stance
Hit ground on whistle (Up Down)
Chop feet tell 2nd whistle
Pursuit to the direction of the coach.
Point of Emphases: Comeback on the inside or do it again!
End: 1st Defense, to 2nd to last
Note: Stay in your position don’t sneak back!
BAG
BAG F C C M S W $ E N T R
BAG
BAG 4 3
Coach
#14

18. 4 Corner Redirect Pursuit Drill
Explanation: The basis of our defense. Hustle!
Drill: Coach tosses ball to corner. Defense pursuits to the corner
Start in the middle as apposed to the LOS w/normal.
Start in 2 point stance
Hit ground on whistle (Up Down)
Chop feet tell 2nd whistle
Pursuit to the direction of the head coach
Pursuit to the redirect of the 2nd coach.
Point of Emphases: Crowd 2nd coach.
End: 1st Defense, to 2nd to last
Note: Stay in your position don’t sneak back!
Coach
Coach F C C M S W $ E N T R
Coach
Coach
Coach
#15

19. 2 on 1 Profile Tackle O D D D D Coach
Explanation: 2 on 1 tackle in space
Drill: 2 on 1 Profile Tackle
Offense can do whatever inside the cones.
Can not loose profile.
Can not loose contain relationship.
Point of Emphases: Do not loose profile. Keep half man contain relationship with ball.
End: Defense, Offense & Out O D D D D
#16

20. 45 Degree Tackle Drill
45 Degree 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

21. Sideline Tackle Drill #18
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

22. 2 on 1 Tackle Drill
2 on 1 Tackle To teach DBs to tackle while maintaining proper leverage on the ball. 1. WR aligns on the sideline facing the QB.
2. CB aligns on the numbers six yards deep. FS is 10 yards deep between hash and numbers.
3. On command, WR runs toward QB and DBs backpedal for depth.
4. QB throws ball to WR who runs after the catch to sideline, middle of field, or to split between the DBs.
5. Once the ball has been thrown, the DBs take the proper angle toward the ball.
6. The goal is for the CB to keep the ball on his inside pad, the FS to keep it on his outside pad while tackling the WR, holding him to a minimal gain.
#19

23. Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip
Explanation: Tackle on angle line run
Drill: Pride Tackle/Tackle & Strip
Back picks a side at random or by direction of the coach.
On movement the Defender runs to fit up tackle.
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 O
Coach O
BAG D D
#20

24. Sled Tackle O D D D Explanation: Tackling! Drill: Sled Tackle
Point of Emphases: Tackle while running fit.
Run flush with sled.
Run feet and shoot guns!
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 O
Sled
“1 Man Sled” D D D
#21

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

26. Matt Tackle O O D D Large Matt
Explanation: Tackling from multiple angles
Drill: Matt Tackle
Point of Emphases: Eyes through hips, run feet, shoot the guns and grab clothe.
Tackle player onto the matt from a variety of angles. Side or 45 are preferred.
Rotate side by side in an alternating fashion.
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.
“On whistle”
Coach
Large Matt O O 1 2 D D
#22

27. 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!
Shuffle tell movement… DO NOT break tell movement!
Run feet with athletic base.
End: Defense, offense to out.
Note: Can add 2-3 at a time if numbers warrant.
“On whistle”
Coach O
Bag
“Shuffle to bag until movement” D D D
#23