Tackling

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Missing a tackle is one of the worst sins a defensive back can commit. The other defensive players may miss a tackle and know there always will be someone else between the ball carrier and the goal line who can prevent the touchdown. Defensive backs don't have that luxury.

Because defensive backs are the last line of defense, missed tackles in the secondary usually result in long gains or touchdowns. There is no lonelier feeling on the football field than the one felt by a defensive back when he is out in the open field, alone with a ball carrier, with no help in sight, and all the fans and his coaches and teammates watching to see if he will make the tackle or if he will allow the ball carrier to score.

While correct tackling style and technique should be emphasized and taught, it also is important that the defensive back understand he must grab the ball carrier any way he can. Even if it is not a picture-perfect tackle, he must hold on to the ball carrier and wait for help to arrive from his fellow defensive players.

More often than not, a defensive back is asked to tackle an offensive player who is much larger than he is. Tackling someone larger takes guts, but is not difficult to attempt if the player is taught safe and proper techniques from the beginning. These skills must be taught slowly, with the initial emphasis on proper body position and not on the force of the hit. Little or no learning can take place when the player is afraid of being injured.

When teaching correct body position for tackling, constant emphasis must be placed on the tackler bending his knees and not leaning forward at the waist, thus keeping his back as straight as possible. He always must keep his head up, never looking down at the ground and exposing his neck to injury. Tackle with the shoulder pad and not the helmet.

Knowledge of proper tackling technique is one of the greatest assets in helping a player overcome his natural fear of injury. It gives the player the desire and determination to take on ball carriers in the open field.

Drill: Open-Field Tackling

It is best to start with straight-ahead tackling when first working with defensive backs, even though most tackles they will make will not be of this type. What we are teaching is not proper tackling technique, not trying to simulate game conditions.

For this drill, the defensive backs are divided into two groups. One group does the tackling, while the members of the other group serve as ball carriers.

On the command "Hit!," both the ball carrier and the tackler move straight ahead for five yards. As the tackler nears the end of the five yards, he should shorten his stride and hesitate momentarily, keeping his eyes focused on the ball carrier's numbers until he is certain which way the ball carrier is going to cut.

The ball carrier, after running straight ahead for five yards, buts, without faking, at a 45-degree angle to his right or left and runs in that direction.

The tackler, once he sees the direction of the ball carrier's cut, also breaks in that direction and prepares to make the tackle. The tackler must shorten his stride as he gets closer to the man with the ball, gathering himself so he can explode up and through the ball carrier. The ball carrier must attempt to keep running on his course and not stop when he sees that the tackle is about to be made.

At the moment of contact, the tackler should push off his foot nearest the ball carrier, keeping his back straight, his head up, and his eyes open. He should place his head in front of the ball carrier's chest and pound the inside of his elbows into the ball carrier's chest and back. The instant the defender's elbows make contact they will bounce off, and the tackler will feel his hands coming in contact with the ball carrier. When this happens, the tackler should grab the ball carrier's jersey, stopping any further advance up the field. In this drill, it is not necessary for the tackler to drive the man to the ground, but we do want him to explode into the ball carrier, grab his jersey, and stop his forward movement.

After being tackled, the ball carrier should go to the end of the line of the players preparing to tackle, and the tackler should go to the end of the line of the ball carriers.

When learning the basics of tackling, it is important that both players in the drill run at only half speed. As techniques become better, fear will be reduced and the confidence of the players will improve. The speed of the drill then can be increased. The drill continues until each player has had an opportunity to make a tackle on the ball carrier going both to the right and left.

Drill: Angled Open-Field Tackling

This drill starts with the ball carrier and the tackler eight yards apart. On the command "Hit!," the ball carrier will run straight up the field for five yards, then cut at a 90-degree angle, running straight for the sideline.

At the same time the defensive back is backpedaling five yards, and, when he sees the ball carrier make his cut, he rolls over his foot and drives to a point 10 yards in front of the ball carrier to make his tackle. As he reaches the ball carrier he uses all the same techniques and assumes the same correct body positions that were described in the preceding drill.

This drill is used to simulate the type of tackle that most defensive backs will be called upon to make during the course of a game following a reception by an offensive receiver. The tackler must make certain that he does not allow the ball carrier to be in position to turn up the field. Each player should have the opportunity to make a tackle to his right and left before the drill ends.

Drill: Close Sideline Tackling

This is one of the most important tackling drills for defensive backs. It often is up to them to make certain that a ball carrier does not have the opportunity to run free up the sideline for a touchdown. It may be necessary to allow the ball carrier to gain a few yards, but he must not be allowed to break away.

In setting up this drill, the ball carrier and the tackler line up five yards apart. The defensive back who is to serve as the ball carrier lines up four yards from the sideline, straddling the yard line, with his body angled, facing the back of the ball carrier.

The coach starts the drill by tossing the ball to the ball carrier. The instant he catches it, the ball carrier spins around and faces up the field. At the same time the tackler take two steps forward, stops, and runs in place, while still maintaining his angle toward the sideline.

At this point, the ball carrier is free to go in any direction he desires, faking any number of times, before making his final dash for the open field. The tackler must wait in position, not committing one way or the other until the ball carrier starts running to the inside or trying to run straight up the field. When the runner crosses his nose, the tackler must open up with his foot in the direction the ball carrier is going, and move on a path that will put him in position to make the tackle after the ball carrier has run two or three more yards. If the tackler crosses his feet instead of opening up, usually he will miss the tackle and merely chase the ball carrier. In this drill, the defensive back should remember that he must grab the ball carrier and that he is trying to buy time that will allow his teammates to come to his aid.

"Play Football The NFL Way" is the first Instructional Manual for Football Players and Coaches ever published by the NFL. It is the ultimate position-by-position guide of techniques and drills for Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Author Tom Bass is a former NFL coach with more than 20 years of experience with the Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For a personalized autographed copy of "Play Football the NFL Way," plus information on Coach Bass Sport Maps--the new Official NFL Licensed Football Guides to watching, enjoying and understanding all the action on the field, for all fans--please visit www.CoachBass.com.

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Copyright © Thomas L. Bass 2006. All rights reserved.