Defensive Line Tackling

Photo by Nick Laham Getty Images

Defensive linemen seldom have the opportunity to make picture-perfect tackles similar to those made by linebackers and defensive backs. More often than not, when working in the pit with blockers attacking quickly from all directions, a defensive lineman will be hard pressed to wrap up a balI carrier by himself. But it still is important for defensive linemen to know the proper position for making a tackle.

Tackling should be taught slowly--at half speed--until the players are using the correct technique and have overcome their natural fear of contact. Body position and technique are much more important than the force of the hit.

The two most important elements of tackling for all defensive linemen are: bending at the knees, not the waist; and keeping the head up and never looking down at the ground. If a defensive lineman remembers and practices these elements, he should become a solid tackler with a decreased chance of suffering serious injury. One other element-desire-cannot be taught, but is instrumental in tackling success.

Drill: Open-Field Tackling

The defensive linemen are divided equally into two groups, 15 yards apart, facing one another. The members of one group serve as the ball carriers and the other group members are the tacklers.

On the command "Hit!," one ball carrier and one tackler run straight ahead five yards. The ball carrier then cuts, without faking, at a 45-degree angle to his right or left and runs in that direction.

As the tackler nears the end of his five yards, he shortens his stride and momentarily hesitates until he is absolutely certain of the direction of the cut by the ball carrier. Once the tackler determines the direction of the cut by the ball carrier, he breaks in that direction and prepares to make the tackle. It is important for the tackler to shorten his stride as he comes closer to the ball carrier, gathering himself so he can explode up and through the man with the ball.

At the moment of contact, the tackler pushes 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 striking the ball carrier with his shoulder pad. The tackler pounds the insides of his elbows and forearms into the chest and back of the man with the ball. The instant his arms make contact, they will have a tendency to bounce off, and the tackler will feel his hands making contact with the ball carrier. When this occurs, the tackler grabs the ball carrier's jersey with both hands, thus preventing him from advancing up the field. It is important for the ball carrier to keep running and not stop when he sees that contact is about to occur.

The tackler should not drive the ball carrier to the ground but should explode into the ball carrier, grab his jersey, and stop his forward movement.

It is important to remember to have both players run at half speed when first teaching open-field tackling. As confidence builds and tackling techniques improve, the speed of the drill can be increased. Regardless of the speed of the drill, proper technique and not the force of the hit are what should be emphasized.

After the tackle has been made, the two men change places, go to the end of the proper line, and wait their turn. The drill continues until each defensive lineman has had an opportunity to make a tackle to his left and right.

Drill: Shed and Tackle

In this drill, there is an offensive blocker for the defensive lineman to shed before he tackles the ball carrier. This drill simulates game conditions for the defensive lineman. A majority of the tackles made by defensive linemen are made in this manner.

The offensive blocker fires out into the defensive lineman, but doesn't try to drive him off the line. Remember, this is a drill to teach how to tackle and not how to shed a block.

Initially, the defensive lineman is given responsibility to make the tackle only on one side of the blocker (the side of his gap responsibility), and the ball carrier cuts and runs to that side.

On the command "Hit!," the blocker charges into the defensive lineman. The defensive lineman meets the charge of the blocker with his shoulder pads and helmet, always keeping his head to the side of his gap responsibility. As the defensive lineman's shoulder pads make contact, he strikes a blow with both hands into the upper chest area of the blocker, pushing the blocker away from the defensive lineman's gap responsibility. As the defensive lineman sheds the blocker, he gets his head up and locates the ball carrier.

The ball carrier runs directly at the blocker, then cuts to the side of the defensive lineman's gap responsibility. It is important for the ball carrier to cut near the hip of the offensive blocker, to keep running, and not to stop when he sees the tackle is about to be made.

At the point of contact with the ball carrier, the defensive lineman explodes up and through the ball carrier, keeping his back straight and using the big muscles in his legs to stop the ball carrier's momentum. The defensive lineman wraps both arms around the ball carrier and attempts to drive him back a few steps. In this drill, it is not necessary for the tackler to drive the ball carrier to the ground.

Each defensive lineman should have an opportunity to make a tackle going to his right and left. During this drill, players should rotate from the roles of ball carrier, blocker, and defensive player.

"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.