Football tackling 101
Tackling is fundamental to football, and should receive proper attention at practices. Tackling can be fun and exhilarating, but done improperly and it can be dangerous. Here are three important steps to practice:
First, plant yourself in front of your opponent. Plant your cleats in the grass squarely in front and in the middle, bisecting the player in half. Also, at this time thrust your arms backward to prepare for the next step.
Second, push your other foot keeping your knees low and bent, and in sync with your feet throw your hands up hard around the offensive player. As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact. The one golden rule in making a safe tackle is to never, ever lead with or try to tackle with the crown of your head. A great way to insure that you are in the right position is to practice touching your facemask to the football of the opposing player.
Third, throw your hips up and hard as you drive the offensive player backwards. The squarer you are in the first step the easier it will be to perform the third step.
Powerful Blocking Strategy: Double Teaming
In various plays whether you are on offense or defense you will want to have a strategic advantage over your opponents. One such strategy or technique is the use of double teaming on the line of scrimmage. In essence you take two blockers or linemen and have them go after the same person. If you ever need to get a running back through or perform a great blitz, remember this technique. To execute this properly have both linemen step together at the same time and lock their hips together. They form a wall that the opponent cannot break. Concentrate on this wall so that the opponent cannot duck around or go through the double team. Also, this maneuver needs to happen quickly and efficiently.
Strip Tackling
In order to win football games you need to have possession of the football. Forcing a fumble is one of the quickest ways that you can turn the tides and retain possession of the football. A great way to practice is have two players line up, one as the defense, the other with the football as the offense. As the offender runs ahead of the defender, have the defender bring his clenched hands up quickly, and forcefully, as he aims his hand at offenders football. Practice these movements slowly to start muscle memory and to correct bad habits.
Making and effective Angle Tackle
The reason for angle tackles is simple, cover the shortest area to get to the tackle, but there is still a great need to practice this technique. This can be done by having a player run with the ball on a straight line with the defender at any angle. It is great to take this in slow steps to show the defender in a fluid motion how to the quickest angle to take towards the ball carrier, plant his cleats squarely in the middle of the ball carrier, and to always remember safety and effectiveness by placing the head in front of the offensive player. The defender follows through with the tackle by straightening his knees in a lunging type motion, wrapping his arms around the ball carrier to pull him down to the ground or push him off sides.
Tackling is fundamental to football, and should receive proper attention at practices. Tackling can be fun and exhilarating, but done improperly and it can be dangerous. Here are three important steps to practice:
First, plant yourself in front of your opponent. Plant your cleats in the grass squarely in front and in the middle, bisecting the player in half. Also, at this time thrust your arms backward to prepare for the next step.
Second, push your other foot keeping your knees low and bent, and in sync with your feet throw your hands up hard around the offensive player. As your feet plants your head should be making its first contact. The one golden rule in making a safe tackle is to never, ever lead with or try to tackle with the crown of your head. A great way to insure that you are in the right position is to practice touching your facemask to the football of the opposing player.
Third, throw your hips up and hard as you drive the offensive player backwards. The squarer you are in the first step the easier it will be to perform the third step.
Powerful Blocking Strategy: Double Teaming
In various plays whether you are on offense or defense you will want to have a strategic advantage over your opponents. One such strategy or technique is the use of double teaming on the line of scrimmage. In essence you take two blockers or linemen and have them go after the same person. If you ever need to get a running back through or perform a great blitz, remember this technique. To execute this properly have both linemen step together at the same time and lock their hips together. They form a wall that the opponent cannot break. Concentrate on this wall so that the opponent cannot duck around or go through the double team. Also, this maneuver needs to happen quickly and efficiently.
Strip Tackling
In order to win football games you need to have possession of the football. Forcing a fumble is one of the quickest ways that you can turn the tides and retain possession of the football. A great way to practice is have two players line up, one as the defense, the other with the football as the offense. As the offender runs ahead of the defender, have the defender bring his clenched hands up quickly, and forcefully, as he aims his hand at offenders football. Practice these movements slowly to start muscle memory and to correct bad habits.
Making and effective Angle Tackle
The reason for angle tackles is simple, cover the shortest area to get to the tackle, but there is still a great need to practice this technique. This can be done by having a player run with the ball on a straight line with the defender at any angle. It is great to take this in slow steps to show the defender in a fluid motion how to the quickest angle to take towards the ball carrier, plant his cleats squarely in the middle of the ball carrier, and to always remember safety and effectiveness by placing the head in front of the offensive player. The defender follows through with the tackle by straightening his knees in a lunging type motion, wrapping his arms around the ball carrier to pull him down to the ground or push him off sides.
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