Angle Tackle Drill

Purpose:  To develop proper tackling and pursuit techniques on a ball carrier facing at an angle.

Equipment:  3 cones, ball, and a ball carrier.

How:  The ball carrier waits for the coach to hand him the ball with a proper “plate”.  On “GO” the coach hands the ball off at the same time the ball carrier takes off towards to distant end cone.  The tackler must take an angle that will bring him to the ball carrier.  He has to lead the runner and his head must be in the front of the ball carrier as he tackles.  As they finish they go to the end of the opposite line.  This is not about speed but about taking a good angle on the runner.  The slower the tackler the wider the angle.

 

Form Tackling Technique

1.             Hit (breakdown position; knees bent, tail back, arch in back, neck against helmet, eyes up)

2.             Fit (shoulder to numbers, helmet to side of the ball, eyes to sky, upper body between ball carrier and goal line)

3.             Lock (At instant of contact, wrap arms around ball carrier’s thighs and squeeze him with your arms pressing in ward, lift his butt of the ground)

4.             Lift (forward thrust of hips and driving your shoulder pads into his chest will create lift)

5.             Drive (use legs, upper body holds tight, move ball carrier up and back)

 

SAFETY:   STRESS HEAD UP “EYES TO THE SKY”, SERIOUS NECK AND/OR SPINAL INJURY CAN RESULT FROM PLACING THE HEAD DOWN