Chute and Tackle Drill      

Purpose:  To develop proper tackling technique in a “Real Game” situation under a controlled environment.

Equipment:  10 cones and 10 players (5 ball carriers and 5 tacklers)

How:  Place 2 cones 1 yard apart from each other.  Place 5 sets of these 3 yards apart (12 yards total).   Have 5 players on one side and 5 players on the other side.  Each pair takes a chute and gets 1-yard depth from the chute (2 yards total).  Each player lies down prone facing the chute and on “GO” both pop up the ball carrier hits the chute as fast as he can and the tackler must make a good tackle before he crosses the chute.  Stress to the tackler that they must be aggressive and attack the chute and the ball carrier.  The coach will call the side the ball is on.

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