Football Tackle Drills

Football is considered one of America's passions, and throwing the pigskin around can be a fun activity for any age. When learning to play football and practicing, it is important to learn how to tackle a player of the opposing team safely and correctly. Football tackling drills are designed to teach players how to hit and stop the ball carrier.

  1. Fit Position Tackle

    • In this drill, defensive players are split into two groups, ball carriers and defenders. The defenders charge the ball carriers, and attempt to tackle them in fit position, using the chest or shoulders with the head up. The player should have a shoulder-width stance and wrap their arms around the ball carrier. This allows players to get a feel for correct tackling form. Allow both sets of players to act as defenders.

    Goal Line Tackle

    • The objective of this drill is to teach defenders to tackle ball carriers in high-pressure situations. Separate the players into two groups and place cones on the goal line, about 5 yards apart. Put the defender at the line of scrimmage and the ball carrier about 3 yards away. Have the ball carrier attempt to score while the defender tries to stop him. The ball carrier should be instructed to continue the drive toward the goal line, until tackled.

    Open Field Tackle

    • This drill is used to help defenders learn tackling procedure in an open-field situation. In this scenario, the defenders are split into two groups: ball carriers and defenders. In this drill, the ball carrier starts at midfield and the defender starts behind the line of scrimmage, about 3 yards away. The ball carrier starts running in a straight line and quickly changes direction. This allows the defensive player to anticipate ball carrier's moves and act accordingly.

    Angle Tackle

    • This tackling drill, like the open-field tackle, teaches defenders to anticipate any move at any time. Here, the coach stands behind the defender and indicates to the ball carrier which way to run. The defender has no prior knowledge and must act quickly on his or her feet to tackle the ball carrier at an angle. The proper footing for an angle tackle is to run the defender's shoulder across the front of the carrier's body.