Defensive Football Drills – Proper Tackling and Positioning Drill

This drill has been one of the best for teaching my backfield and LB kids to learn to hit as opposed to get hit.   It is also very good for proper tackling and positioning. Even though I use this drill with my younger players, 8-9 year olds it works well for all ages.

Proper Tackling and Positioning Drill

1. I line my backs up on the 20 YARD LINE.   At the TEN YARD LINE, I place three lines of cones to create 2 (4) foot alleys.
2. At the back of the middle row of cones, I put a tackling dummy.
3. Behind that, on the ONE YARD LINE, my LB is ready in defensive positioning for the play.
4. At the hut, my back must take a proper handoff, creating a good basket and exploding through the handoff.
5. The back will have 8 or 9 yards to pick up speed, but must choose a side to run, right or left.
6. At the moment the back decides, my LB must meet the back in the hole.

Besides creating a good hit every time that fires our boys up, there are several things we are working on:
*   The backs take the hand-off and hit the hole full speed.
*   The back must also learn to cut decisively, moving the ball to the appropriate hand as they make the cut, and accelerate to impact to deliver a blow on the defender and run through contact.
*   The LB must learn to stay low and to attack the hole so they don’t get run over.