Tackle Drills - Defense

• Meant to teach the proper angle, approach and finish of an angle tackle.
• Two lines
• Offensive player runs down line

Points of emphasis:

• Defense needs to close down distance quickly
• Low pad level
• Head behind and wrap
• Defensive player trails by half step to take away cut back

• Partner up with tackling Bag.
• One partner holds bag
• Defender is on his knees
• Cock back arms, Wrap up bag and roll to the same side as you put your head.
• Get reps on each side of the bag and then switch partners.
• This drill can be done in progressions starting with just cocking back arms and wrapping. Incorporate the Hawk Roll last.

• Offensive player with back to defense. Picks up ball on whistle and runs towards defender.
• Defensive player starts on their back with helmet towards offense. Gets up and runs towards offense on whistle.

Points of emphasis:

• Defender should get their numbers on the ball carriers numbers with head up and off to the side with low pad level.
• Must keep feet driving on contact. Drill ends when defender drives offense back 5 yards.

• Coach can roll the wheel either way. (1st time learning tell players which way)
• Defender attacks back of wheel with head up and behind the wheel.
• Defender cocks back arms, rips, wraps and finishes with hawk roll.

Points of emphasis:

• Defender should be low but head up!
• Defender should run feet through the tackle and not dive at the wheel. Only leave feet to hawk roll.

• Defender starts 10 yards away from offensive player holding a hand bag.
• Defender sprints 5 yards, then shimmys down as he closes in on bag.

Points of emphasis:

• Make sure bag holder holds the bag low when he picks a side.
• Defender should cock arms back and rip and wrap up with low hips and pad level.
• Bag holder picks a side for defender to form tackle.

1. Drill can be done on Air, Sled, Bags or another Teammate
2. Start in a defensive stance(Head up. Dominate hand down Opposite hand up by head-ready to attack. Have Dominate foot back toe to heal)
3. (Preferably on Ball movement) While staying LOW the Player takes 2, quick steps forward and extending arms until elbows lock and hands are making bat wings to simulate attacking the O-Lines chestplate/Numbers It can be done Air or Bags

1. Drill can be done on Sled, Bags or with another teammate
2. Start with 6 points of contact on the ground. 2 feet,2 knees & 2 hands
3. (Preferably on Ball movement) Player thrust hips forward while getting full extension(to simulate attacking the O-Lines chestplate/Numbers.

1. Drill is done on Air with 3-5 players in their defensive positions
2. Start in a defensive stance (Head up. Dominate hand down Opposite hand up by head-ready to attack. Have Dominate foot back toe to heal)
3. (Preferably on Ball movement) While staying LOW the Player takes 2 quick steps forward and extending arms until elbows lock and hands are making bat wings to simulate attacking the O-Lines chestplate/Numbers It can be done Air or Bags
4. Lineman feet are chopping to max of 1 yard beyond LOS
5. Coach Standing in front of Players points a direction
6. Players Cut hard and sprint “Down the Line of Scrimmage)in the direction the coach pointed.

Backpedal and break on the coach lifting the ball. 45 degrees forward. 90 degrees out. Then 135 degree back. Do this on each side.

Backpedal 5 yards and break forward. I emphasize being low and weight forward (nose over toes)

DB backpedals and the coach throws it to one of 4 corners. DB breaks out of backpedal and tries to catch ball in the air.

3 DBs backpedal and work to get depth. Weave with coach pointing left and right.

WR weaves up and down the field at about 70% speed. DB backpedals and weaves with him trying to keep a 5-yard cushion.

• 3 cones need for this drill - Ball carrier, Defensive Wrapper, Defensive Stripper
• 1st man in form tackles ball carrier and secures wrap
• 2nd man in comes in and strips the football
• Defender should attack ball when it’s on the ground.

• Defender lines up right behind offensive player with ball.
• Offense shows which hand he is carrying the ball in and runs forward.
• Defender pins the ball carrier’s off arm and rips the ball out of the other hand.
• Defender should aggressively scoop ball off the ground when it becomes loose.
• Variation: Defender can punch ball out if he sees the bottom of the ball underneath the ball carrier’s arm.
• Get reps on each side of the bag and then switch partners.
• This drill can be done in progressions starting with just cocking back arms and wrapping. Incorporate the Hawk Roll last.

• 4 Guys involved in drill. Bag holder, blocker, Tackler, Ball Recoverer.
• Blocker starts with hands on Tackler. Tackler rips through block and strip tackles dummy. Coach throws ball and 2nd defender scoops and scores.

• Line facing coach on the 10 yard line.
• Coach throws the ball on the ground
• Player bends knees and scoops with two hands. If clean scoop, the player sprints through to the back of the endzone. Sprinting to the back ensures the ball carrier scores and does not get injured by being tackled as he crosses the goal-line. This is something we require of all our ball carriers.
• If the scoop is bobbled, the defender must fall on the ball and cradle it on the ground. Do not lay on top of the ball!

• Coach stand 10 yards away from line
• For Secondary: Throw the ball to the right or left. First guys breaks on ball and tips it in the air. Second man in line attacks ball after it is tipped and runs it back to the coach.
• Defensive Line: Have them rush the QB (coach) with their hands up. They need to stay on their feet and track the QB. Give them pump fakes to ensure they stay on their feet. Throw at their hands for a possible tip. Second guys trials and catches the ball.