The building blocks of football are blocking and tackling. This is true at the highest and lowest levels of the game. Coaches can devise innovative plays designed to fool their opponents, but if teams struggle with blocking and tackling the creativity won't matter. Tackling takes hard work, efficient movement and courage.
Angle Drill
Coaches stress taking the proper angle when trying to tackle a ball carrier. In this drill, the ball carrier takes off at a 45-degree angle to the right or left on the coach's whistle. The tackler is placed about 8 yards in front of the ball carrier. There are two blockers and two defensive tackles between the ball carrier and the tackler. The tackler must hit and tackle the ball carrier by hitting him with his inside shoulder and wrapping up the ball carrier before the ball carrier gets to the tackle's starting position. This drill makes sure the tackler is aggressive in his pursuit of the ball carrier.
Oklahoma Drill
This is a drill that will tell a coach whether a player can handle tackling responsibilities in game conditions. In this drill, an offensive lineman and the tackler line up across from each other. Two cones are set up three yards to the left and right of the blocker and tackler. On the coach's whistle, the running back gets the ball and tries to run between the cones. The defender must play off the block and tackle the runner. This drill is done at full speed and mimics game conditions.
Chase Drill
In this drill, the ball carrier gets the ball with a 2-yard head start on the tackler. The tackler has to run at full speed, catch the ball carrier and try to strip the ball. The stripping cannot occur until the ball carrier is secured. A player who loses control of the ball carrier while attempting to force a fumble could be responsible for his team giving up a big play or losing a game. The tackle must be ensured before the tackler tries to strip the ball.
