HEADS UP TACKLING

• Using proper verbiage for a safer, more positive game

• Helping player and parents become more confident when contact occurs

• Using levels of contact in practice

• The 5 fundamentals of Heads Up Tackling

• Applying the 5 fundamentals to other tackle drills

WHAT PARENTS & PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW

TERMINOLOGYAs a coach, our words convey powerful messages and tell young players what is important

What are you actually telling your player to do?

Point of contact

Consistent terminology leads to better teaching

PSYCHOLOGY OF BUILDING CONFIDENCE

• Some youth are instinctively aggressive and eager for contact; many more have some initial reservations

– The initial fear is real

• How to overcome the fear

• Confidence comes through repeated success

• Look for behavior signs of youngsters lacking confidence

• Kids play sports for fun

• Levels of contact

POINTS OF CONTACT & TERMINOLOGY

The point of contact is the area of the tackler that makes contact first with an opposing ball-carrier

USA Football teaches the shoulder tackle as part of its Heads Up Tackling program

The defender “slides” his head to the side of an oncoming ball-carrier as he initiates contact

BREAKDOWN BUZZ HIT POSITION SHOOT RIP

TACKLE PROGRESSION

BREAKDOWN• Knees bent, feet shoulder-width apart, upper

body in a 45-degree lean, chin up and over toes

• Weight on balls of feet (not toes)

• Players gather themselves in a breakdown position when “buzzing” the feet

Teaching progression: FEET SQUEEZE SINK HANDS

BUZZ• Quick, choppy, heel-to-toe steps to bring

the body under control while continuing to gain ground

• Once within “striking distance” of ball-carrier, buzz feet to widen base and sink the hips

• Keep original 45-degree lean

HIT POSITION• Body position at moment of impact

• After closing to the ball-carrier, take a short downhill power step

• Have a bend in both knees, with back foot directly under your hips

• Head and eyes up, shoulders square to contact

SHOOT• Forcefully explode hips open and upward

• Use large muscle groups of lower body to produce a powerful tackle

• To finish, continue to the drive legs while working up and through opponent

RIP• Upper body movement to secure the tackle

• “Punch” both arms in an uppercut motion to backside of ball carrier

• Work up and through, not around; “climb” the ball-carrier

• Secure tackle by “grabbing cloth” at back of ball-carrier’s jersey with elbows tight to his sides

LEVELS OF CONTACTAIR LIVE ACTIONTHUDCONTROLBAGS

Players run a drill unopposed without contact.

Drill is run against a bag or another soft-contact surface.

Drill is run at assigned speed until the moment of contact; one player is pre-determined the “winner” by the coach. Contact remains above the waist, and players stay on their feet.

Drill is run at assigned speed through the moment of contact; no pre-determined “winner.” Contact remains above the waist, players stay on their feet and a quick whistle ends the drill.

Drill is run in game-like conditions and is the only time that players are taken to the ground.

• Using proper verbiage for a safer, more positive game

• Helping player and parents become more confident when contact occurs

• Using levels of contact in practice

• The 5 fundamentals of Heads Up Tackling

• Applying the 5 fundamentals to other tackle drills

WHAT PARENTS & PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW