Dominate the Run Game: Mastering Angle Tackling with Your Linebackers
The Angle Tackling Drill is a cornerstone exercise for developing linebackers with the agility, explosiveness, and technique necessary to excel against outside zone running plays. This drill hones a linebacker’s ability to take an inside-out pursuit path to the ball carrier, effectively shutting down cutback lanes and securing tackles.
Purpose
- Sharpened Angle Tackling: The drill emphasizes proper footwork, hip explosion, and body positioning for tackling ball carriers approaching at a 45-degree angle. Linebackers refine their technique for taking an inside-out path and achieving leverage for a successful tackle.
- Improved Cutback Awareness: By simulating cutback situations, the drill challenges linebackers to maintain focus on the ball carrier’s inside hip, eliminating cutback lanes and forcing the ball carrier towards the sideline.
- Form to Full Contact: The drill offers a progression from form tackling to full-contact execution, allowing linebackers to build confidence and perfect technique before escalating intensity.
- Group Efficiency: The drill can be adapted for group practice, maximizing coaching efficiency and allowing multiple linebacker pairs to work simultaneously under the supervision of multiple coaches.
Description
Drill Setup
- Partner Up: Divide linebackers into pairs, designating one tackler and one ball carrier for each set of repetitions.
- Starting Position: The tackler assumes a proper athletic stance facing the ball carrier, approximately 5 yards apart. Feet should be shoulder-width apart, knees bent, and back flat. The ball carrier holds the football and mirrors the tackler’s movements.
- Cones (Optional): For added visual cues, cones can be placed 5 yards apart to mark the starting positions for both the tackler and ball carrier.
Drill Execution
- Ready Position: On the coach’s signal, the tackler establishes a “ready” position with weight balanced and eyes focused on the ball carrier. Feet should be actively shuffling, maintaining proper footwork and staying light on their toes.
- Ball Carrier Action: On the second command, the ball carrier takes two steps forward and then breaks at a 45-degree angle towards the sideline, simulating a cutback attempt.
- Inside-Out Pursuit: The moment the ball carrier breaks, the tackler explodes off the line, driving their outside leg towards the ball carrier’s inside hip. This creates an inside-out pursuit path, taking away the cutback lane.
- Drive and Secure: The tackler drives their feet and hips through contact, aiming to push the ball carrier back 2 yards and secure the tackle. Proper form tackling mechanics should be emphasized, including wrapping the arms around the ball carrier’s legs and driving them to the ground.
Variation
- Hawk Roll: This variation focuses on the “hawk roll” technique. Instead of getting their head across the ball carrier’s front, the tackler pus his near shoulder on the ball carrier’s near hip while rolling his hips around. This maneuver allows them to gain leverage and bring their body across the ball carrier’s path for a secure tackle.
Progressions
- Start with Form Tackling: Begin the drill with form tackling, focusing on proper footwork, body positioning, and tackling mechanics. Once linebackers demonstrate consistent technique, gradually progress to full-contact execution.
- Group Practice Efficiency: For group practice scenarios, assign multiple coaches to oversee no more than 2-3 linebacker pairs each. This allows for efficient coaching and ensures each pair receives personalized feedback and corrections.
- Ball Carrier Variations: Introduce variations to the ball carrier’s actions. Instead of a straight 45-degree cut, have them hesitate or stutter step before breaking outside, simulating situations where the ball carrier attempts to deceive the linebacker. These variations challenge linebackers to react quickly and adjust their pursuit angles accordingly.
- Cone Integration: As linebackers become comfortable with the drill, incorporate cones to mark not only the starting positions but also the designated cutback point for the ball carrier. This additional visual cue helps linebackers anticipate the cutback and refine their reaction timing.
- Maintain Focus on Technique: Even as intensity increases, prioritize proper technique over brute force. The goal is to develop efficient and effective tackling skills, not encourage reckless collisions.
Coaching Points
- Inside Hip Focus: Continually emphasize the importance of maintaining focus on the ball carrier’s inside hip throughout the drill. This ensures the linebacker takes an inside-out path and eliminates the cutback lane.
- Low Plane to High Plane: Stress the concept of working from a low plane to a high plane. The tackler should initiate the tackle by dipping their shoulder low and then explosively driving upwards to gain leverage.
- Hit on the Rise: Encourage linebackers to “hit on the rise” as they make contact with the ball carrier. This timing allows them to maximize the effectiveness of their tackle.
- Hawk Roll Technique: For the hawk roll variation, ensure linebackers understand the importance of delivering a blow with the shoulder and rolling their hips to gain leverage, not relying solely on arm tackles.
- Controlled Contact: Even during full-contact progressions, maintain a focus on proper technique over excessive force. Limit the drill area to a 5-yard square to minimize contact intensity while allowing for realistic tackling practice.
Equipment
- Football(s)
- Cones (optional)
The Angle Tackling Drill is a valuable asset for any football training program. By incorporating this drill, you equip your linebackers with the tools and techniques necessary to shut down outside zone running plays and dominate the run game. The drill’s versatility allows for customization and progression, making it adaptable for linebackers of various skill levels. So, implement the Angle Tackling Drill today, and watch your linebackers develop into sideline-to-sideline tackling machines!
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