Mastering the Fundamentals: The Come to Balance Tackling Drills
The Come to Balance Tackling Drills are designed to develop essential tackling fundamentals, including proper footwork, balance, and body positioning. By focusing on these key elements, defensive backs can improve their ability to make effective tackles.
Purpose
- Footwork and Balance: Develops precise footwork and a strong base for effective tackling.
- Body Positioning: Enhances the ability to maintain proper body alignment and leverage when approaching a ball carrier.
- Explosiveness: Improves the ability to accelerate and decelerate quickly, essential for making tackles in space.
Terminology:
Come to Balance – is referred to as the position in which the knees are slightly bent, feet shoulder width apart and body weight equally distributed in which a player can move in any direction in the shortest amount of time.
Shimmy – is referred to as the short choppy forward steps that a player takes after he has come to balance.
Description
Drill Setup
- All drill progressions start with having three defensive backs 5 yards apart facing the direction of the coach who is 15 yards from the players.
Drill Execution
Progression 1: Come to Balance
- On the coach’s command the defensive backs will sprint for 5 yards and come to balance while chopping their feet in place.
- On the coach’s next command the defensive backs will sprint past the coach.
Progression 2: Come to Balance with Shimmy Steps
- On the coach’s command the defensive backs will sprint for 5 yards and come to balance.
- Once the players have come to balance they will start shimmying their feet closing the distance between them and the coach.
- On the coach’s next command the defensive backs will sprint past the coach (players should maintain a good tackling position while shimmying).
Progression 3: Come Balance, Shimmy Steps with 45/90 degree breaks
This drill progression simulates a change of direction by the ball carrier. It is essential that the defensive backs take good directional steps in order to stay on the proper pursuit path.
- On the coach’s command the defensive backs will sprint for 5 yards and come to balance.
- Once the players have come to balance they will start shimmying their feet closing the distance between them and the coach.
- On the coach’s next command and signal the defensive backs will sprint at either a 45 or 90 degree angle for 5 yards.
- This drill will end with players coming to balance once more.
Progression 4: Putting it all together
This drill progression includes initial backpedaling and the transition from backpedaling to forward sprint to the drill to make the whole drill even more game like.
- On the coach’s command the defensive backs backpedal for 4 – 5 yards.
- On the coach’s next command the defensive backs will break and sprint forward to about their starting points and come to balance.
- Once the players have come to balance they will start shimmying their feet closing the distance between them and the coach.
- On the coach’s next command and signal the defensive backs will sprint at either a 45 or 90 degree angle for 5 yards.
- This drill will end with players coming to balance once more.
Variation
The idea of this variation is to apply the principles of balance, footwork, and change of direction to a live tackling scenario.
- Setup:
- Three defensive backs position themselves as ball carriers in front of the defensive backs about 5-6 yards from where they will start shimmying.
- The coach stands about 10 yards behind the defensive backs.
- Execution:
- Defensive backs execute the “Come to Balance with Shimmy Steps” progression as previously described in progression 3 or progression 4.
- Upon the coach’s signal, the ball carriers initiate movement (jogging or running) in the signaled direction.
- Defensive backs react to the ball carriers, maintaining proper form and perform a proper form tackle on the ball carrier.
Coaching Points
- Stay on the exact path (no drifting).
- Head up and eyes on the numbers
- Back always at a 45 degree angle
- Feet shoulder width apart
- Keep feet moving at all times
- Take good directional steps
- Don’t cross feet when transitioning from shimmying to angled sprints
Additional when running the variation:
- Emphasize proper tackling technique, including eye placement, shoulder tackling, and wrapping up.
- Stress the importance of maintaining balance and control throughout the tackle.
- Encourage defensive backs to finish tackles by driving through the ball carrier.
Equipment
- Cones (Optional, to mark the starting points)
By mastering the fundamentals of balance, footwork, and change of direction through the Come to Balance Tackling Drills, defensive backs will develop a solid foundation for effective tackling and overall defensive performance.
Originally contributed in 2007 by Coach Thomas Kearney, at the time Assistant Head Coach and Secondary Coach at Iowa Wesleyan Tigers (then Mid-States Football Association, NAIA, now UMAC, Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III ). In the meantime Associate Head Coach – Tight Ends at Truman State University. The Truman Bulldogs play in the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollgiate Athletic Association, NCAA Div. II)
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