The Machine Gun Drill: Developing Shedding and Tackling Skills
The Machine Gun Drill is designed to refine a defensive back’s ability to shed blocks, maintain gap control, and deliver effective tackles. By simulating the challenges of engaging multiple blockers, this drill develops the physicality, hand-fighting skills, and mental toughness required to succeed in the trenches.
Purpose
- Block Shedding: Develops the technique and explosiveness necessary to shed blocks and maintain gap integrity.
- Hand Fighting: Enhances hand placement, leverage, and striking ability to defeat blockers.
- Tackling Preparation: Prepares defensive backs for the physicality and challenges of tackling in confined spaces.
Description
Drill Setup
- Use a five-man blocking sled or alternatively, five defensive backs can hold pads or blocking shields to simulate the sled.
- Defensive backs line up at one side of the sled.
- Coach positions himself with a tackle donut behind the last pad (or the last player holding a blocking shield), or half of the defensive backs line up behind the last pad (or the last player holding a blocking shield) mimicking a ball carrier once the tackler comes off the last pad.
Drill Execution
- Jam and Shuffle: Defensive back steps into first pad, “Jam”, shuffles to and jams remaining pads
- Tackle: A the defensive back comes off the last pad he either performs a tackle against a tackle donut rolled by the coach in an 45 degree angle to the outside or he performs a form tackle on a player mimicking as a ball carrier, who runs at an 45 degree angle to the outside.
Variations
- Single Strike: Strike once first time through
- Double Strike: Strike twice second time through
- Both Ways: Go left to right and right to left
Variation
Coaching Points
- Hand Placement and Leverage: Emphasize proper hand placement and the use of leverage to gain control of the blocks.
- Footwork and Balance: Encourage quick, explosive footwork and maintaining a low center of gravity.
- Pad Level: Strive to maintain a low pad level throughout the drill to maximize power and leverage.
- Striking Technique: Teach defensive backs to use their hands aggressively to strike and shed blockers, but not to lean into the blocker.
- Tackling Fundamentals: Reinforce proper tackling technique, including wrapping up and driving through the tackle.
Equipment
- Five-man blocking sled or five blocking shields for players acting as blocking sled.
- Tackle donut (optional) for tackling practice.
Originally contributed in 2007 by Coach Leon Criner (✝️ Nov. 14, 2014), at the time Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator and Jimmy Sims, at the time Assistant Professor of Health & Physical Education / Head Football Coach at Los Angeles Valley College – The Los Angeles Valley College Monarchs played then in the Western States Conference, now in the SCFA, Southern California Football Association.
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