Mastering the Open Field: The Linebacker Open Field Tackling Drill
The Open Field Tackling Drill is a cornerstone exercise for developing linebackers who excel in making tackles in the vast expanse of the open field. Unlike situations near the line of scrimmage, open field tackles demand exceptional agility, reaction time, and proper tackling technique to bring down elusive ball carriers. This drill equips linebackers with the skills to stay square, react effectively to jukes and shimmies, and execute secure tackles in open space.
Purpose
- Enhanced Open Field Tackling: The drill hones a linebacker’s ability to navigate the open field, maintain proper body positioning, and react quickly to the ball carrier’s movements. Linebackers develop the skills to stay with the ball carrier and capitalize on tackling opportunities.
- Balance and Footwork: The drill emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance and proper footwork throughout the engagement. Linebackers learn to adjust their movements efficiently while keeping their hips square and ready for contact.
- Controlled Contact Progression: The drill offers a progression from simulating contact to full-speed tackling, allowing linebackers to build confidence and perfect technique before escalating intensity.
Description
Drill Setup
- Partner Up: Divide linebackers into pairs, designating one defender and one ball carrier for each set of repetitions.
- Starting Position: Partners stand facing each other, approximately 2-3 yards apart. The defender assumes a proper athletic stance with knees bent, chest over knees, head up, and eyes focused on the ball carrier. The ball carrier can hold a football (optional) and mirrors the defender’s stance.
Drill Execution
Step 1: Mirror Movement and Staying Square
- Controlled Movement: On the coach’s signal, the ball carrier begins shuffling laterally or taking small steps forward and backward, simulating jukes and hesitation moves.
- Defender Reaction: The defender mirrors the ball carrier’s movements, maintaining proper footwork and a low center of gravity. They should stay square with their hips, keeping their body aligned for potential contact.
- Coaching Emphasis: Continually emphasize the importance of maintaining balance, proper footwork, and keeping the hips square. The defender should stay light on their toes and be ready to react explosively when the ball carrier commits to a direction.
Step 2: Controlled Contact Progression
- Variable Speed: On the coach’s command, the ball carrier either sprints at full speed or walks towards the defender at half speed. This simulates situations where the ball carrier attempts to break away or controls the tempo of the open field.
- Defender Response: The defender reacts accordingly. For a full-speed ball carrier, the defender executes a form tackle or controlled thud tackle (depending on drill progression). For a half-speed ball carrier, the defender mirrors their speed and performs a lighter “thud” tackle.
- Coaching Emphasis: At this stage, focus on proper tackling technique, emphasizing solid contact with the shoulder and a strong wrap-up with the arms around the ball carrier’s body. In the full-speed scenario, ensure the defender maintains proper form and avoids launching themselves at the ball carrier.
Step 3: Role Reversal
- Partner Switch: Once both partners have completed repetitions as defender and ball carrier, have them switch roles and repeat the drill.
Variations
- Cone Integration (Optional): For added complexity, incorporate cones to mark specific points on the field. The ball carrier can be instructed to touch each cone before reaching the defender, simulating situations where they attempt to change direction and gain separation.
Open Field Pursuit Integration
- Setup: Maintain the original starting positions for the defender and ball carrier. In addition to the cones marking specific points, place another cone approximately 10-15 yards directly downfield from the defender’s starting position (simulating the ball carrier’s potential running lane).
- Execution: On the coach’s signal, the ball carrier initiates movement, mirroring the original drill variations (shuffling, juking, sprinting full speed, etc.). The defender reacts accordingly, maintaining proper tackling form or controlled contact based on the drill stage.
- Pursuit Trigger: Introduce a coach’s whistle or visual cue (hand signal) as a trigger for the ball carrier to commit to a designated running lane (touching the downfield cone). Once triggered, the ball carrier sprints towards the downfield cone at full speed.
- Defender Reaction: The whistle or visual cue serves as the defender’s trigger to explosively pursue the ball carrier at full speed. They should focus on taking the proper pursuit angle to cut off the ball carrier’s path to the downfield cone and attempt a tackle before they reach it.
This variation integrates elements of open field pursuit into the Open Field Tackling Drill, challenging linebackers to react quickly, take proper pursuit angles, and combine their tackling skills with their chasing abilities in a more dynamic open field scenario.
Coaching Points
- Balance and Hips: Continually emphasize the importance of maintaining balance throughout the drill. The defender’s hips should remain square, allowing them to react quickly and change direction efficiently.
- Head Up and Eyes Focused: Remind linebackers to keep their heads up with eyes focused on the ball carrier’s chest or hips. This allows them to track the ball carrier’s movements and anticipate potential jukes or cuts.
- Hands Active: Encourage linebackers to keep their hands active throughout the drill. They should use their hands to disrupt the ball carrier’s balance and maintain good positioning for a tackle.
- Controlled Contact Progression: As confidence and technique improve, gradually increase the intensity of the tackling aspect of the drill. Start with form tackles, progress to controlled thuds, and eventually incorporate full-speed tackling with proper form.
for the pursuit integration
- Reaction to Pursuit Trigger: Emphasize the importance of reacting explosively to the coach’s whistle or visual cue. This simulates situations in a game where the linebacker identifies the ball carrier’s commitment to a specific direction and needs to react quickly to close the distance.
- Proper Pursuit Angles: Reinforce the concept of taking proper pursuit angles based on the ball carrier’s committed running lane. The defender should adjust their course to cut off the ball carrier’s path and minimize the space available for them to gain yards.
- Balance Speed and Technique: Stress the importance of maintaining a balance between aggressive pursuit speed and proper tackling technique. While closing the distance quickly is crucial, linebackers should aim to execute a secure tackle upon reaching the ball carrier.
Equipment
- Footballs (optional)
- Cones (optional)
The Open Field Tackling Drill equips your linebackers with the essential tools to excel in the vast expanse of the open field. Through a combination of mirror movement, controlled contact progression, and role reversal, linebackers develop the ability to stay square with elusive ball carriers, react effectively to jukes and shimmies, and ultimately secure tackles to minimize offensive gains. This drill offers a versatile foundation, allowing coaches to progress from basic movements to more complex scenarios that challenge linebackers’ reaction time, decision-making, and tackling technique. By incorporating the Open Field Tackling Drill into your linebacker training program, you can be confident your defenders will be prepared to shut down plays and dominate the open field.
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