Cross Face Tackle Drill: Dominating Open-Field Tackling in Special Teams
The Cross Face Tackle Drill is a dynamic training tool designed to refine open-field tackling skills within your special teams unit. This drill emphasizes proper technique for defeating blockers, navigating tight spaces, and executing secure open-field tackles on returners.
Purpose
- Blocker Shed: Develops the ability to effectively shed blockers and navigate through congested areas to reach the returner.
- Open-Field Tackling: Enhances open-field tackling skills, focusing on proper body position, angles, and secure tackle execution.
- Special Teams Focus: Prepares players for the specific challenges of tackling returners in punt and kickoff situations.
Description
Drill Setup
- Create the Diamond: Place four flat markers (or cones) in a diamond formation, with sides measuring approximately two yards each.
- Mark the Entry and Exit Points: Place one cone three yards directly above the top point of the diamond and another cone five yards directly below the bottom point of the diamond.
- Player Positioning:
- Tacklers line up behind the bottom cone, facing the diamond.
- Returners line up behind the top cone, also facing the diamond.
- Position two blockers, one on each side of the diamond, holding hand shields.
Drill Execution
- Tackler Approach: On the coach’s command, the tackler sprints five yards towards the diamond.
- Blocker Assignment: As the tackler begins their approach, the coach designates which blocker will attack the tackler (left or right).
- Blocker Shed: The tackler utilizes a powerful rip move to shed the blocker and quickly gain access to the open space within the diamond.
- Returner Run: Once the tackler enters the diamond, the returner sprints towards either the left or right corner.
- Open-Field Tackle: The tackler reads the returner’s direction, adjusts their angle of pursuit, and closes the distance for a secure open-field tackle.
- Drive and Stop: The tackler aims for a low tackle, wrapping up the returner and driving through the tackle to stop their momentum and push them backward.
Variations and Progressions
- Increase Difficulty: Gradually decrease the size of the diamond as players develop proficiency, forcing them to navigate tighter spaces and react quicker.
- Late Choice of Direction: The returner first starts running right at the top tip of the diamond before breaking hard to either the left or right, challenging the tackler’s ability to react and adjust quickly.
- Tackling Variations: Introduce different tackling techniques, such as the hawk roll, to teach the tacklers the right tackling technique for different situations. – For that the returner might not only breat to the side marker of the diamond but also farther to the side to give the tackler a different angle.
Coaching Points
- Blocker Shed:
- Emphasize proper hand placement and technique for the rip move to effectively shed the blocker.
- Encourage explosive movement and a quick first step to gain an advantage over the blocker.
- Open-Field Tackling:
- Reinforce the importance of maintaining a low athletic stance with knees bent and weight centered.
- Stress proper angles of pursuit to cut off the returner’s path and achieve a secure tackle.
- Focus on head positioning, keeping eyes focused on the returner’s hips to read their movements.
- Tackling Execution:
- Reiterate the importance of wrapping up the returner with both arms for a secure tackle.
- Emphasize driving through the tackle to stop the returner’s forward momentum and prevent a return.
- Instruct players to avoid taking the returner to the ground in this drill; the focus is on stopping their progress.
Equipment
- 4 Flat markers (or cones)
- 2 Cones
- Footballs
- 2 Hand Shields
By incorporating the Cross Face Tackle Drill into your special teams practices, you will enhance your players’ ability to navigate complex situations:
- Improved Blocker Shedding: Develops effective techniques to overcome blockers and gain access to the returner.
- Enhanced Open-Field Tackling: Refines open-field tackling skills, leading to more secure stops on returners.
- Increased Confidence: Fosters confidence in tackling returners in space, a key element of successful special teams play.
The Cross Face Tackle Drill is a versatile and valuable tool for building a well-rounded special teams unit capable of shutting down returners and maximizing field position.
Originally contributed in 2007 by Coach Randy Hedberg, at that time Head Coach at St. Cloud State University – The St. Cloud State Huskies are playing in the NCAA II North Central Conference (NCC).
Randy Hedberg is now the Associate Head Coach at the NDSU Bisons, which play in the NCAA Div I MVFC
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