Mirror Tackle Drill: Mastering Open-Field Tackling
The Mirror Tackle Drill is designed to refine open-field tackling techniques, emphasizing patience, footwork, and secure tackles. This drill simulates the dynamic nature of tackling returners in the open field, requiring tacklers to react quickly and execute proper tackling fundamentals.
Purpose
- Open-Field Tackling: Develops and refines open-field tackling techniques, focusing on maintaining proper body position, footwork, and closing the distance effectively.
- Patience and Timing: Teaches players to be patient, read the returner’s movements, and time their tackle attempt for a secure stop.
- Wrapping Up: Reinforces the importance of wrapping up the ball carrier for a complete tackle and preventing fumbles.
Description
Drill Setup
- Create a Challenge Zone: Place two cones ten yards apart, marking the midpoint with a third cone or flat marker. This area represents the “challenge zone” where the tackle will occur.
- Starting Positions: Divide players into tacklers and returners (ball carriers). Tacklers line up behind one cone, and returners line up behind the other cone, facing each other across the challenge zone.
Drill Execution
- Sprint to the Challenge Zone: On command, both the tackler and returner sprint towards the midpoint of the challenge zone.
- Footwork and Shuffle: As they reach the midpoint, both players break down into a low athletic stance. The returner shuffles laterally, simulating evasive maneuvers.
- Patient Approach: The tackler maintains a low stance, reading and mirroring the returner’s movements and waiting for the right opportunity to attack.
- Execute the Tackle: On the coach’s signal, or when the returner commits to a specific direction, the tackler explodes forward, aiming for a secure tackle.
- Wrap Up and Finish: The tackler wraps up the ball carrier around the torso, driving through the tackle to bring the returner to the ground.
Coaching Points
- Body Position: Emphasize maintaining a low, athletic stance throughout the drill, with knees bent and weight centered.
- Footwork: Reinforce the importance of quick, choppy footwork to stay light on your feet and react to the returner’s movements.
- Patience: Encourage tacklers to be patient and wait for the right opportunity to tackle, avoiding lunging or overcommitting.
- Head Up and Eyes Open: Stress the importance of keeping the head up and eyes focused on the returner’s hips to read their movements.
- Wrap Up and Finish: Reiterate the importance of wrapping up the ball carrier with both arms and driving through the tackle to ensure a secure stop.
- Full contact: This is a full contact drill. – You cannot practise secure tackling by just form tackling! – Therefore make sure all players are fully equipped and have their mouth-guards in their mouth! – Always put safety of the players first!
Equipment
- 2-3 Cones
- 1 Flat marker (optional)
- Footballs
By incorporating the Mirror Tackle Drill into your practice plan, your defensive players will develop the skills and confidence necessary to effectively tackle returners in the open field. This drill helps them:
- Improve Open-Field Tackling: Develop proper footwork, body positioning, and tackling technique for open-field situations.
- Sharpen Reaction Time: Enhance the ability to react quickly and adjust to a returner’s movements.
- Increase Confidence: Foster confidence in tackling ball carriers in space.
The Mirror Tackle Drill is a versatile and effective tool to equip your defense with the skills necessary to shut down opposing returners and prevent big plays.
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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