OUR TEAM NEEDED to develop a tackling drill that would simulate game situations, involve all phases of defense and create some excitement before a defensive practice.

The following drill makes players feel as if they were in game combat and has also generated an enormous amount of enthusiasm because of the many big hits associated with it.

Versatile Drill
The drill is beneficial to all players because it works on various techniques and skills for each position.
-  Quarterback. Proper mesh point and ball exchanges with all backs.
-  Running Backs. Ability to set up blocks and develop a nose for the end zone.
-  Wide Receivers. Proper stalk blocking and a chance to find the goal line
-  Offensive Line. Good initial contact and the ability to maintain 1-on-1 blocking.
-  Defensive Line. Read-and-rip technique in getting to the ball carrier.
-  Linebackers. Repetitions for 1-on-1 tackling on ball carriers.
-  Defensive Backs. Getting off blocks and open-field tackling of ball carriers or receivers.

Drill Setup, Execution
Various aspects of offense and defense are repeatedly used in this simple tackling drill.

DIAGRAM 1: Drill Spacing. Players align 10 yards apart facing each other stretched out for 15 yards.



DIAGRAM 2: Player Placement. Begin the drill with a QB, RB, an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, LB, WR and DB.


DIAGRAM 3: Drill. At the sound of the whistle, the QB makes a handoff to the RB who attempts to get to the goal line which is 15 yards away. The offensive and defensive lineman fire into each other and attempt to gain control of the line of scrimmage. Keep the RB 5 yards away in an effort to give your defensive lineman a chance to make the play.


The LB is lined up 5 yards away and is unblocked (just like a normal game-like alignment). He tries to make an open-field tackle on the RB.

5 yards from the LB and on the goal line, the WR and DB engage in combat. The WR is forced to hold his stalk block, while the DB tries to shed the receivers’ block for an open-field tackle.

This drill has been beneficial in our development of not only tackling, but many other aspects of football. It’s a drill that involves many players and creates plenty of excitement.