Tackling drills

That goal-line drill is a nice drill.

I do an angle tackling drill with tall blocking bags.

I set two up (10 yds apart) and get the players in 2 lines in the middle.

On command the players run at a good angle to the bag - keeping their head to the OUTSIDE. We have a player stading near the bag who gives the tackler a number with his fingers as the player comes in to tackle.

The tacklers must shout the number (keeps their eyes/heads up), tackle with head outside and wrap. We emphasize rolling the outside shoulder while wrapping to help with the tackle.

I like the drills for 2 reasons:

1) It can be run quickly with many reps - and you aren't taking anyone to the ground. Sometimes in a 'live' drill players focus less on technique.

2) Most tackles on the field are an angle variety - and this drill focusses on head placement and having the eyes up. When that head gets behind - that's when we see arms tackles, and that's when we start having the ball move in the wrong direction.

This is one I like for LBs (the =s represent a large bag on the ground sideways):

^________________________^
............B...................B

.........^.....======.....^

......................F
......................T

The "offense" can go to either side of the dummy and run iso or scissors. It is no accident that the drill area widens past the "LOS." We want our ILBs to attack the lead blocker while maintaining outside leverage. The LB to the side away from where the FB goes checks counter threat and then attacks the ball carrier through the cutback lane. The two LBs will remain on "defense" untill someone scores on them. If two LBs defeat all the pairs of participants, all except those two are going to run. Any pair of LBs who allow a TD will run.

We are trying to teach:
-tackling
-proper pursuit angles
-defeating a blocker
-team work
-"it pays to be a winner"

VERY GOOD, Lou! Chest contact is the way to go! One more thing to add to your list - "DON'T CUT YOUR MOTOR OFF" (keep your feet moving - bring them WITH you on contact)!