Tackling
Underload Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Tackling
Defending
Underload Front Block Tackle is a 12-minute tackling drill for 2-14 players, suitable for Under 9 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryTackling
Defending
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Underload
Duration
12 min
Players
2-14
Pitch size
14 x 8 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Pitch diagram
Underload Front Block Tackle — Crossing and finishing — wide delivery into the box · 14 x 8 yards
Step 1 of 5Both players walk in and make a controlled block tackle on the ball.
- 1. Both players walk in and make a controlled block tackle on the ball.
- 2. Build the speed up gradually across the sets.
- 3. Finish with the winner driving the ball out of the area.
- 4. The attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
- 5. Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.
- Cones mark the area
- Full goal
- Dashed lines = wide crossing channels
- Ball
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
- -Time the tackle to the attacker's touch
- -Build confidence in the duel
Setup
- 1Two facing lines six yards apart with a ball in the middle in a 14 x 8 yards area.
- 2Add one extra defender to the working area and mark their start position with a flat cone.
- 3One ball per pair.
Coaching instructions
- 1Both players walk in and make a controlled block tackle on the ball.
- 2Build the speed up gradually across the sets.
- 3Finish with the winner driving the ball out of the area.
- 4The attacking group starts a player short, so every entry pass has to be sharp.
- 5Defenders score a point for every clean turnover; attackers need three clean end actions to win the round.
Coaching points
- -Firm ankle and a strong base
- -Contact through the middle of the ball
- -Follow through and take the ball away
- -Protect the ball and wait for the second runner rather than forcing it
Common mistakes
- -Soft ankle causing injury risk
- -Tackling with the toe
- -Trying to beat two players instead of releasing early
Where this drill fits
- More football tackling drills
- More football defending drills
- football drills for U10s
- football drills for U12s
- football drills for U14s
- football drills for U16s
- Football session plans built around this theme