Tackling

Front Block Tackling

Time the front block tackle

Tackling

Defending

Premium

Front Block Tackling is a 12-minute tackling drill for 2-16 players, suitable for Under 8 to Adults at beginner, intermediate, advanced level. You need balls, cones, bibs. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.

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Tackling

Defending

Technical Practice

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Full Squad

Minimal Equipment

Foundation Phase

Youth Friendly

Adult Suitable

Duration

12 min

Players

2-16

Pitch size

10 x 8 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Front Block Tackling — Pairs facing each other · 10 x 8 yards

Step 1 of 3Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.

1. Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.
2. Build the pace up over the rounds.
3. Ten repetitions then swap.

Ball
Pairs working across a marked lane
Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble

Objectives

-Time the front block tackle
-Stay strong through the contact
-Come away with the ball

Setup

1Pairs face each other five yards apart with one ball.
2Cones mark the tackling lane.
3Coach demonstrates the technique first.

Coaching instructions

1Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.
2Build the pace up over the rounds.
3Ten repetitions then swap.

Coaching points

-Inside of the foot locked and firm
-Body weight through the tackle
-Take the ball, not the player

Common mistakes

-Soft ankle on contact
-Leaning back
-Tackling too early or too late

Equipment needed

Balls

Cones

Bibs

Age groups

Under 8

Under 9

Under 10

Under 11

Under 12

Under 13

Under 14

Under 15

Under 16

Adults

Progressions

+Switch To Score: two switches before scoring
+Five Second Counter-Press: three seconds to win it back
+Target Zone Bonus: only goals started from a pocket count
+Add a competitive scoreline for the last round

Regressions

-Switch To Score: switch earns a bonus point rather than being compulsory
-Five Second Counter-Press: eight seconds and fewer opponents
-Target Zone Bonus: widen the pocket zones
-Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

-Switch To Score — A goal only counts after the ball has been switched from one side of the pitch to the other.
-Five Second Counter-Press — On losing the ball the team has five seconds to win it back before dropping into shape.
-Target Zone Bonus — Extra points for playing into marked pockets between the lines before finishing.
-Overload Rotation — One team plays with an extra player for two minutes then the overload rotates.
-Restart Realism — All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
-Two-Goal Decision — Each team attacks two small goals, so defenders must decide which threat to cover.
-Limited Touch Build-Up — Maximum three touches in your own half, unlimited once you pass the halfway line.
-Flip the practice to the opposite side of the pitch