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Tackling

Front Block Tackling: Restart Realism

Time the front block tackle

Tackling
Defending

Front Block Tackling: Restart Realism is a 12-minute tackling drill for 2-16 players, suitable for Under 9 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
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Set Pieces
Game Realistic
Organisation

Duration

12 min

Players

2-16

Pitch size

10 x 8 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Front Block Tackling: Restart Realism1210 x 8 yards

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

Step 1 of 4Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.

  1. 1. Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.
  2. 2. Build the pace up over the rounds.
  3. 3. Ten repetitions then swap.
  4. 4. All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.
  • 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

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

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Attacker dribbles slowly forward, defender executes a front block tackle.
  2. 2Build the pace up over the rounds.
  3. 3Ten repetitions then swap.
  4. 4All restarts are played as in a match — throw-ins, goal kicks and corners rather than a coach ball.

Coaching points

  • -Inside of the foot locked and firm
  • -Body weight through the tackle
  • -Take the ball, not the player
  • -Shape up quickly on every restart
  • -Talk to organise before the ball is live

Common mistakes

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

Where this drill fits

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