Tackling
Tackling Technique
Perform a safe, strong block tackle
Tackling
Defending
Premium
Perform a safe, strong block tackle. Set up the area, follow the steps and use the coaching points below.
Back to drill libraryTackling
Defending
Technical Practice
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Age
Under 8 to Adults
Duration
12 min
Players
4-16
Area / pitch size
10 x 10 yards
Difficulty
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Equipment
Balls, Cones
Coaching focus
Perform a safe, strong block tackle
Objective
- -Perform a safe, strong block tackle
- -Time the tackle correctly
- -Stay on the feet where possible
Setup
- 1Pairs facing each other across a 3-yard line of cones.
- 2One ball per pair placed on the line.
- 3Grass or soft surface only.
How to play
- 1Both players walk in and make contact with the inside of the foot on the ball.
- 2Progress to a jog, then a live 1v1 from five yards.
- 3Ten controlled reps before adding pace.
Coaching points
- -Inside of the foot, ankle locked
- -Body weight through the tackle
- -Eyes on the ball, not the opponent
- -Follow through and come away with possession
Progressions
- +Live 1v1 from a rolled ball
- +Add a target to clear into
Regressions
- -Walking pace only
- -Ball stationary throughout
Variations
- -Shoulder-to-shoulder duels
- -Recovery tackle from behind an attacker
Common mistakes
- -Reaching with the toe
- -Leaning back with no bodyweight
- -Committing too early
Related Football Drills & Sessions
- More football tackling drills
- More football defending drills
- Football drills for U8s
- Football drills for U9s
- Football drills for U10s
- Football drills for U11s
- Football drills for U12s
- Football drills for U13s
- Football drills for U14s
- Football drills for U15s
- Football drills for U16s
- Football drills for 4 players
- Football drills by age, topic and squad size
- Football session plans built around this theme
Related drills
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-16
- Time
- 12 min
- Area
- 10 x 8 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones, Bibs
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Front Block Tackling
Time the front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-14
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 20 x 14 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Overload Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-14
- Time
- 12 min
- Area
- 16 x 10 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Two-Touch Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-14
- Time
- 12 min
- Area
- 18 x 12 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Tempo Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-14
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 18 x 12 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Continuous Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice
- Age band
- Under 8 to Adults
- Players
- 2-14
- Time
- 14 min
- Area
- 16 x 10 yards
- Kit
- Balls, Cones
- Focus
- Technical Practice
Tackling
FREE
Rotation Front Block Tackle
Teach a safe, strong front block tackle
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
TacklingDefendingTechnical Practice