How to Cause a Fumble in Football

When coaching the game of football, you want your defense to create as many turnovers as possible. This puts your offense on the field and takes your opponent's offense off. But you can't wait for the other team's running back to suddenly get a pair of unsteady hands. You have to teach your team to cause a fumble when they tackle. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Hit the quarter-back from the weak or blind side. Nothing is more jarring than an unexpected hit. Send your lineman or defensive backs rushing through the offensive line and hit the quarter-back in the back before he releases the ball. The optimal time is as his hand has cocked back to throw, but he has not moved his arm forward in motion. This is their weakest point. However, if he does have "forward motion" with his arm, then it is merely an incomplete pass and not a fumble.
2. Slam the running back with your helmet. The helmet in football is literally legalized armor. Now one needs to be very careful on how to hit with the helmet as you can put your own neck at risk. You want to lead with the shoulder, which will automatically bring your head with it. Once the shoulder makes the major impact, the helmet will follow and make contact with the bare arm of the running back, thus jarring the football. Worst case, you'll get a nice tackle.
3. Strip the ball from the running back. This is all about speed and momentum. When someone is carrying a football, they will not be at their fastest. If you have equivalent speed you will catch them. Run behind them. When you are within the distance where you can touch them, leap and grasp for their arm that is carrying the ball. Yank down with all of your might once you make contact and strip the ball from them. It should be noted, this can be someone dangerous as if you miss the tackle, as they are probably headed to the end zone with the football.
4. Fight for the ball in the scrum. Many times when a fumble occurs, several players jump on the ball. In this scrum, the football can change hands literally dozens of times. Once you are in "the pile" all bets are off and the rules of football become somewhat blurred. A few knees, sharp elbows and other things of the sort will likely win the day. Don't be afraid to rip the football from someone else.
5. Block a punt or field goal attempt. This is exceedingly hard to do as most teams have the snap and kick procedure down pretty well. However, throughout the course of the season it seems to happen to every team at least once. Put your fastest guys on the line. As soon as the ball is snapped, have them break through, leap in the air and block or tackle the "holder." He is in such an uncompromising position, that the ball will most likely squirt right out. Or if you block the kick just off the foot of the kicker, then it is a live ball and you can jump on it or pick it up to retain possession.
6. Talk trash when playing football. One can never underestimate the worth of talking some good trash when they are on the field. Getting under the running back or quarter-back's skin may be just the thing that causes him to "press" a little too much and get a little slippery with the football.

Tips & Warnings

• Run drills in practice focused on stripping the ball from a running back. Then when it comes time for the game, the defense will be ready.