How to Hit Like Shawne Merriman

Football is not a contact sport, it is a collision sport. The average impact a player absorbs is equivalent to a head-on car wreck at thirty miles an hour. One player who consistently delivers these car wreck blows is Shawne Merriman. Offensive players must know where Shawne Merriman is on the field or suffer the consequences of his signature vicious strikes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Earn a nickname that puts fear into opponents. Shawne Merriman's nickname is "Lights Out." They call him that because when he hits you, he knocks your lights out.
2. Tackle the ball carrier with proper form. Merriman lines up his target, sets his feet, squares his shoulders and then explodes to take down the offensive player. He makes great hits because he uses proper fundamentals.
3. Hit the offense with no regard for your own well-being. Merriman just flies around the field with reckless abandon and forgets the need for personal safety. He is all about tackling the ball carrier.
4. Anticipate what the opposing team or player wants to do on a specific play. You cannot make the big hit unless you are in the proper position. Study the tendencies of the other teams and their players. Shawne Merriman does not get by on physical ability alone. He is one of the most studious players in the game of football.