How to Defend Against the Leg Whip in Football

The leg whip is a maneuver that is technically outlawed in the game of football, but is still used relatively frequently. It can be used either as a method for blocking or tackling and is extremely effective. There are methods by which you can defend yourself against the leg whip.

Things You'll Need

• Good Sense of Balance
• Quick Reaction Time

Instructions

Defending Yourself Against the Leg Whip

1. Recognize the leg whip for what it is. A player that is attempting to leg whip you will look almost as if they're trying to slide tackle you. Once you recognize that someone is trying to leg whip you, it'll allow you to take defensive measures against them.

2. Try to stay light on your feet. The leg whip works by cutting your legs out from under you or tripping you. Counteract this by staying as light on your feet as possible.

3. Jump the whipping legs. This is the most effective strategy of completely counteracting the leg whip. Simply try to leap over the player and hurdle them.

4. Realize if it's too late. If someone gets you really well with a leg whip, don't try to fight it. Doing so may lead to injury. Instead, try to brace yourself for your imminent ground landing on the football field.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to look for the number of players that are leg whipping and to report them to your coach or to the officials. Leg whipping is a 15 yard personal foul and good officials will spot it once it's reported to them.

• Aim your cleats in towards the legs of a leg-whipping opponent if at all possible. Doing so will make them reconsider whether they want to leg whip you again.

• Don't try to practice avoiding the leg whip with your teammates. The leg whip is illegal because it's apt to cause injury and it should not be simulated during practice because of the danger involved to you and your teammates.