How to Play Defensive Tackle in Football

In football the defensive tackle position is one that is often overlooked. In fact, many casual fans, if asked to name where exactly a defensive tackle lines up at the beginning of each play, would be unable to provide the requested information. The truth is, the defensive tackle position is crucial to the successful implementation of a football team's defense. Here's a short rundown of how to play defensive tackle for your football team.

Things You'll Need

• Size
• Strength
• Courage
• Dedication

Instructions

How to Play Defensive Tackle in Football

1. Line up in your designated spot on the defensive line. This is the position you'll take at the start of each play. Although the exact positioning of this spot depends on your football team's specific defensive sets, you'll generally line up just outside of the offense's guards and inside of the their tackles.

2. Assume a 3-point stance across from your "gap." Your gap is determined by the defense and is the hole in the offensive line that is located across from you.

3. Watch the offensive linemen or the football for motion. As soon as either moves, you're free to cross the line of scrimmage and engage the offensive linemen.

4. Shoot the gap. As soon as the play begins, shoot forward out of your 3-point stance and engage the offensive lineman who tries to block you.

5. Determine whether a pass play or run play is taking place by locating the football visually. This is done while you're engaged with the offensive lineman.

6. Take appropriate action. If a pass play is happening, try to get by the offensive line and sack the quarterback. If a run play is occurring, stay in your gap until you're sure that the play is going somewhere else and then pursue the football and try to make a tackle.

7. Assume an angle of attack once the play passes you by. Use this angle of attack to try to catch up with the ball carrier and make a tackle.

8. Play through until the whistle.

Tips & Warnings

• Defensive linemen rely a lot on the noseguard's willingness to take on double teams for them. Try to befriend your team's noseguard and then other defensive linemen in order to develop camaraderie and good chemistry.

• Hit the weight room often to really improve your on-field performance a great deal.

• Don't give up on a play before you hear the whistle. There are very few things that will infuriate a football coach more than seeing one of his players give up, whether he had any real chance of making a play or not.