How To

How to Tackle in Football

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(177 Ratings)

A good-yet-effective tackle will take down the ball carrier, but take them down without any injuries. Maintaining a Good technique can ensure that any opponent-- even one who's bigger, stronger and faster than you--bites the dust but is able to get back up.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Footballs
  1. Step 1

    Identify your opponent. This will be the individual running furiously toward the end zone with a ball under his arm.

  2. Step 2

    Run toward the ball carrier at full speed, keeping your head up at all times. Aim your face mask at the center of his chest or inside shoulder.

  3. Step 3

    Run through the ball carrier, wrapping your arms around his waist.

  4. Step 4

    Pull the ball carrier into you and drive him to the ground.

  5. Step 5

    If you get up first after a successful tackle, offer a hand to help your opponent up and give an encouraging pat or slap as you run back to your team. This shows good sportsmanship and preserves the spirit of the game after an extremely aggressive act.

Tips & Warnings
  • Keep your head up and lead with your face mask when tackling - you don't want to lose sight of your opponent.
  • Follow your coach's specific instructions on tackling technique and game regulations.
  • Football is, obviously, a contact sport. Wear a helmet and all proper pads and gear.

Comments  

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hersie said

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on 6/18/2009 Actually, Football is a collision sport. (:

But hey, OK article.

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on 9/24/2008 Confidence is the key to making a tackle...you always need to play with confidence because if you already know you can't takle him before you try the battle is already over confidence keeps you pumped up and it keeps you focused on the goal so use it and have fun playing the game.

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on 8/30/2007 People, I can,t stress this enough. WRAP. If hes bigger than you hit him low, unlless you are overconfident and dont mind getting ran over. but dont be scared. If he is a managible size put your face mask in his numbers. Also, dont doubt yourself. If you get scared or nervous you are probably less likely to make the tackle.

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on 4/16/2007 Wrap, wrap, wrap, the best thing to do is wrap. If the guy is a lot bigger then you, you should probably hit him lower then you would hit your size. But whatever you do remember to wrap.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 9/18/2006 In high school football face tackling is illegal, and need I say dangerous to perform the tackling technique. The rule book for the National Federation of High Schools says in section 4.3.i that " No player shall...Butt block, face tackle or spear." As defined in section 2.42.2 "...Face tackling is driving the face mask, frontal area or top of the helmet directly into the runner."

There are many different ways to teach tackling safely and legally. One thing they all involve is leading with the shoulder and keeping the head out of the tackle.

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