How to Determine Your Angle of Attack in Football

In football, fewer things are more exciting to watch than an offensive player trying to outrace the defensive players who are pursuing him and attempting to keep him out of the end zone. There are few things, as well, that are harder for defensive players than chasing down a speedy running back or receiver who has gotten past them. By taking a proper angle of attack, however, a defensive player is granted a much better chance of making a play on the football. Here's how to determine your angle of attack when pursuing the football.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Figure out whether you need to take an angle of attack at all. Unless the ball carrier is already past the line of scrimmage, and past you linebackers, you should take a direct line of attack. In other words, until the play becomes a footrace, simply head straight after the ball carrier and try to make a tackle or help your fellow defensive players with an assist.

2. Turn upfield. The first thing to do is to break off from your current pursuit path and start to head upfield in the same direction the ball carrier is running.

3. Angle yourself towards the pylon at the corner of the end zone that the ball carrier is currently heading towards. Heading for the pylon will allow you to take a proper angle of pursuit in the vast majority of situations and will head the play off before it reaches the end zone.

4. Turn on the afterburners. Put everything you have into pursuing the ball carrier along your chosen angle of pursuit.

5. Adjust the angle. As the play continues, if you feel that you're going to overshoot the ball carrier, turn a little more horizontal on your angle of pursuit. If you're not going to catch them at all, try to turn more upfield and head vertically to try to make up some ground.

6. Pursue until the play ends, one way or another.

Tips & Warnings

• It's better to overshoot the ball carrier by taking too extreme an angle of attack rather than to let them get away altogether for a touchdown.
• Never give up on your pursuit and always take a proper angle of pursuit. Coaches are impressed by players who demonstrate a "never say die" kind of attitude and don't give up on a play until the whistle blows.
• While determining your angle of attack, be careful and keep your head on a swivel looking for blockers. Offensive players love to come across with a devastating block on players who aren't paying attention and are just trying to figure out which angle of attack to take.

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