How to Use the Bear Crawl in Football

A player learning to bear crawl

The bear crawl is a football technique that it is very important for players to master. It is essentially a method of getting somewhere on the football field quickly, after losing your footing, without taking the time to stand up and becoming vulnerable to your opponents. Here's how to use the bear crawl effectively on the football field.

Instructions

1. Get up on your fingertips and the balls of your feet. This is the position you should maintain throughout your bear crawling.

2. Get your head up immediately.

3. Proceed forward, using your hands and the balls of your feet to move forward rapidly.

4. Keep going. Don't stop because bear crawling players are extremely vulnerable when stopped.

5. Get to the ball and try to make a play.

6. Get up and use standard pursuit if the ball carrier ends up any further than 5 yards away from you.

Tips & Warnings

• The bear crawl is especially effective for defensive linemen to use when trying to get to the quarterback for a sack before they get the ball off or to stay lower than offensive linemen when a double-team blocking strategy is being employed.

• The whole point of the bear crawl is quickness. If it's going to take you longer to bear crawl after an opponent then you're better off simply standing up and using standard pursuit.

• Keep your head up when you bear crawl to avoid serious injury, including possible paralysis.