How to Block a Tackle in Football

Learning to play or coach football takes the right techniques and lots of practice. You will learn some basic techniques that allow an offensive football player to block defensive tackles from an offensive line point of view. This will include run blocking, pass blocking and even cut blocking. Practicing these techniques on a regular basis will open the field for the offensive plays needed to gain yardage and win games.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Use run blocking. Run blocking is a power technique used to move defenders out of the way so the running back can run thru the hole in the defensive line. When you run to the left as a blocker you must identify the man you are supposed to block and angle to his front right side to block him out of the way. You must explode off the snap, keep your shoulders square, eyes up and slam your facemask with your head up into the middle of his chest and at the same time extend your arms outward to push and control the defender without holding. The same technique is used for the other side of the offensive line to block a tackle, except you just angle to the opposite shoulder.

2. Try pass blocking. Pass blocking is more of a finesse technique that requires exceptional strength. The most important part of pass blocking a tackle is your arms and your footwork. Unlike run blocking, where you explode forward, in pass blocking you actually take a step or two backwards. The point of stepping backwards is to create a protective shell around the quarterback. From the right tackle side of the offensive line, at the snap of the ball you will usually take two steps backwards with your right foot and a half step backwards with your left foot to angle yourself in such a way as to keep any defensive tackles from getting around the edge and sacking your quarterback. The same technique is used for the left side but your footwork is just the opposite, you take two steps back with your left foot and only a half step back with your right foot to protect that edge from a defender. You use your hands to keep the tackle away from your body so that the defender cannot over power you. It is also okay to hold slightly as long as your hands are inside of the tackle's shoulder pads and you are not pulling the jersey away from the body of the defender, or you could get called for a penalty.

3. Employ a chop or cut block. Usually this technique is used when a defensive tackle gets past the offensive line, and the running back (who is usually much smaller than a lineman) is tasked with making the block. When that occurs the best technique to use is a cut block in which you dive at the thigh or knee area of the tackle and try to take out the legs of the defender, not to hurt him but to slow him down or make him fall.

Tips & Warnings

• When blocking always keep your head up, or you may incur a major neck and/or serious spinal injury.
• If you are playing full contact football then always use all appropriate football equipment such as a helmet, shoulder pads, mouth guards, girdles and other protective gear.

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