How to Tackle in Football
Football is a very physical sport that has a lot of rough-and-tumble moments that require both brains and brawn. Tackling is a defensive skill that can take out the opposing team’s offensive momentum, and can bring the tide of the game to your favor. Here’s how you can perform a tackle in football.
Steps
Tackling is all about good timing and using just the right amount of momentum to put a stop to the offensive momentum of a team, which depends on the member of the opposing team carrying the ball.
To perform a successful tackle, follow these steps:
football tackle
When called to tackle during play, scout the offensive line to look for the carrier. Once you spotted the ball carrier, call for a tackle before he passes the ball to another player, or before a play is completed.
Run towards the carrier at full speed, but keep your head up. By keeping your head up, you ensure that you have the best possible view of how you’re going to tackle the opponent. Remember that you’re after a football tackle, not a wrestling takedown.
Once you’re within reach of your opponent, aim your shoulder on his chest with your helmet under his arm. Wrap your arms around his waist and let the momentum of your run drive both of you to the ground. Soften the tackling blow by pulling your opponent toward you as you both go down.
Safety
Tackling is a aggressive play, so you need to follow some important safety measures when performing a tackle:
Don’t be reckless. Football is not a full-contact combat sport. When performing a tackle, make sure that you’re using just enough force to take down your opponent and halt the offensive momentum of the opposing team.
Use your good judgment. Fouls can sometimes result from badly-timed or improperly-executed tackles, so it’s best to anticipate calls, signals, and your own sense of timing.
Be a good sport. Once you recover from the tackle, give your opponent a friendly pat on the back, or help him up when you get up first. It’s very important to display professionalism and good sportsmanship on the turf.
Tackling is an essential defensive skill in football. With these steps, you can perform a successful football tackle that can turn the tide of the game against your opponent.