Adaptive tackling: Changing how we teach the tackle

Given that the referee community is themselves defining what is truly a “dangerous” tackle, it seems we have a responsibility as coaches to teach an more adaptive approach to tackling that allows tackled players themselves to adapt to a range of conditions and situations — without compromising our fundamental defensive principles.

We’ve begun to teach tackling as a four stage activity, that allows players to change how they deliver a tackle, dependent on the situation.

Track: Moving in synch with the intended ball carrier, sighting your target, using footwork and balance to get into a position to make a proper tackle.

Attack: Getting into the ball carrier’s “hoop,” initiating contact with top of tackler’s shoulder, below the ball carrier’s shoulders.

Drive: Using small steps, and tight core, push the ball carrier in the direction appropriate to depower him or her.

Take-down: Bringing the ball carrier down in a manner appropriate to the situation.

Why redefine how we tackle? Some of our current teaching methods can actually lead our players to be penalized, carded, or suspended. Some of our teaching methods in fact, can lead to grievous injury.

Tackle lifts: While the tackle lift does teach a player how to generate power with their legs, most of that power is directed upwards. Any time the tackler lifts the target player off the ground, we open ourselves up to a penalty situation. Lifting the ball carrier off the ground isn’t necessary to produce a turnover tackle, and training to do so many not be worth the risk.

Tackling from the knees: There are certain components of the tackle that can be improved working off the knees, but we eliminate the need for quality footwork and core strength when we work off the ground. Players who do not have a full understanding of how footwork brings you to the attack stage and transitions you to the drive stage tend to make predominately arm tackles.

Tackle low: When introducing the game, players are consistently told to tackle low. While a low, leg wrap tackle can be effective in bringing the ball carrier to the ground, it’s not the only type of tackle, and it’s not always the right tackle for the situation. Teams with a high competency in offloading bank on their opposition using the leg wrap tackle — it facilitates successful execution of their game plan. Many situations require a man and ball tackle, a double tackle, or a “soak” tackle (when the tackler actually goes backwards). If young players aren’t taught footwork, tracking, and targeting skills, they will struggle to make these more advance tackles later.

Over the coming weeks I’ll explore this approach to tackling, and introduce some easy activities you can do with your players to improve their adaptive tackling.