Alright, listen up, y’all. We gonna talk about teachin’ them young’uns how to tackle in football, you hear? It ain’t rocket science, but gotta do it right, or somebody gonna get hurt. And we don’t want that, no sirree.
First thing’s first, gotta teach ’em the “Lift Drill”. Yeah, sounds fancy, but it ain’t. Just get them youngsters lined up and have ’em practice liftin’ their opponent, safely of course, not slammin’ ’em down like a sack of potatoes. This helps ’em get the feel of movin’ another body and gettin’ under their pads.
- Get ’em low, real low, like they tryin’ to sneak under a fence.
- Keep their back straight, not all hunched over like an old lady pickin’ beans.
- Use their legs, not just their arms, those arms ain’t gonna do nothin’ by themselves.
Next up, we got the “Breakdown”. That’s just fancy talk for gettin’ ready to tackle. It’s all about gettin’ in the right stance. Think like a coiled snake, ready to strike.
Tell them young’uns to:
- Spread their feet, not too wide, not too close, just right.
- Bend their knees, like they sittin’ in a tiny chair.
- Keep their eyes up, watchin’ the ball carrier like a hawk watchin’ a mouse.
Now, we gotta teach ’em how to actually hit, but safe-like, you know? Start with a dummy, yeah, one of them big ol’ stuffed things. Let ’em practice on that first. It’s what I call the “Three-Step Tackle”. Easy peasy.
Here’s how it goes:
- Step one: Get close, real close, don’t be shy.
- Step two: Wrap them arms around tight, like huggin’ your grandma.
- Step three: Drive them legs, push ’em back, like movin’ a stubborn mule.
And always remember, gotta drive through, not just at ’em. Get that center of gravity low, like you tryin’ to dig a hole with your belly button. That’ll give ’em the power to bring that ball carrier down.
Another thing, teach ’em to keep their head up, don’t go leadin’ with that noggin’. Seen too many kids gettin’ hurt that way. Tell ’em to see what they hittin’, not just runnin’ in blind like a bull in a china shop.
Practice, practice, practice, that’s the key. Gotta do it over and over ’til it’s like breathin’. Start slow, then speed it up. Start with the dummy, then let ’em practice on each other, but gentle-like at first, you hear?
And don’t forget to yell! “Get low!” “Wrap up!” “Drive through!” Keep yellin’ ’til they hear you in their sleep. That’s how they learn, repetition and a loud voice. Works for trainin’ dogs and kids, lemme tell ya.
Safety first, last, and always. Make sure them young’uns got the right equipment, helmets that fit right, pads in the right places. And teach ’em to respect each other, this ain’t the wild west, it’s football.
So there you have it, teachin’ them young’uns to tackle ain’t hard, but gotta be smart about it. Lift Drill, Breakdown, Three-Step Tackle, and drive through, that’s the ticket. And remember, keep it safe, keep it fun, and keep yellin’!
One more thing, teach them young’uns to always listen to the coach, ain’t no room for goofin’ around when you’re learnin’ to tackle. It’s serious business, but it can be a heap of fun too, long as everyone stays safe and plays by the rules. So get out there and get them youngsters ready to hit the field, safely and confidently!
And don’t go forgettin’ to make sure they understand why they doin’ all this. It ain’t just about knockin’ folks down, it’s about teamwork, discipline, and gettin’ stronger, both inside and out. Teach ’em that, and you’ll be teachin’ ’em more than just football, you’ll be teachin’ ’em about life.
Football is more than just a game, it’s about community, respect, and workin’ hard together as a team. Make sure those young fellas remember that, and they’ll not only be better football players, but better people too.
And remember, after all that hard work, there’s nothin’ wrong with a big ol’ slice of pie and some sweet tea. Them young’uns will have earned it!
Tags: [Youth Football, Tackling Drills, Football Coaching, Football Safety, Lift Drill, Breakdown, Three-Step Tackle, Football Training, Kids Football, Safe Tackling]
