One of the keys to having a great [tag]defensive[/tag] line in football is to possess superior tackling skills. The following defensive football drills will improve your team’s [tag]tackling[/tag] abilities which in turn will help your defensive squad stop the opposing team come game time.
For the first of the [tag]defensive football drills[/tag] players face off one-on-one. Divide your team into pairs, and have them stand facing each other about 5 yards apart. In order to limit the sideways distance that each player can move, set up a pair of bags or cones 5 yards apart on either side of each pair of players.
Have a [tag]coach[/tag], assistant or senior player stand behind each defender and give a signal to the blocker indicating which direction he should try to overtake the defender. On the coach’s whistle, the [tag]defender[/tag] attempts to hold his ground while the [tag]blocker[/tag] tries to break through.
For the next of the [tag]defensive[/tag] [tag]football[/tag] [tag]drills[/tag] players start off by laying flat on their backs with their helmets approximately 6 inches apart. The player holding the ball is the ball carrier, while the other player is the tackler. When the coach blows the whistle, both players scramble to get on their feet, and the ball carrier runs straight for the defensive player.
Again, make sure that proper tackling technique and form are always employed during this [tag]drill[/tag]. If so desired, cones can also be used in this drill, placed 5 yards on either side of the pair of players to limit lateral movement.
