Add this drill for defensive linemen to your list of [tag]football coaching resources[/tag]. A [tag]defensive lineman[/tag] often has to hold a block to fill a gap or a hole, and then must shed it to make a tackle.
What you need – You can have two [tag]coaches[/tag] on tackling dummies (or players), and you will need a defensive linemen. You can run this at more than one station.
How this drill works – On the snap of the ball, the lineman, or linebacker will engage the tackling dummy and have quick chopping steps, but stay in a stationary position.
When the runner comes along, the defensive player must disengage from the dummy and try to make the tackle. The defensive player must stay engaged until the runner reaches the pylon – and then they can shed the block and try to make the tackle.
To make this [tag]football[/tag] [tag]drill[/tag] more difficult, add another tackling dummy, or make the line live and have the defender have to fight through the blocks in order to make the tackle. In that case, make sure the offensive lineman give the defender a chance to shed the block and make the tackle.
Result – The defensive lineman are going to be able to fill the gaps, and then make the tackle once the runner gets through the line.
