THE PRP/PRO 12-STEP TACKLE

PROGRESSION SYSTEMBy

Kevin Schnicker – Defensive CoordinatorSmith-Cotton High School

Sedalia, Missourikschnicker@yahoo.com

Step 1- VISUALIZE

• Actually see yourself in your mind’s eye, closing in on the ball carrier. Imagining all the moves he can make to try and fake you out before you make the tackle

Step 2- WAIST AT 45

• Stand with your upper body straight, knees bent, feet shoulders width apart. Lean forward until you can see the top of your shoe laces just under your knee caps. Your waist must stay at a 45 degree angle from the snap of the football to the ref’s whistle on every play. Bend in the knees not in the waist.

Step 3- STEEL YOUR SPINE

• Stand in a football “ready” position, knees bent, feet shoulders width apart, upper body forward lean. Without straightening the knees, slightly lift your rear end. Without raising the upper body, stick out your chest. This creates an inward curve of the spine which forces the head up and adds great strength to the spinal column.

Step 4- BUZZ YOUR FEET

• After running full speed to get to the ball carrier, come under control by spreading your feet shoulders width apart, using short, quick, choppy steps, lowering the body’s center of gravity as you close in to make the tackle.

Step 5- STEP IN A HOLE

• Visualize stepping in an imaginary hole with your front leg. A deep bend in the knee of the front leg gets your shoulder pads under the shoulder pads of the ball carrier. Low pads win, high pads lose. Always bend in the knees, not in the waist.

Step 6- TRIGGER POINT

• (Hit Position) Your eyes are up, spine is steeled, waist at 45, you’ve stepped in a hole, and your arms are pulled back ready to rip. Your body is fully coiled and ready to deliver a blow to the opponent.

Step 7- RIP AND SHOOT

• (Rip) Forcefully swing both arms in an upper cut motion like a boxer and lock on. (Shoot) Thrust you hips upward with equal force at the same time you rip your arms. Remember to always hit up and through the ball carrier using the shoulders. Never use the helmet or facemask to initiate contact with opponent.

Step 8- EYES UP

• Always keep your eyes up! See the ball carrier at all times as you make the tackle. Never make first contact with the top of your helmet or facemask!

Step 9- LAST 7 INCHES

• Always keep your Head above your Rear End. Never have your Head and Rear End on the same level. Never have your Head below your Rear End. You are in control of your body. Trust in your technique and execute it with determined focus.

Step 10- STRIKE PLATE

• (Shoulders) Initial contact is made with the Shoulders ONLY! Just under the Chin, from Shoulder tip to Shoulder tip. Not the Chest! Never use the facemask or helmet to tackle an opponent.

Step 11- GRAB CLOTH

• Tightly grab the opponent’s jersey with both hands and forcefully take him to the ground until he is down and the whistle blows.

Step 12- HOW MANY

• In practice, just before you make contract with a tackle dummy your coach will flash his fingers. If your eyes are up you will see “How many” fingers coach held up. During live contact you must focus and imagine how many fingers you see in your mind’s eye every time you make a tackle.