10 Tackle Football Drills

Tackling in football is not just about brute force. It is a refined combination of timing, position, and power—all applied with precision and accuracy.

Since contact is a fundamental part of football at every level, including tackle drills in your practice plan helps players build the confidence and technique needed to perform tackles more safely and effectively. Regardless of the age group you are teaching, we have put together 10 football tackle drills perfect for coaching both youth or high school teams.

Mastering the Fundamentals of Football Tackle Drills

An effective tackle is the product of proper form and footwork. Before even beginning contact drills, players must master:

• Breakdown Position: Low hips, chest up, feet shoulder-width apart.
  
• Buzzing Feet: Choppy, quick steps for balance.
  
• Head Placement: Always to the side, never in front of the ball carrier.

1. Form & Freeze Drill

Teach & reinforce a proper tackling technique without full-speed contact.

Purpose: Teach correct tackling technique, build muscle memory, reinforce safe head placement.

How-To: Defender steps in, wraps ball carrier or pad without driving through. Stress posture, shoulder contact, and head-up technique.

2. Bag Tackling Drill

Ideal for teaching defenders the fundamentals of tackling in a safe and controlled setting.

Purpose: Develop correct tackling form, improve targeting and pad level, and reinforce footwork.

How-To: Attack a dummy with low pad level, wrap around, and drive feet through the pad.

SkillShark can grade each athlete’s tackling stance and wrapping form on a mobile device so that unsafe techniques can be spotted and fixed early.

3. Pop-Up Dummy Drill

Helps defenders improve their tackling, striking, and shedding.

Purpose: Improve block shedding, encourage pad level discipline, and enhance tackling form.

How-To: Strike a spring dummy, adjust as it pops up, and re-engage quickly

4. Wrap and Roll Drill

Teaches defenders how to safely and effectively take down opponents in real-game situations.

Purpose: Develop proper wrapping technique, promote safe tackling form, and build muscle memory.

How to: Approach the pad, lower hips, wrap arms tightly, drive legs, and roll to the ground while maintaining grip.

5. Tackle Tunnel Drill

Helps defenders build the foundations of tackling before progressing to full-speed scenarios

Purpose: Develop secure wrap-up technique, build finishing skills, and increase tackling confidence

How-To: Crawl through a tight tunnel and finish with a strong form tackle.

6. Classic Angle Tackle Drill

Teach defenders how to make effective tackles when approaching a ball carrier from an angle

Purpose: Improve pursuit angles, reinforce proper technique, and develop timing & body control.

How-To: Two players begin at opposite cones. Defender takes a shallow angle to the runner

7. Four-Point Explosion Drill

Develop explosive power, proper stance, and firing off the ball from a grounded position

Purpose: Teach explosive first-step power, reinforce proper body position, and build coordination.
How-To: Begin on all fours, explode forward into a pad, wrap tight, and drive feet.

8. Hawk Roll Tackle Drill

Teaches defenders how to make reliable, repeatable, and safe tackles,

Purpose: Develop strong wrap & roll technique, reinforce proper shoulder contact, and enhance control & leverage.

How-To: Strike a pad, wrap, and roll sideways to replicate a fall without injury.

9. Gang Tackling Drill

Train defensive players to swarm to the ball and work together to bring down the ball carrier

Purpose: Improve team tackling, encourage pursuit & hustle, and reinforce tackling fundamentals.

How-To: Multiple defenders converge on a ball carrier, maintaining leverage and control.

10. Open-Field Tackling Drill

Train defenders to make effective, controlled tackles in open areas.

Purpose: Improve tackling in space, develop proper breakdown technique, and encourage discipline.

How-To: Defender chases a ball carrier cutting through cones, breaks down, and makes the tackle safely.

Using SkillShark to Track Tackling Progress

Using SkillShark, customize categories on your evaluation template, such as footwork, tackle form, wrap technique, and angle consistency. Then, easily score football players on your smartphone or tablet.

Once your evaluation is complete, instantly gain access to player reports. Review player data and draft teams on the same day!