DRASTICALLY Reduce Missed Tackles: The Coach's Guide to Leverage Shoulder Tackling - Matt Mitchell

Matt Mitchell, the Outside Linebackers Coach at Wisconsin shows practice film of some of their tackling techniques and drills.  The video focuses on how they teach their techniques, particularly emphasizing the "same foot, same shoulder" principle and leveraging body position.

He breaks down tackling into several phases and shows how they drill their phases.  His entire presentation is available on Glazier Drive: Tackling Fundamentals & Drills Based on Season Self-Scout

1. Tracking Phase:

   • Teaching long stride to short stride movement to close space with the ball carrier
   • Ensuring the proper foot is on the ground at the moment of contact (left foot for left shoulder tackles)
   • Working on proper hip tracking and angle of approach
     
     

2. Tempo Types in Practice:

   • "Thud" tempo: Making controlled contact with the ball carrier
   • "Tag-off" tempo: Tagging the hip without full contact while maintaining proper positioning
     
     

3. Leverage Fundamentals:

   • Keeping "nose and toes" aligned with the ball carrier's hip
   • Not getting too far in front (risking cutbacks) or too far behind (out of phase)
   • Head-behind tackling approach (rugby style) for player safety
     
     

4. Connection Phase:

   • Using the "dip and rise bag" to practice the actual contact point
   • Working on maintaining power through contact with proper hip position
   • Focusing on the critical "drive for five" steps after contact
   • Correcting common issues like dead feet or toe drag after contact

Coach Mitchell demonstrates various drills for different positions (safeties, linebackers, defensive linemen) and emphasizes that tackling is best practiced at 45-90 degree angles, which represents the most common tackling scenarios in games.