3 Drills to Improve the Challenging Phase of Tackling: The Approach - Clayton Carlin

Clayton Carlin, Associate Head Coach at Sam Houston State, walks us through three of the tackling approach drills that they use every day in practice. 

The drills are a part of his program for Developing the DB: Fundamentals, Techniques, and Drills that you can see in its entirety on Glazier Drive.

The drills in the video below are: The Vice Approach Drill, Down the Line Approach Drill, and Post Approach Drill.  You will see the drill as it is run in practice and game film to see how the drills apply.

🏈The approach phase is more challenging than the tackling phase.

🏈Sam Houston State coaches do not make a big deal about missed tackles.  They do make a big deal about swarming to the ball as a unit and taking the proper approach angle--near foot, near shoulder.

🏈These drills do not wear the players out and you get a lot of repetitions in a short amount of time.

🏈Take your drills and find the applications in critical situations in the game.

🏈Coach Carlin emphasizes "STAY BEHIND THE BALL"

🏈The phases are approach, come to balance, stay behind the ball, own your hip (of the ball carrier)