---
title: NFL Strategies & Effective Drills for Teaching Gunner Tackling - TJ Weist
description: Learn proven and effective NFL strategies and practice drills to teach tackling to your punt team gunners.
---

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# [NFL Strategies & Effective Drills for Teaching Gunner Tackling - TJ Weist](https://www.glazierclinics.com/football-coach-resources/nfl-strategies-effective-drills-for-teaching-gunner-tackling)

 Written by [Glazier Football](https://www.glazierclinics.com/football-coach-resources/author/glazier-football) | Mar 18, 2024 9:05:43 PM

TJ Weist, Assistant Special Teams Coach, Baltimore Ravens presents [strategies, drills, and game application footage for t](https://production.glazierdrive.com/library/proven-strategies-effective-drills-for-teaching-gunner-tackling-in-special-teams)[eaching gunner tackling](https://production.glazierdrive.com/library/proven-strategies-effective-drills-for-teaching-gunner-tackling-in-special-teams).

The Ravens philosophy is to keep it simple.

The main things they focus on for the gunners are: 

1. Getting off the line of scrimmage and run  
2. Front the Ball  
3. Make the tackle (or force a fair catch)

To front the ball:

🏈Take long strides and set your angle.

🏈 When you close to the football take short strides and close the gap.

🏈The aiming point is the near hip of the returner.

🏈As the gunner is waiting for the ball to be caught, he should come to balance and stay square with the objective of preventing a vertical return.

To make the tackle:

🏈You tackle with your feet.  Keep them under you.

🏈Run through the returner's near number.

🏈Head across, center of chest, eyes up--see contact, punch through and get the football out, run your feet through the contact.

🏈If you miss, go past the returner.

🏈Retrace and strip.  Punch the ball out.

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