Stop Missing Tackles: 7 Elite Near-Shoulder Drills for Spill Defenses - Spencer Leno

Are you tired of watching your defense miss crucial tackles and give up big plays? These 7 elite near-shoulder drills will transform your spill defense, ensuring your players make consistent, bone-crushing stops that leave opponents reeling.

The clinician is Spencer Leno, Defensive Coordinator, Massillon Washington High School (OH).  His entire presentation is available on Glazier Drive.

Purpose:

• To train the player to have proper tackling form, head placement, and shoulder placement on a ball carrier before tackling "full go."
  
  
• You can also do these drills without pads during any time of the year.
  
  
• This tackle is based on leverage. We want to attack the near hip of a ball carrier with our shoulder. Attacking the near hip eliminates the chances for a cutback by the ball carrier.

KEY TERMS

• Track the Near Hip
• Wrap and Squeeze
• Same Leg/Shoulder Strike
• Drive for 5 yards
  
  
• Eyes on Thighs (Eyes UP & Head Up)
• Roll
• Cheek to Cheek
• Widen and Quicken

TYPES OF TACKLING DEFINED
How do I drill each type?

Profile Tackle

• Tackles that are made "in the hole" or a gap
• Ball carrier typically has a two-way go
• ISO, Inside Zone, Hitch, Dig, etc.

Angle Tackle

• Pressing the near hip ("Tracking" Drills)
• Gator Roll tackles
• Outside Zone, Jet Sweep, Bubble, etc.

Position Specific Tackling (Get Creative with Drill work)

• Block destruction & tackle
• Mimicking a position-specific movement/fit with a tackle