Four reasons why tackling is a lost art--and why concussions will continue.
 
Matt Bowen

NOVEMBER 10, 2010, 05:30 AM EST

Through weeks of discussion in the NFL on helmet-to-helmet hits, on the field violence and concussions, we have failed to mention one major factortackling. It has become a lost art in the NFLfrom fundamentals to basic techniques. And it is one of the main reasons that we see players laid out on the field after taking a shot to the head.

The question is why? What has happened to the basic techniques we were all taught way back in Pop Warner football? Put your facemask on the ball carriers chest, wrap your arms, roll your hips and drive those legs. The clean and proper way to tackle. Instead, we see players going for that knockout hitthe Sports Center Top 10 hit. In my opinion, four key thing stand out when we talk about the reasons behind the drop off in quality tackling the pro level. Lets check them out

1. Big hits: Every defensive player wants to be labeled as a big hitter. Thats the reality of the NFL. I wanted that tag when I played, and players today are no different. But, too often we see defensive players try to light up a wide receiver instead of wrapping their arms. I have said before that the helmet is now a weapon in the NFLand a major issue with concussionsand so are shoulder pads. That is why we see players launching themselves into receivers.

However, big hitters can be overratedbecause a safety that can tackle in the open field and get a ball carrier on the ground is much more valuable. You want that big hitter label? Get one every four games. Thats all you need. The rest of the time make the tackle and live to see another down. Even the so-called "big hitters" like Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, LaRon Landry and others tackle well on a regular basis.

2. Attention to detail: We have to understand that in-season practices arent anything close to what we see in August during training camp. Most clubs will take off the pads and might sneak in one day (usually) Wednesday in full gear. But even then, it isnt a competitive environment when you are working against the scout team. Ten minutes of half-speed tackling drills during individual period (where you are tackling players at your same position) isnt enough to maintain those fundamentals.

Only when I was playing for defensive backs coach Steve Jackson in Washington did I see the attention to detail with tackling. We hit everyday during the regular season and it translated to the field. Whether it is hitting the one man sled and driving it across the field, the classic Oklahoma drill, working on the proper angles to the ball, etc. They have to be practiced on a regualr basis--because it is easy to lose your fundamentals throughout the course of a 16-game schedule in the NFL.

3. Cut tackles: Pay attention to this on Sunday. How often do you see a DB try to cut down a running back by putting their helmet on a knee? It happens too much. Not only do you risk your own healthand neckby doing that, it also allows the ball carrier to gain about two to three extra yards, or run right through that attempted tackle. I miss the days of players such as Steve Atwater and my former teammate, the late Sean Taylor. They didnt dive at running backs legs.

Instead, they squared them up, wrapped their arms and drove them to the ground. Why does it happen now? It is easyeven if it allows the RB to fall forward for two extra yards. I was guilty of it at times in my career and it will continue. No one coaches that.

4. The NFL Draft: I have talked to multiple scouts and front office personnel since this past April who have all told me the same thingthey want to draft playmakers. Rookies who can drive downhill and make a play on the football. Interceptions, forced fumbles, etc.

If a possible first or second round pick continues to show up on tape and looks like a ball hawk, they dont have an issue overlooking the fact that he isnt the best tackler when it comes to fundamentals. The bottom line: forcing turnovers has replaced basic techniqueand making big plays has moved to the top of the evaluation process.

Bottom line: tackling is going downhill on all levels of football. Big hits are the rage, and until we see more effort put into the basic fundamentals of the game, we will continue to see missed tackles and players leading with their helmets.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

If they run parallel to the line and you duck low it often loses the tackle. You have to wrap up the direction they are going in when they run along the line.

North south runners always require a form tackle. Square shoulders must be met with leverage.

One reason form tackling is breaking down so much has been the changes in cut blocking rules. Since teams can not use positional leverage on down/cut blocks, they use formational spacing and limit the initial block step to stay with faster players along the line. This grays the initial read as well, the kickout block is being replaced more and more by the blocker who 'logs on" to a target along the line aiming for the outside shoulder so the runner can continue a wide track.

The stretch run aims for the back two yards outside the tackle, if he gets that far he is going to contiinue running wide most of the time.

Without a true kickout block to define where the back must go from the line of scrimmage you get less defined tracks for assignment football. Backs have two possible cut directions off a zone block done right at the second level. A kickout block limits the yards a back can get and the direction help comes from can then smother the play with speed.

These head up blocks allow a back either way to run so he can see the help, a blocker only sees his target. If he cannot square up and has to kickout facing the sideline then a back's choices on the cutback are limited to one direction.That would allow someone to really break down the running hole and form tackle.

Now the backs can go either way from a block and this choice lets them continue a parallel track. Form tackling changes on the demand created by the system and its formational leverage, the lineman technique and spacing, and the way blocks are finished at the second level.

Nobody wants their star backs to take extra hits in practice when it could hurt their career span of four or five seasons on average. Most backs now do specialty items to allow one another reps and rest. The feature back is being limited in what he can do as defenders now have the kind of training once reserved for the superstar back, that will take a toll on any player.

Finally, a lot of great players now must change positions as ends become linebackers, defensive backs become cover two backers, they have to get in position and that takes so much work that they do less contact in practice. Position changes include increased reps in the training room for weights and contact injuries as players change their location. Form tackling loses many of the reps because the hybrid positions require players to be in position first and that tackes away from some time to do execution items on technique in practice.

"MrMurder37" wrote:

If you don't have a copy of the official rules for 2010, they are only about $9.00 at your local book store. The reason I bring it up is because of the last, italicized line in Rule 12, section two, article 8, which is the main section governing the present arguments. Here it is for those who don't have a rulebook. "Note: If in doubt about a roughness call or potentialy dangerous tactics, the covering official(s) should always call unneccesary roughness." When an official is being told that, how can we expect them to show restraint in calling personal fouls. As for the tackling, there are teams that still tackle welll and teams that don't. Apparently some teams find the time to stress good tackling and other teams stress other tactics. When a coach says I want the ball and I don't care what it takes, that's the product he's going to get. It doesn't matter if that's not what he really wants. What matters is what the players hear. Once the season starts, it is very hard to change the focus of a defense. If there is a little bit of success with the rough tactics, it becomes even harder. They will remember the successes and forget the failures. After all, we tell them to forget the past and play in this moment.

"olinesrule" wrote:

If you want to see good tackling, watch Charles Woodson. He is a joy to watch. And I think his style is rubbing off a little on Tramon Williams and Nick Collins.

"Greg C." wrote:

"Greg C." wrote:

Wrap him up:  The Packers tackled poorly in the first Atlanta game, allowing Michael Turner to run for 110 yards in 23 attempts (4.8 average).

The defense has made tackling technique a point of emphasis this week.

"You really have to make sure you are not trying to arm tackle (Turner)," defensive end Cullen Jenkins said. "The biggest thing for us on the D-line is to try to get as many hits on him as possible so he doesn't make it to the second level.

"Once he gets rolling and gets into the linebackers and the secondary, that's when he can create big problems."

Linebacker Desmond Bishop said proper tackling technique needed to be emphasized, even this late in the season.

"I think sometimes your fundamentals can slip a little bit if you're not conscious of it," he said.