In American football, soccer, and mixed martial arts, effective tackling is one of the most important aspects of a strong defense.Good tackling requires proper technique and training.A smaller athlete with the right form can tackle a bigger opponent.This article will show you how to tackle safely in three sports.You can see Step 1 for more information.
Step 1: The proper position and tackling form should be maintained.
When you're playing defense, your eyes should be on the ball carrier.Your shoulders should be back with your knees bent.You want your back to be relative to the ground.This is called a "breakdown" position.While you're working out, practicing hopping into breakdown and "buzzing" your feet, like you are standing on hot coals and you want to get them off.You will be in good shape if you stay light and mobile.
Step 2: You should be close to the ball carrier.
Slow down when you get no more than three yards of the offensive player.The player will blow past you if you keep moving at a rapid pace.When you get close, slow down and drop into breakdown, relying on your movements to make the tackle.It will take some time to figure out the proper angle of pursuit.The distance between you and the ball carrier is a factor.You can stay between the ball carrier and your end zone if you take a wide angle of pursuit.
Step 3: Go into a breakdown position.
Keep your hands back as you bend your knees.Keep your feet shoulder width apart to maintain an even center of gravity.Keep moving and watch the offensive player's movements.Keep your head and back straight.This position is safer and more balanced.It is extremely dangerous for both you and the ball carrier if you lead with your head down.
Step 4: Take a look at the hips.
Your head should be in the path of the ball carrier.The ball carrier should be on the right side of your head if he goes to your left.If he's running to your right, the opposite is true.As you close and make contact, watch the player's hips for changes in direction.Proper tackling placement will take the opponent off balance, making him less likely to fall forward for an extra yard or so, which can make the difference on third down.
Step 5: Make contact.
Push off with your feet as hard as you can and use your legs to drive through your opponent when the ball carrier is within your reach.The ball carrier has hips.When the ball carrier goes down, push and drive with your feet.Pick your knees up high in the tackle.
Step 6: Wrap it up.
Wrap him up with your arms under his butt as your shoulder pads connect with the ball carrier.If you pull his legs out from under him when you extend through him, your tackle will be less likely to break.It results in some spectacular, highlight-worthy "hits" where you don't have to hit very hard just with good technique.Don't stop until the ball carrier is down and the whistle blows.
Step 7: Don't worry about taking the ball.
Good tackles happen because of proper form.The highlight reels of the National Football League are filled with spectacular-looking flying tackles and hits that jostle the ball loose, but focusing on making that happen every time will make you miss tackles, pure and simple.Stay focused on getting the ball player on the ground, not stripping it.If you're assisting a tackle, try to get a hand on the ball and rip in a down-and-out motion.If your teammate has the tackle in hand, you can go for the ball, but not before.Don't lead with your head and never leave your feet to make a tackle.This maneuver is dangerous and illegal.
Step 8: As a last-ditch defense, go to the ground.
It should be rare for slide tackles to be part of your game.If there is no chance of defending the play while standing up, the defender should go to the ground.If the offensive player is going around you and you have no support, it might be a good idea to go to the ground.A good slide tackle can take the ball out of bounds, change possession, or clear it.If you make an unsafe slide tackle, you will get an automatic red card and ejection from the game.If absolutely necessary, use the maneuver.
Step 9: The player is in possession.
The best time for a slide tackle is when you and your opponent are running parallel, toward the ball, and that you're going to lose possession very quickly if you don't make a move now.It's a good time for a tackle if you can't get a foot on the ball in a standing position.Don't make a tackle from behind.There is a high chance of a penalty for tackles from behind or from head-on.If you're both going for the ball, but neither is in possession, it's possible to do it correctly but not recommended.
Step 10: Wait until you see the separation of the ball.
The best time for a slide tackle is after the player in possession has kicked the ball, as it creates separation between that player's body and ball.That will give you a lot of room to maneuver.Keep an eye on the ball and watch as you tackle.A good slide tackle should be focused on getting the ball out of the way.
Step 11: You should check your emotions at the door.
If you decide to take it to the ground, do a quick double check of your emotions.You slide tackle the ball to get control of your team.You could be kicked off the team if you target a player.
Step 12: Don't jump into the tackle.
Lead with your dominant foot and hook your leg into the ball, making contact with ball first and foremost, and sliding as softly as possible onto the ground, across your opponent's path.A slide tackle is similar to a baseball slide.You shouldn't jump into the air if you're going to hurt yourself.You slide with your leg extended if you drop the shoulder closest to the ball.Slow down before you hit the ground.If you want to clear the ball, you should accelerate into a slide and make sure that your leg follows through with the motion.
Step 13: Make sure you get the ball.
The legality of the slide tackle depends on whether or not you hit the ball first.It's legal if your opponent lands face-first on the ground if you clear the ball.If you clip your opponent's shin and then clear the ball, you're going to get a yellow card warning and probably worse.
Step 14: You should protect yourself.
Unless you're wearing shin guards of the proper size, never slide tackle.It's essential that you guard yourself because you're throwing your leg out there to be tripped over or stepped on.If you're going to be taking it to the ground, Shin guards are absolutely essential.
Step 15: Fight tackles and takedowns are appropriate in a fight.
tackles are used in mixed martial arts to take your opponent to the mat and fight on the ground.It's appropriate when you're fighting someone who is primarily strike oriented and you think you have a better chance of winning with your ground game.
Step 16: The double-leg takedown is used against heavy strikers.
The double-leg takedown is the most common in MMA, in which you drive your shoulders into your opponent's hips, grabbing both legs behind the knees, and pulling them in close to you.Many fighters will drive the opponent up into the air after being taken off their feet, to make the impact on the ground more powerful.cage fighters can use the cage as an ally for added bonus points.Take out the legs with a flurry of punches.Georges St. Pierre waits until the opponent has dropped guard to strike and opens up the double-leg.The freestyle wrestlers use this move more than the MMA fighter.The freestyle wrestler will often drop to their knees very quickly, shooting into the opponent's shins to pull them back off their feet, whereas the MMA fighter needs to defend from strikes, which makes it more necessary to stay upright.The morote-gare has been a legal maneuver since the early 80s.
Step 17: If you miss a punch, you can use the body lock.
Have you thrown a haymaker and missed?You can grab on for a body lock if you've worked your way close.In a body lock, you'll wrap your opponent's waist in your arms, with your head next to their head.If you want to take it to the mat, wrap your striking leg behind your opponent and turn your shoulders to bring him off his feet.Prepare to get a knee to the gut.This isn't the most defensive position, but if you execute it quickly enough, you can cause a lot of damage.
Step 18: The half-guard tackle pass is used.
If your opponent is on his back in half-guard, the tackle pass is an excellent way of breaking it and regaining control of the fight.To execute the maneuver, you want to roll your opponent over using the weight of your shoulders on his hips, using enough pressure to get one arm under his hip and butt area.Applying pressure and rolling him onto his back, shoot that hand underneath and wrap it around your other hand.
Step 19: Go for a suplex.
They are more than just for pro wrestling.A suplex is an excellent and legal way of taking your opponent to the mat.In the suplex, you'll wrap your opponent's torso from either the front or the back and slam them to the mat.It's a common part of some MMA fighters' offense, like Jon "Bones" Jones.This is a good place to practice it before you try it.A lot of it.If you do it wrong, your opponent will land on your instead, and you'll end up with an angry guy on top of you.