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As
modern offenses rapidly continue to modify their playbooks with
the intention of generating both space and one-on-one situations,
it is imperative that defensive backs become fundamentally sound
in the art of the open-field tackle.
At Christopher Newport University we believe tackling is a learned skill. Consequently
we judge that everyone can become a better tackler by concentrating and working
on certain techniques. Tackling is entrenched in our defensive philosophy.
Additionally, our defensive philosophy maintains the theory of “bend but
don’t break.” High on our goal list is stopping the big play; we
stress to our student-athletes the idea of making an offense work for the yards
it gains. As a result of this theory we find it essential that our defensive
backs have fundamentally sound open-field tackling skills. The following drills
and techniques have been successful for us in coaching one of the hardest situations
in defensive football.
Key Terms to Teach the Open-Field Tackle
When teaching open-field tackling, we stress two essential rules using two terms
that are uniformly used on all our defensive and special team players:
1.) “COME TO BALANCE” - In order to accomplish an open-field tackle,
defenders must always be under control and in a good football position. He must
attack at nearly full speed yet be under control. When we use the term “come
to balance” we are referring to a phase of motion that we call “stalking.” As
the defender attacks the ball carrier at full speed he should be able to convert
his normal sprinting mechanics into a forward shuffle technique or a “stalk” technique.
Within 4-6 yards away from the ball carrier the defensive player will begin to
slow his sprint down and gradually get into a good football position with his
knees flexed, back straight, neck bulled, and eyes up and focused on the center
of his opponents numbers. In this position he will begin his “stalk” where
he will take short choppy steps, gradually gaining ground on the ball carrier.
2.) “USE YOUR HELP” - As the defender begins to convert his sprint
to a “stalk” he must begin to choose a side to attack his opponent.
Choosing a side will also allow the defender to force the ball carrier to his
nearest help – either a teammate or the sideline. In actuality the defender
is minimizing space, which the offense is trying to create.
Drill Work
Working on the “stalk” technique
 Diagram 1. |
We use a variety of drills in order to teach our defensive backs
the fundamentals of open-field tackling. In individual drills we
incorporate the “stalk” footwork
in to our daily warm-up routine of defensive back movements. As we progress through
our “backpedal and breaks” work we add the stalk movement to the
end of the drill. In the following drill the coach will send the DBs into a backpedal
by simulating a 5-step drop as the coach begins to simulate a throwing or handing
off motion the defenders will break forward and quickly accelerate directly down
the path that they had just backpedaled upon. At the starting point of the drill
the next defensive backs in line will be waiting with a ball. When the tacklers
come within 4-6 yards they will begin their “stalk” and continue
to land their eyes on the ball carrier who is told to speed walk at a 45-degree
angle. (See Diagram 1.)
Open-Field Tackling Versus Wide Receivers
 Diagram 2. |
At CNU we do an assortment of one-on-one drills with the wide
receivers and quarterbacks. The following drill will teach our
defensive backs that they
can make sure tackles
while keeping their proper cushion on a receiver. The drill is set up with
a group of quarterbacks in the center of the field and two groups of receivers
on each side of the field. Four cones are set up three yards in front of
both receivers. The cones are set in a 8x8-yard square. This forces
the receiver
to
make a quick move in limited space and allows the drill to simulate other
defenders outside the cones. The quarterbacks and receivers will
throw three-step hitch
routes simultaneously working both sides of the field. The DBs will align
at proper man coverage depth, anywhere between 5-8 yards, and will
also alternate
utilizing both inside and outside leverage. As the quarterback drops, the
defender will begin to backpedal attempting to maintain his vertical
cushion. As the
ball is thrown the DB will break forward on the receiver and will begin to
sprint
full speed. As he approaches the receiver he will come to balance, begin
to “stalk,” and
make the open-field tackle. During this drill the coach must stress the importance
of taking away one side of the ball carrier. Anticipating that the receiver
will attempt to take the opposite side, the DB must attack the receiver with
his “stalk” technique.
Upon contact, the defender is coached to land his eyes on the receiver’s
numbers and continue to work through the receiver by moving his feet and
rolling his hips. The drill is done at full speed, but is ended by a whistle
before
the receiver is taken to the ground. (See Diagram 2.)
Learning to “Use Your Help”
The next two drills are used in order that we can coach the DBs to force
a ball carrier to their “help.”
The “sideline” tackle drill is set up with four cones in a 10x10-yard
square. The DBs will be split up into two groups, ball carriers and tacklers,
and will rotate from each line. The coach will stand in between both lines and
act as the quarterback simulating a toss to the sideline. The tacklers are again
taught to sprint and “stalk” the offensive player taking away
the inside and allowing for the sideline to become an extra defender. The
tackler
must always take a proper angle and must constantly be gaining ground on
the ball carrier. A proper angle will allow for minimal room for cut back
and gaining
ground will minimize the possibility of the runner beating the defender
inside the far cone. (See Diagram 3.)
 Diagram 3. |
An additional form of help a defensive back may use in performing an open-field tackle is another one of his teammates. This can be simulated by splitting up the DBs into three groups: receivers, flat or force defenders; deep outside defenders. The coach will serve as the quarterback and will take a three-step drop and throw the ball to a receiver located outside the force player and in front of the deep player. Once the ball is thrown the DBs will sprint and stalk the receiver using each other to leverage the ball carrier between them. (as seen in Diagram 4)
 Diagram 4. |
About the author
Justin Lustig
Justin Lustig has spent the past two seasons as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. In only its second year of existence, the new program at CNU has won two Dixie Conference Championships and with it two automatic bids to the NCAA D-III tournament. This past season Lustig assisted on a defense that was nationally ranked in several categories including Total Defense (271.1ypg) and Scoring Defense (15.2 ppg,) and led the conference in interceptions (2001 and 2002).
Lustig graduated from Bucknell University in 2000 where he was a four year starter at defensive back and captain his senior year.
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