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When trying to tackle harder, it comes down to fundamentals. Tackling has very little to do with body weight. If you use your speed properly, perfect your body posture, and explode into your opponent correctly, you’ll be tackling harder in no time.
Steps
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Get your feet in the right spot. Your feet should be shoulder width apart and underneath your hips. Your weight should be on your toes, and you should be ready to move. [1] X Research source
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Squeeze your shoulder blades. Squeezing your shoulder blades together and down will create tension in the upper back. This will keep your back flat and aligned to help prevent any back injuries.Advertisement
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Load your body weight. Sink your body down using your leg and core muscles so that your knees are bent and waist is lowered, and you are ready to explode. As you sink your body weight down, be sure to keep the tension in your upper back. You want to be in a 45 degree lean at this point. [2] X Research source
- Keeping your eyes on your opponents armpit is another good way to keep your back in the right position to prevent injury.
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Ready your hands. Putting your hands in front of you will ensure that you’re ready to move. It helps you focus on what’s in front of you and helps keep your weight forward.
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Use leverage. Having this body posture will only help you hit harder if you’re in the correct positioning when your near your opponent. You want to be right on him, as though you’re stepping on his feet, when you are preparing to tackle him. Take his next step away from him.
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Activate your arms. Use your arms for power by swinging them opposite of your legs. Each time you step with your left leg, your right arm should come through powerfully. Then, your right arm should swing back as your left arm moves forward with your right leg. The motor of your shoulder will help pick your legs up and down. Be aggressive with your arms. [3] X Research source
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Have high knees. If you activate your arms, it will help you drive your knees up. When running, your knee should come up to propel you forward, and then your foot should land directly beneath your body. This will help engage your hips and make you run faster toward your opponent. Your hips will roll through like an elastic band if you enact your shoulders and legs in your run.
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3Run full speed the entire time. The most common problem among players is that they let up before impact. This slow down makes for less hitting power. You want to cut your last step in half, but keep it as powerful and fast as the previous steps. This half step will allow you to align your body weight over your hips and help you hit harder.
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Use your whole body. Drive your entire body into your opponent. You do this by driving your hips forward through your shoulders for ultimate power. Driving your shoulder through them. This gives you the force to drive your opponent backwards, regardless of their size.
- Remember to hit low. This will help knock them out of balance. They will wave you off easily if you go in high. Your shoulder should hit in the number area of your opponent’s jersey. [4] X Research source
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Wrap around your opponent. Shoot your hands up and grab your opponent. Make sure not to grab them by only their jersey or you’ll be called for a penalty. Do not stop your feet to wrap your arms around them: it should be one fluid movement. Lock your arms around his body; if you cannot lock your arms, grab as much of his padding as you can. [5] X Research source
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Create rotation. This ultimately helps override any of the force that your opponent has. The rotation is what will give you the advantage, even if you’re a smaller person. Use your right or left foot to push off as hard and as fast as you can to create this rotation. If you use your right foot, you’ll drive your opponent in a counter-clockwise motion: if you use your left foot, your opponent will rotate in a clockwise motion. This will create “rise” through the ball carrier. [6] X Research source
- A stronger lower body will help you take down your opponent with more force. Doing heavy lifts such as squats, deadlifts, thrusters, and hang cleans will increase your lower body strength.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I get used to taking hard hits?Community AnswerIt's important to remember that it's not the size of the dog that wins the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Even if you're not the biggest or strongest, showing a determination to never quit will show everyone that you're confident and strong enough to take the tackles. Over time, your body itself will adjust to the pain of being tackled.
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QuestionHow do I run somebody over?Community AnswerWork on your size/mass, use effort and leg drive, keep yourself balanced, timing, and using center of gravity.
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QuestionHow do I tackle and not get scared?SirHelpAlotCommunity AnswerLower yourself and explode toward the player. By lowering yourself, you can resist more impact and are less likely to get trucked - hence, the fear is gone.
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Tips
- The stronger you are, the easier it will be to take down the ball carrier. However, no amount of strength can overcome proper form. Keep this form and continue growing in the weight room for the ultimate hard tackle.Thanks
- Keep your eyes on the numbers or the numbers of your opponent at all times.Thanks
- Stay low and hit low as this will give you more power when playing.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Visualize running right through your opponent, as if they weren't even there. Or pick a destination spot past them and sprint full-out to it. This builds momentum.
- Right before contact, explode through the ball carrier from your low stance, driving your feet as you wrap up. This adds force for an effective, hard tackle.
- Hit with all your might, no matter the size differential. Act with intensity like it's your last ever game. Desire and effort matter as much as strength.
- Don't ever stand upright pre-tackle or you'll likely end up on your back before the play ends. Stay coiled in an athletic position.
- Perform a shallow dive into the opponent's hips or thighs at impact. Launching your body adds tackle power. But keep your head up.
- For more forced fumbles, position your helmet firmly on the ball-carrying side as you wrap up. This jars it loose.
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Warnings
- If you hit with your head down, you can severely injure your spine. Be sure to keep your head up. Avoid ramming or spearing your opponent with the top of your helmet, as that could cause neck injuries or concussions.Thanks
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References
- ↑ http://usafootball.com/health-safety/how-to-tackle
- ↑ http://usafootball.com/health-safety/how-to-tackle
- ↑ http://speedendurance.com/2011/11/21/how-to-run-faster-with-your-arms/
- ↑ https://www.ussportscamps.com/tips/football/tackling-is-fundamental/
- ↑ https://www.ussportscamps.com/tips/football/tackling-is-fundamental/
- ↑ https://www.ussportscamps.com/tips/football/tackling-is-fundamental/
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Reader Success Stories
- "I play football I'm 70 lbs. I get hit a lot and I fall down. There is this kid of 90 lbs and he knocked me down. And he was mean because I am not as big as him. But I tried this and I can knock him over, hit him and throw him, And now he never bullies me." ..." more
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"I play football I'm 70 lbs. I get hit a lot and I fall down. There is this kid of 90 lbs and he knocked me down. And he was mean because I am not as big as him. But I tried this and I can knock him over, hit him and throw him, And now he never bullies me."
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"I myself am a smaller player, being only 5'9" and 120 lbs. Most people would run through me because I'd let up before the hit, but I've been using this, and my tackle % has really increased. Great article."
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"I'm a 13 year old dude and 5 foot 9. I play middle school football and this helped me a good bit. I wasn't really getting low enough."
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"It gives details and explains better than coaches, and helps you learn on your own and points out main tips. Thanks."
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"In football practice, it helped me square up what I'm hitting and not just get rocked."
