Why can't I tackle?

Question

I play middle school football I start on offense but coach says I tackle like a girl so he won't let me start on defense I try to tackle as low as I can but it doesn't work.
PLEASE HELP!!!!

Answer 1

wow
a coach told you - you tackle like a girl???
Thats a coach that doesn't want to teach you.

the basics of a tackle include "break down" mid stride...
meaning drop your center of gravity while keeping your shoulders over your knees...
feet wide - shoulders dropped.

ok
you know that part?

now when you engage the ball carrier...

"smell his farthest hip pad"
thats how I teach it.

If he's running to your left...
get your head to the fartherst - outside hip pad...(his right hip).
Like you want to smell it.

keep your feet under you - don't dive there.

With balled up fists (club fists)
throw your arms around him the moment your helmet makes contact...
wrap your arms up tight...
feet driving
lift
and try to drive him to the ground by pulling his legs toward you.

the reason I teach balling the fists is because it prevents you from opening your hand to brace your fall...
you can't break fingers in you're making a fist.

I hope this helps.
keep trying...never give up...in fact...tell the coach you want to work on this after practice...every day....until he puts you on defense.

Why?
because DEFENSE wins championships.

Answer 2

You have to commit yourself entirely to forcing your body to do what it doesn't want to do and that is to put itself in harm's way. This will test your mental stability and strain your body. However once your are able to put your mind over matter you can accomplish almost anything (such as tackling). For some this comes easily, for others (like yourself) it will take constant focus and numerous attempts. Or if you think I'm over-complicating the issue then think of it this way, use your body as a hammer. Think about it, even the smallest guy can use what body mass he has to bring down anyone. Watch pro football and see how they tackle; sometimes all you have to do is get in the guy's way and let him bring himself down. And after all that, if you still can't tackle very well, then just get really good at whatever position you play on offense.

Answer 3

For one you have to practice a lot. Dont try to do it all on emotion though. Defense is a lot about emotion but if you consistently play out of position you will not do well. Wrap the guy around the waist, get your head across the ball and try to pull him down. If he is a strong back and you cant pull him down just hold on to him so another teammate can get the second hit on him. Defense is more about group tackles than solo tackles.

Answer 4

I know Coach has told you this but here it is one more time.
First off; You sort of have to want to 'tattoo' the runner. With extreme prejudice.
Secondly: Spread your feet about as wide as your shoulders. Bend slightly at the knees, up on the "balls of your feet", arms open and ready for your victim. That's called "breaking down" or getting ready to deliver a blow. When the runner makes his break or comes straight at you, lean into (on the balls of your feet) the 'break down' position, and just before he actually reaches you, push with your legs, keeping your neck straight and rigid. Use your face mask to hit him. If he's running upright then his chest is your first target. After you get good you can learn to aim for the arm that holds the ball. Try it in drills several times and I guarantee you that you too can learn to "HIT" . All of the power is in your legs. Wrap your arms around the runner after the initial 'hit'. That's called 'locking- up' . Never 'arm tackle' and never forget to 'lock-up'. Get in the runners way, the way you were taught to get in front of a ground ball in baseball. Make him go over you. If you don't hit him, he will leave tracks all over you. It's you or him. Who is it going to be? Who wins? If you have to tackle from the side or back, just grab whatever you can legally grab and pull, sling, or drag the runner down. Who is it going to be? Who wins?
Yes, you may even feel a little pain, but just knowing that you stopped the play is more than worth the sting. If you don't play to win then why keep score?

Answer 5

sorry to hear that man. I'm a girl and I have been told that I tackle like a guy. You should definitely keep aiming low. You have to put your weight in it too. Don't think about it, just do it. You've got to picture someone that makes you soooo freaken mad it's crazy, and then go for it. Don't slow down, and don't stop.

Good luck man

Answer 6

when you are going in for the tackle....think of yourself as a mack truck and the carrier is little hatch back...square off lower your shoulder and RUN threw him....hit the waist and wrap your arms....Never think your going to get hurt..because you will pull up and the runner will get the best of you.... you have to have CONFIDENCE when you tackle.... Work on your legs in gym..good strong legs will help..... GOOD LUCK...

maybe look at the ball carrier as being the coach and your going to smash him for saying you hit like a girl....HYPE yourself up MAN.... DO THE DAM THING

Answer 7

Don't tackle like a girl.

Answer 8

when i played i was afraid i would miss tackle and look dumb. then i got the courage one day in practice, got built up anger and i was the one with the most tackles in that practice. i had 13 tackles in a hour practice.

Answer 9

I will tell you what they taught me. picture a spot on the ground behind the player you are going to tackle and don't let anything stop you from getting to that spot. go through the other man to get there.

Answer 10

remember in sports its not size of the dog but size of the dogs heart inside that counts. theres technec in all sports and getting more purficont at them will help you tackle better . watch the pros who arent as big tackle and watch closely how they stop runners momentum without haveing a wrestleing match .lift weights to gain more upper body strength and use your speed to gain the proper shot on that runner . theres right and wrong way to hit in football . wrong way causes injury right way gives you better hitting power . talk to your couch and tell him you know you arent his choice for defence but youd like to practise with them from time to time to get that edge so in future youll be good enough. dont give up time will change your body and your skills but remember its your moves that maker great tackler not size .