HEADS UP

Goal: To teach proper head-on tackling techniques.

Setup: • Play 1v1.
• The field is an area 3 yards wide by 6 yards long with a line of scrimmage
across the middle of the playing area.
• A ballcarrier and a defender line up facing each other 3 yards apart.
• The defender is on the line of scrimmage and the ballcarrier is on a
boundary line at one end of the playing area.
• Before the players begin, instruct all players to keep their shoulders up as
they attempt to tackle and to slide their head to the outside just before
making contact.
• Be sure to match the players according to size and ability.
Description: • The running back’s goal is to get past the defender and get to the other
end of the playing area.
• The defender’s goal is to tackle the ballcarrier using proper head-on
tackling form before the ballcarrier gains these 3 yards.
• Defenders get one point for keeping their eyes up, one point for wrapping
their arms around the ballcarrier, one point for taking the ballcarrier
down, and two points for stopping the runner from gaining the 3 yards
beyond the line of scrimmage.
• The running back gets three points for gaining 3 or more yards.
• The running back should run three times and then switch positions with
the defender.
Variations: • To make the game easier, require the ballcarrier to gain 5 yards before you
award the three points, or move the players closer together.
• To make the game more difficult, widen the playing area, move the
players farther apart, or award the running back three points for gaining
yardage.
• The game can be adapted for angle and open-field tackling by making
the playing area larger and adjusting players’ positioning.

From Coaching Youth Football: The AYF Way, Third Edition • © 2017 Human Kinetics, Inc. • www.asep.com • 800-747-5698