THE PRP/PRO

12-STEP TACKLE
PROGRESSION SYSTEM
By
Kevin Schnicker – Defensive Coordinator
Smith-Cotton High School
Sedalia, Missouri
kschnicker@yahoo.com
 Step 1- VISUALIZE

• Actually see yourself in your mind’s

eye, closing in on the ball carrier.
Imagining all the moves he can make
to try and fake you out before you
make the tackle
 Step 2- WAIST AT 45

• Stand with your upper body straight,

knees bent, feet shoulders width apart.
Lean forward until you can see the top of
your shoe laces just under your knee caps.
Your waist must stay at a 45 degree angle
from the snap of the football to the ref’s
whistle on every play. Bend in the knees
not in the waist.
Step 3- STEEL YOUR SPINE

• Stand in a football “ready” position, knees

bent, feet shoulders width apart, upper
body forward lean. Without straightening
the knees, slightly lift your rear end.
Without raising the upper body, stick out
your chest. This creates an inward curve
of the spine which forces the head up and
adds great strength to the spinal column.
 Step 4- BUZZ YOUR FEET

• After running full speed to get to the ball

carrier, come under control by spreading
your feet shoulders width apart, using
short, quick, choppy steps, lowering the
body’s center of gravity as you close in to
make the tackle.
 Step 5- STEP IN A HOLE

• Visualize stepping in an imaginary hole

with your front leg. A deep bend in the
knee of the front leg gets your shoulder
pads under the shoulder pads of the ball
carrier. Low pads win, high pads lose.
Always bend in the knees, not in the waist.
Step 6- TRIGGER POINT

• (Hit Position) Your eyes are up, spine

is steeled, waist at 45, you’ve stepped
in a hole, and your arms are pulled
back ready to rip. Your body is fully
coiled and ready to deliver a blow to
the opponent.
 Step 7- RIP AND SHOOT

• (Rip) Forcefully swing both arms in an

upper cut motion like a boxer and lock on.
(Shoot) Thrust you hips upward with
equal force at the same time you rip your
arms. Remember to always hit up and
through the ball carrier using the
shoulders. Never use the helmet or
facemask to initiate contact with
opponent.
 Step 8- EYES UP

• Always keep your eyes up! See the

ball carrier at all times as you make
the tackle. Never make first contact
with the top of your helmet or
facemask!
 Step 9- LAST 7 INCHES

• Always keep your Head above your

Rear End. Never have your Head
and Rear End on the same level.
Never have your Head below your
Rear End. You are in control of your
body. Trust in your technique and
execute it with determined focus.
 Step 10- STRIKE PLATE

• (Shoulders) Initial contact is made

with the Shoulders ONLY! Just
under the Chin, from Shoulder tip to
Shoulder tip. Not the Chest! Never
use the facemask or helmet to tackle
an opponent.
 Step 11- GRAB CLOTH

• Tightly grab the opponent’s jersey

with both hands and forcefully take
him to the ground until he is down
and the whistle blows.
 Step 12- HOW MANY

• In practice, just before you make contract

with a tackle dummy your coach will flash
his fingers. If your eyes are up you will
see “How many” fingers coach held up.
During live contact you must focus and
imagine how many fingers you see in your
mind’s eye every time you make a tackle.