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TacklingTechnique

Hawk Tackling Progression

This progression teaches a shoulder-leading, wrap-and-drive tackling technique in controlled stages, building the habit of keeping the head to the side and out of contact before any full-speed work is introduced.

Age RangeAges 10+
Duration10–12 minutes
Group SizePairs, progressing to small groups
SportFootball

Equipment Needed

  • Tackling dummy or shield (recommended)
  • Cones

Setup

  • Start in a stationary, kneeling position for the first stage; progress to standing, then walking, as technique is confirmed.
  • Use a dummy or shield for the first two stages before any player-to-player contact.
Hawk Tackling ProgressionTBCwrapKneelTBCwrapStandTBCwrapWalkHead up, near-shoulder to far number, wrap the far hipProgress stages only once form is correct at full speed

Instructions

  1. Stage 1 (kneeling): players kneel facing a partner holding a shield and practice the wrap — head up, near shoulder to the far number, arms wrapping the far hip.
  2. Stage 2 (standing, stationary): repeat the same wrap technique from a standing two-point stance against the shield.
  3. Stage 3 (walking): the ball carrier walks slowly toward the tackler, who closes the distance under control and executes the same shoulder-led wrap.
  4. Only progress to the next stage once every player demonstrates correct head and shoulder position at the current stage.
Coaching Points
  • Head must stay to the side of the ball carrier at all times — this is the single most important coaching point in the drill.
  • Lead with the shoulder, not the crown of the helmet.
  • Drive the legs through contact while wrapping the arms and squeezing the far hip.
  • Never advance intensity until every player is consistently getting this right at the current stage.

Variation

Once fundamentals are consistent at a walking pace, this progression can move to a jogging pace under close coach supervision, per your league's contact guidelines.

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