Stalking Down Ball Carriers

Christopher Newport University teaches open-field tackling to the defensive backfield
Defensive Coordinator/Recruiting Coordinator
© More from this issue

          

If you liked this article, here are three others just like it: 1) Intercepting the Game, Nov. 2000 2) Basic Corner Techniques and Drills, June 1999 3) Southern Pride, Sept. 2000

As modern offenses rapidly continue to modify their playbooks with the intention of generating both space and one-on-one situations, it is imperative that defensive backs become fundamentally sound in the art of the open-field tackle.

At Christopher Newport University we believe tackling is a learned skill. Consequently we judge that everyone can become a better tackler by concentrating and working on certain techniques. Tackling is entrenched in our defensive philosophy.

Additionally, our defensive philosophy maintains the theory of “bend but don’t break.” High on our goal list is stopping the big play; we stress to our student-athletes the idea of making an offense work for the yards it gains. As a result of this theory we find it essential that our defensive backs have fundamentally sound open-field tackling skills. The following drills and techniques have been successful for us in coaching one of the hardest situations in defensive football.

Key Terms to Teach the Open-Field Tackle

When teaching open-field tackling, we stress two essential rules using two terms that are uniformly used on all our defensive and special team players:

1.) “COME TO BALANCE” - In order to accomplish an open-field tackle, defenders must always be under control and in a good football position. He must attack at nearly full speed yet be under control. When we use the term “come to balance” we are referring to a phase of motion that we call “stalking.” As the defender attacks the ball carrier at full speed he should be able to convert his normal sprinting mechanics into a forward shuffle technique or a “stalk” technique. Within 4-6 yards away from the ball carrier the defensive player will begin to slow his sprint down and gradually get into a good football position with his knees flexed, back straight, neck bulled, and eyes up and focused on the center of his opponents numbers. In this position he will begin his “stalk” where he will take short choppy steps, gradually gaining ground on the ball carrier.

2.) “USE YOUR HELP” - As the defender begins to convert his sprint to a “stalk” he must begin to choose a side to attack his opponent. Choosing a side will also allow the defender to force the ball carrier to his nearest help – either a teammate or the sideline. In actuality the defender is minimizing space, which the offense is trying to create.

Drill Work

Working on the “stalk” technique

Diagram 1.

We use a variety of drills in order to teach our defensive backs the fundamentals of open-field tackling. In individual drills we incorporate the “stalk” footwork in to our daily warm-up routine of defensive back movements. As we progress through our “backpedal and breaks” work we add the stalk movement to the end of the drill. In the following drill the coach will send the DBs into a backpedal by simulating a 5-step drop as the coach begins to simulate a throwing or handing off motion the defenders will break forward and quickly accelerate directly down the path that they had just backpedaled upon. At the starting point of the drill the next defensive backs in line will be waiting with a ball. When the tacklers come within 4-6 yards they will begin their “stalk” and continue to land their eyes on the ball carrier who is told to speed walk at a 45-degree angle. (See Diagram 1.)

Open-Field Tackling Versus Wide Receivers

Diagram 2.

At CNU we do an assortment of one-on-one drills with the wide receivers and quarterbacks. The following drill will teach our defensive backs that they can make sure tackles while keeping their proper cushion on a receiver. The drill is set up with a group of quarterbacks in the center of the field and two groups of receivers on each side of the field. Four cones are set up three yards in front of both receivers. The cones are set in a 8x8-yard square. This forces the receiver to make a quick move in limited space and allows the drill to simulate other defenders outside the cones. The quarterbacks and receivers will throw three-step hitch routes simultaneously working both sides of the field. The DBs will align at proper man coverage depth, anywhere between 5-8 yards, and will also alternate utilizing both inside and outside leverage. As the quarterback drops, the defender will begin to backpedal attempting to maintain his vertical cushion. As the ball is thrown the DB will break forward on the receiver and will begin to sprint full speed. As he approaches the receiver he will come to balance, begin to “stalk,” and make the open-field tackle. During this drill the coach must stress the importance of taking away one side of the ball carrier. Anticipating that the receiver will attempt to take the opposite side, the DB must attack the receiver with his “stalk” technique. Upon contact, the defender is coached to land his eyes on the receiver’s numbers and continue to work through the receiver by moving his feet and rolling his hips. The drill is done at full speed, but is ended by a whistle before the receiver is taken to the ground. (See Diagram 2.)

Learning to “Use Your Help”

The next two drills are used in order that we can coach the DBs to force a ball carrier to their “help.”

The “sideline” tackle drill is set up with four cones in a 10x10-yard square. The DBs will be split up into two groups, ball carriers and tacklers, and will rotate from each line. The coach will stand in between both lines and act as the quarterback simulating a toss to the sideline. The tacklers are again taught to sprint and “stalk” the offensive player taking away the inside and allowing for the sideline to become an extra defender. The tackler must always take a proper angle and must constantly be gaining ground on the ball carrier. A proper angle will allow for minimal room for cut back and gaining ground will minimize the possibility of the runner beating the defender inside the far cone. (See Diagram 3.)

Diagram 3.

An additional form of help a defensive back may use in performing an open-field tackle is another one of his teammates. This can be simulated by splitting up the DBs into three groups: receivers, flat or force defenders; deep outside defenders. The coach will serve as the quarterback and will take a three-step drop and throw the ball to a receiver located outside the force player and in front of the deep player. Once the ball is thrown the DBs will sprint and stalk the receiver using each other to leverage the ball carrier between them. (as seen in Diagram 4)

Diagram 4.

While utilizing these drills it is quite important to continually point out the specifics of the “stalk” techniques and the idea of using your “help.” There are many coaching points that follow with these drills, however, there are certain mistakes defenders continually make while practicing these techniques. Often players fail to come to balance and look to make the big impact. In an open-field tackle the big hit is not the primary objective, making the sure tackle is much more important. Players must understand that a 12-yard gain hurts a defense much less than a 50-yard gain off a three-step hitch route. Defenders also consistently forget to take a side away from a ball carrier giving the runner two options and allowing him to run away from two possible defenders. It must be constantly stressed that in the open-field there is help on the way.

---

About the author
Justin Lustig
Justin Lustig has spent the past two seasons as the defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, VA. In only its second year of existence, the new program at CNU has won two Dixie Conference Championships and with it two automatic bids to the NCAA D-III tournament. This past season Lustig assisted on a defense that was nationally ranked in several categories including Total Defense (271.1ypg) and Scoring Defense (15.2 ppg,) and led the conference in interceptions (2001 and 2002).

Lustig graduated from Bucknell University in 2000 where he was a four year starter at defensive back and captain his senior year.

NEW BOOK!

Digital Download - 304 Pages of Football Forms for the Winning Coach