Drills Report: The 3-On-2 Contain and Tackle Drill

The purpose of this drill is to be able to close on a ball carrier and adjust to the different angles when a player is blocked or taken out of the play. Once a tackler has been blocked, the remaining two tacklers in this drill adjust and close in on the runner without getting beat to the outside, split down the middle, or overrunning the ball carrier. Depending on the coach’s objective, the goal of the drill is to either completely contain the ball carrier by wrapping him up or tackling him one-on-one.
At SEMO, this is a very good drill for us because it gives our players the opportunity to work on different angles that they need to take to make the tackle. It also gives our defenders an opportunity to work on breaking down before making the tackle and also working on closing in on the ball carrier inside out. But most of all, it gives all of our defensive players the opportunity to work as a team. This is a full speed effort for everyone taking part in this drill.

Here’s how the drill is set up (See diagram).

• The first tackler is on the goal line in stance with the outside linebacker having containment responsibilities. Remember, nothing gets outside of him.

• The second tackler is on the 5-yard line in stance on an angle. He is the middle linebacker and works as the filler, inside-out tackler.
• The third tackler is on about the 10-yard line in stance on an angle as the other outside linebacker.

• The blocker (B) is on the 20 yard line where the 20 yard line and the hash mark meet. The blocker chooses to block one of the three tacklers on the whistle.

• The runner starts on the opposite side and is positioned one yard inside the hash. The ball carrier runs to the opposite hash, makes his move, and runs up field. Once the runner is contained and tackled, the drill is over for that group.

• This drill can also be practiced to the opposite side and is also a great drill for parts of kickoff coverage.

Coaching Points:

1. Close down on the ball carrier inside out.

2. As they are breaking for the ball carrier, have them focus on the hip. Focusing and closing down on the hip inside-out will help eliminate a missed tackle.

3. One of the tacklers will fight through the blocker to make the tackle. The other two will close in and contain the ball carrier.

4. Do not let the ball carrier outside – right or left – and do not let him split.

5. The ball carrier is allowed to run anywhere between the hashes to defeat the tacklers. u

Troy Dumas has been the linebackers coach at Southeast Missouri State University since 2008. He came to SEMO from Doane College where he served as defensive coordinator. Dumas was also an assistant coach at Cheyenne Central High School in Cheyenne, WY. A former All-American linebacker at Nebraska, Dumas played in the NFL for the Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, and Denver Broncos.