Skills and Drills: Miami Dolphins fallback tackle drill - linebackers

By Frank Bartscheck | Posted 8/26/2016

If you boil down the running back position into categories, there are essentially two different types of running styles.

First, there are the one-cut running backs, exemplified by the punishing north-south running style of Marshawn Lynch, who typically runs the ball between the tackles.

The second category is exemplified by the running style of LeSean McCoy, who is more of a finesse running back that prefers to run in the open field or on the perimeter.

Peter King reported the sentiments of former Eagles coach Chip Kelly after he jettisoned McCoy to Buffalo.

"McCoy was too east-west of a runner for [Kelly's] taste," King said.

However, there are a few players who play in the NFL that can embody both styles of running. Walter Payton, arguably the greatest running back of all time, exemplifies this type back.

"I looked at Walter differently," former Bears head coach Mike Ditka said. “He could do it all. He was just a talented guy.”

Interestingly, I had previously written about the importance of footwork as it relates to football and how dancing can augment a player’s footwork technique.

In a recent interview, Jarrett Payton, who is the son of Walter, discussed the importance of dancing within his family.

“Dancing has been in my family for years, going back to thatSoul Train show and my mom dancing at Jackson State. My whole family has good footwork that translates well on the dance floor,” said Payton.

Jarrett is no slouch himself. While a senior running back at the University of Miami he ran for more than 1,000 yards. Keep in mind, Jarrett completed this feat while also competing for time against future NFL stalwarts Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, and Clinton Portis

The purpose of this drill is to teach linebackers to perfect their footwork in pursuit of the ball carrier and stay square to the ball carrier, in order to defend against an inside-the-box cutback run.

Drill Set Up

Place two garbage cans next to each other and align a linebacker at normal depth on one side of the two cans. On the opposite side of the cans, have a teammate or coach hold a tackle bag while lined up 4 yards off of the garbage cans.

Key Coaching Points

On the coach’s whistle, both players will move toward the same side of the garbage cans, which simulates a linebacker recognizing a run read directly toward him.

After two or three steps, the running back should quickly cut back to the opposite side of the garbage cans. This move simulates the cutback on an inside zone.

Do not let the linebacker cheat on this drill. Directly after the initial whistle, the linebacker must take his initial shuffle steps toward his area of responsibility, then read the cutback and shuffle to the opposite side of the garbage cans.

Once the linebacker reaches the simulated ball carrier, they should execute a perfect form tackle, which includes:

  • Good rips
  • Knuckles up
  • Elbows down
  • Explode through the hips

SEE ALSO: Skills and Drills: Carolina Panthers blitz progression drills - linebackers

SEE ALSO: Skills and Drills: Northwestern Wildcats open field tacking – defensive backs

Photo courtesy of MiamiDolphins.com

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