Shoulder Tackling & The 5 Fights Progression

USA Football's Tackling Systems give coaches tools to teach, break down and troubleshoot each defender’s ability to make elite level tackles.

Tackling is the most critical defensive skill, and USA Football has two systems to help give you progressive frameworks that develop the tackle itself, the tackling defender and team defense.

The Shoulder Tackling System was constructed in association with the Seattle Seahawks in-order to equip defenders with a plan and the fundamentals necessary stop the ball-carrier. Building upon that, the Advanced Tackling System is available to help further enhance the techniques and metrics to build a better tackler and defender.

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Youth & High School Systems Membership & Certification Resources

SHOULDER TACKLING CONCEPTS

The Shoulder Tackling System, developed by USA Football in association with the Seattle Seahawks, is a foundational defensive framework that helps coaches develop better tacklers and build a more efficient defense through videos and instructional materials.

FUNDAMENTALS

Comrpised of the key elements of every tackle: Breakdown, Near Foot Position, Swoop, Shoot, and Uppercuts.

LEVERAGE

Is a fundamental skill and term used to make quick decisions and maintain proper body position relative to the ball-carrier during dynamic play.

NEAR FOOT, NEAR SHOULDER

Is a fundamental skill and term used to make quick decisions and maintain proper body position relative to the ball-carrier during dynamic play.

NEAR HIP

The near hip is not only the area of the body that remains the steadiest while closing distance but is the ultimate target area for the contact to come.

FORM TACKLE

Is characterized by the dip and rise, striking up and through. A shoulder tackle through the near pec of the ball carrier.Is characterized by the dip and rise, striking up and through. A shoulder tackle through the near pec of the ball carrier.

THIGH & DRIVE TACKLE

The Thigh & Drive Tackle is a lower body tackle with the aim point being the thigh board of the ball-carrier.

THIGH & ROLL TACKLE

Similar to Thigh & Drive except the finish and the way in which defenders take the carrier to the ground.

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THE 5 FIGHTS

Developed in conjunction with world-renowned and multi-sport tackling expert Richie Gray, this system will provide drills and terminology to better develop all types of tackles and help coaches analyze and improve their defenders success through key performance indicators.

TRACK

Get to the ball-carrier with speed – taking into consideration scheme, leverage and blockers – in order to make the tackle.

PREPARE

The ability to transition from tracking to the correct body positions with proper foot placement for up-coming contact and type of tackle being made.

CONNECT

Through preparation and proper technique, defenders can take the advantage from the first touch, leading to a dominant position and, eventually, a proper tackle.

ACCELERATE

The ability to generate force through the feet and into the ground, providing sustained pressure along with generating controlled power.

FINISH

Taking the tackle to the ground in a dominant fashion and never allowing the job to be left incomplete by controlling the ball-carrier fully, all the way to the deck.

Shoulder Tackling & The 5 Fights Progression

THE 5 FIGHTS

Use the Tackling Progressions With USA Football's Levels of Contact

Shoulder Tackling & The 5 Fights Progression

THE 5 FIGHTS

Use the Tackling Progressions With USA Football's Levels of Contact