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Mike Healy, Defensive Coordinator, North Gwinnett HS, GA

Watch the full video "Teaching Tackling Year Round: Off-Season & In-Season Drills/Progression & In-Season Missed Tackles Analysis" on Glazier Drive

INTRODUCTION This video breaks down what the coach calls the "devil tackle" approach with three key coaching points: hit in the strike zone, be in the "bad circle" (or Madden circle), and arrive in a bad mood. The coach acknowledges borrowing this technique from a Duke clinic by Manny Diaz.

WHAT IS THE STRIKE ZONE? The strike zone is defined as the area below the ball carrier's shoulders and above their knees. Like in baseball where pitchers must throw in the strike zone, defenders must tackle in this zone. The coach shows film examples of missed tackles, pointing out when players hit too high or too low, outside the strike zone.

THE MADDEN CIRCLE CONCEPT The Madden circle (also called "bad circle") determines when players should leave their feet to make a tackle. Every player in the Madden video game has a circle around them - once a defender's feet are within this circle around the ball carrier, they're properly leveraged to leave their feet and make the tackle.

DRILL #1: THE MADDEN CIRCLE DRILL Players practice proper tackling position within a physical circle marked on the field (can use hula hoops or tape). They start in good tackling posture - one leg forward, hips rolled forward - and tackle onto a crash pad. The drill teaches players exactly when it's appropriate to leave their feet, first from a stationary position, then adding movement with approach angles.

DRILL #2: THE POPSICLE PAD DRILL Borrowed from the New England Patriots under Matt Patricia, this drill uses a popsicle pad to replicate the weight and force of tackling without hitting teammates. Players hit the pad daily, focusing on rolling their hips through contact and running their feet for 2-3 steps. The coach demonstrates variations including having DBs backpedal before coming downhill to hit the pad.

DRILL #3: THE UPPERCUT DRILL This low-impact drill works on hip explosion and violent finishing. Players get in groups and practice an uppercut motion that simulates wrapping and finishing a tackle. The coach emphasizes getting the back in a "banana shape" with an elongated upward motion, putting "their peckers into the pad" to generate explosive hip drive.

GAME APPLICATIONS Throughout the video, the coach shows multiple game clips where the drills directly translate to successful tackles in games, including:

• A safety making a tackle on a running back after getting in the Madden circle
• A corner tackling on a buck sweep after properly timing when to leave his feet
• A linebacker hitting a quarterback on the run
• A DB coming downhill from backpedal to make a tackle
• A linebacker making a "perfect profile straight-up tackle"

CONCLUSION Practice drills that are directly applicable to game situations so players feel comfortable executing proper technique when it matters. The combination of strike zone targeting, knowing when to leave feet (Madden circle), and practicing proper contact (popsicle pad and uppercut drills) creates effective tacklers.

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