Description

Chase Petersen, Defensive Coordinator, Prosper HS, TX

Full video on Glazier Drive: Prosper Eagles Tackling Circuit & Techniques

This video covers a defensive pursuit and angle drill designed to teach players proper positioning and tackling techniques.

DRILL SETUP

The drill uses three cones representing offensive players on one side. Defensive players start on their backs and must quickly identify where the ball goes when thrown to one of the cone positions. Three defenders work simultaneously—typically a defensive lineman, plus two other positions like a safety/outside linebacker or inside linebacker/corner rotating through.

PURSUIT ANGLES BY POSITION

Defensive linemen pursue flat from inside out to the perimeter, taking a shallow angle to prevent cutback lanes while pushing ball carriers to the sideline. They won't make tackles on the sideline but must run with the expectation of a cutback. Perimeter players (safeties, linebackers, defensive backs) work downhill toward the near hip, taking steeper angles and leveraging with their left shoulder to force the ball carrier toward pursuing defenders.

KEY COACHING POINTS

The primary emphasis is recognition and proper angle-taking based on field position. Players must quickly identify ball location after flipping over and calculate the correct pursuit path. When defenders are in a "negative position" (outside the ball carrier's V-angle), they maintain full speed with a good angle. When in a "positive position" (inside the V), they must throttle down—widening their base, shortening stride, and getting shoulders over toes to avoid overrunning and giving up cutbacks.

CONTACT MANAGEMENT

This isn't a full-contact drill. Players typically tag or punch the hip rather than taking tackles to the ground, though contact-specific work happens separately on mats during the tackling circuit.

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