Description

AJ Cooper, LB Coach, Arizona State

Full video on Glazier Drive: LB Tackling Progression

OVERVIEW

This video breaks down Arizona State's linebacker tackling progression, using a "backward teaching" approach — starting players in the fit/contact position first to build confidence and feel, then gradually working them backward into full-speed, in-space tackling.

PHASE 1: FIT POSITION PROGRESSION

Players start already in the tackling fit position with their face already on contact, emphasizing near foot up, same foot/same shoulder, and an exaggerated "uppercut" arm swing while driving their feet for five steps. The coaching cue is "get a leg, take a leg" (squeezing and lifting the ball carrier's leg). From there, the drill backs players up incrementally — one step into contact, then two steps into contact — while keeping all the same fundamentals: same foot/same shoulder, face centered on the near hip/near number, and driving through contact for five steps.

PHASE 2: TACKLING IN SPACE (SEVEN CONE DRILL)

Designed to simulate open-field tackling. Linebackers must take away space, keep leverage, and force the ball carrier in one direction while staying inside-out and avoiding a head-up position (which gives the ball carrier a three-way go). Starts as a non-contact drill with one player as the "linebacker" and one as the "ball carrier," working the same collision point, footwork, and leverage principles.

PHASE 3: ADDING AN AGILITY BAG (SPEED/GATOR TACKLING)

Once pads are on, an agility bag is added to mimic speed tackles — the kind needed on screens, bubbles, and stretch plays. Players work to stay inside-out and track to the near hip/near number, a technique also called a "gator tackle" or "roll tackle."

PHASE 4: ADDING A "CRASH MAN"

A blocker/crash defender is added to increase realism. The focus stays on loading up the strike (uppercuts or palms down, based on player preference) and finishing with proper near hip/near number contact.

PHASE 5: COMBINING DRILLS IN SPACE ("REVERSE L")

Players now work around a cone in a reverse-L shape, combining the earlier fit and space-tackling drills. Coaching points include closing distance quickly, breaking down properly, keeping hips and shoulders square on contact, and avoiding getting too wide or head-up on the ball carrier.

PHASE 6: LIVE TEAM PERIODS

Arizona State runs live tackling at least once per week during the season. The coach reviews game-speed reps (jet sweeps, gap schemes) showing linebackers matching the ball carrier's path, staying inside-out, closing ground, and executing the same near hip/near number technique taught in the drills — while acknowledging that in live football, technique won't always be picture-perfect.

PHASE 7: GAME FILM APPLICATION

The video closes with real game clips (quarterback scrambles, tackles in space) showing the direct carryover from the drill progression — players closing distance aggressively, taking good angles, and finishing tackles using the same speed-tackle and gator-tackle mechanics developed in practice.

KEY TAKEAWAY FOR COACHES

The progression is built to move from controlled, confidence-building contact to fully live, game-speed tackling — with each drill reinforcing the same core fundamentals: same foot/same shoulder, near hip/near number, staying inside-out, and avoiding head-up contact.

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