Safe and effective tackles (tackles, tackles or knockdowns) are one of the most important elements of a good defense in American football, soccer and mixed martial arts. In all sports, good technique and training are required to perform a good tackle. Even a smaller athlete with the correct technique can stop a much bigger and stronger opponent. This article will tell you how to tackle safely and effectively in all three sports. Start from step 1 to find more information.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Tackling in American Football
Step 1. Use the correct technique and position for a tackle
You should keep your head up and your eyes on the ball carrier at all times when playing defense. You should keep your feet shoulder-width apart, with your knees bent and your shoulders back. Ideally, you should keep your back at a 45 ° angle from the ground.
In some cases this position is referred to as a breakdown position. When exercising, try jumping into a breakdown position and hopping with your feet, quickly shifting your weight between them, as if you were on hot coals. Stay light and mobile, and you'll be well on your way
Step 2. Close the distance between you and the ball carrier
Speed up towards him as quickly as possible, then slow down when you are about ten feet away. If you keep moving at full speed, you will find yourself out of position and the opponent will pass you smoothly. As you approach, slow down and take the breakdown position, using the side slide to make the tackle.
It will take some practice to figure out the right angle to follow. This depends on the distance between you and the ball carrier and his speed. If the ball carrier is particularly fast, follow a wide pursuit angle that allows you to stay between him and the in-goal
Step 3. Take the breakdown position and bounce on your feet to stay mobile
Bend your knees, lower your hips and keep your hands behind. Maintain a balanced center of gravity by placing your feet shoulder-width apart. Never stand still on your feet, keep moving and observe the opponent's moves.
Always keep your head up and your back straight. This position is balanced and safe. Under no circumstances should you go forward with your head down, as you would be putting yourself and the ball carrier at great risk
Step 4. Look at the hips
Ideally, you should keep your head in front of the ball carrier's body and on his way. If the ball carrier goes to your left, he should be to the right of your head when you make the tackle. Obviously it will be the other way around if it runs to your right. Look closely at the opponent's hips to get an indication of the direction he will take as you approach. A correct tackle will cause your opponent to lose balance, reducing the likelihood of him falling forward and gaining an extra yard, which can make a big difference in the event of a third down.
Step 5. Hit the opponent
When the ball carrier enters your range, push with all your strength on your feet and use your legs to counter the opponent. Bring the front shoulder towards the hips of the ball carrier. Keep pushing and loading on your feet until you bring him to the ground. Raise your knees as you push, to complete the tackle.
Step 6. Complete the action
When your shoulder strap makes contact with the ball carrier, use your arms and tighten it around your thighs. This will allow you not only to drop him, but also to lift his legs off the ground, reducing the chances of your tackle being broken. This technique also allows you to create spectacular "shots" worthy of a replay thanks to the technique alone, without having to hit with great force. Do not stop pushing until the ball carrier is on the ground and you hear the referee's whistle.
Step 7. Don't worry about getting the ball back
Good tackles come from correct technique and proper impact placement. Even though the NFL highlights are filled with aerial tackles and shots that make the ball fly out of your opponent's hands, if you always focus on this aspect, you will end up missing tackles. Stay focused on landing the ball carrier and not on retrieving the ball.
- If you are participating in a tackle, look for the ball, try to put a hand on it and tear it off in a downward and outward motion. If your teammate clearly has the tackle in hand, you can help the team by looking for the ball in that case, but not before.
- Never jump to make a tackle and never hit with your head forward. It is an illegal and extremely dangerous movement.
Method 2 of 3: Tackle in Soccer
Step 1. Go ashore only as a last resort
Sliding tackles should be a rare element of your game. A defender should only go to the ground when he has no way to defend while standing. If the attacker is overtaking you and you do not have the support of a teammate, it may be okay to go to the ground to try to stop the opponent from sliding and give the rest of the team a chance to recover. A good slip usually sends the ball out of bounds, allows you to regain control of it, or otherwise removes the threat to the defense.
If you commit a violent sliding intervention you will risk a direct red and expulsion, with the possibility of receiving disqualification and penalties from the team. Use this movement only if absolutely necessary
Step 2. Run parallel to the player in possession of the ball
The best time for a sliding tackle is when you and your opponent are running parallel, towards the ball, and you know you will lose possession if you don't act right away. If you can't get one foot on the ball while standing, and you're about to lose ground, this is the perfect time for a slide.
Never perform a sliding action from behind. Slides from the front or from behind are very dangerous and the probability of committing a foul is high. It is possible to perform these movements correctly in some situations, for example if you and the opponent are headed towards the ball that is not in possession of either of them, but it is not recommended unless you are sure you can. anticipate the other player
Step 3. Observe the ball carefully and wait for the moment it moves away from the foot
The ideal moment for a slide is immediately after a touch of the ball by the player in possession, which creates a space between the ball and the player's body. This will give you room to maneuver to insert your foot. Keep your eyes on the ball and don't look up during the slide. The purpose of a good slide is only to push the ball away.
Step 4. Control the emotions
Before you decide to go ashore, check your mood. You don't have to slide on a player, but on the ball to retrieve it. Trying to hit a player will cause you to risk a red card.
Step 5. Slip into the surgery and don't do it by jumping
Start with your dominant foot - the one you use to kick - and try to hook the ball with your leg, making contact with it first, and sliding as gently as possible to the ground, past the ball, cutting the way to yours. opponent.
- A proper slide is similar to that of baseball. You shouldn't jump into the air and fall loudly on your hips, or you risk getting hurt. Drop the shoulder closest to the ball and slide with the straight leg.
- Never slow down before going ashore. You should speed up before entering the slide, to make sure the leg continues the movement, pushing the ball away and not coming to rest on the ground.
Step 6. Make sure you catch the ball
The legality of a slide is determined solely by whether or not you hit the ball first. If you push the ball away, and then your opponent stumbles on you and falls to the ground, your action will be legal. If, on the other hand, you hit the opponent's shin first and then push the ball away, you will likely receive a yellow card, and in some cases a worse penalty.
Step 7. Protect yourself
Never slide unless you are wearing suitable shin guards. You are positioning your leg in such a way as to trip the opponent and potentially be stepped on by his cleats, so protecting yourself is essential. The shin guards are not very comfortable, but if you want to get into a slide, they are indispensable.
Method 3 of 3: Landing an Opponent in Mixed Martial Arts
Step 1. Know when takedowns are appropriate in a fight
In mixed martial arts, tackles are generally called takedowns and are used to knock down your opponent and fight on the ground. They are particularly useful when you are facing a wrestler whose strength is standing fighting, and if you are good at wrestling on the ground, or if you think you have a higher chance of winning in the wrestling on the ground.
Step 2. Use the two-legged knockdown against hard-hitting opponents while standing
The most common MMA knockdown is a two-legged knockdown, in which you bring your shoulder to your opponent's hips, grabbing both of his legs behind your knees and pulling them towards you. Many fighters lift the opponent immediately after knocking him off the ground, to make the impact more powerful. For bonus points, the fighter in the cage can use the structure to his advantage by pushing opponents against it.
- Wait for a barrage of punches to sprint to the ground and kick your legs off. Georges St. Pierre is particularly adept at waiting for his opponent to drop his guard to strike and expose himself to a knockdown.
- Wrestlers will also often use this move, but at a lower point than MMA wrestlers. From a technical point of view, wrestlers will kneel very quickly, throwing themselves towards the opponent's shins to make him fall, while an MMA fighter must defend himself from blows, and for this he is forced to stay straighter.
- In judo, the two-legged knockdown is referred to as "morote-gare", and has been considered a legal maneuver since the early 1980s.
Step 3. Use the body lock take-down if you miss a punch
Did you miss the target profusely after throwing a punch with all your strength? The good news is that you've probably got close enough to grab the body. In a body grip, you will have to wrap your arms around the opponent's waist, with your head close to his. To bring him down, bring your dominant leg behind the opponent's and rotate your shoulders to turn him and kick him off the ground.
Be prepared for a knee in the stomach or defensive elbows. This is not the most defensive position, but if you perform this move quickly enough, it can help you get out of a difficult situation, and cause a lot of damage
Step 4. Use the Half Guard Takedown Step
If your opponent is on their back in half face, the tackle pass is an excellent way to break through and get back in control of the fight. To perform the maneuver, you will need to roll your opponent using the weight of the shoulders on his hips, applying enough pressure to insert an arm under his hips and buttocks. Bring your hand under the opponent and squeeze it with the other, applying pressure and rolling him onto his back.
Step 5. Try a suplex
They are no longer reserved only for professional wrestlers. From a clinch or double hook position, a suplex can be an excellent and legal way to bring your opponent to the mat. In a suplex, you will need to squeeze your opponent's chest, from the front or back, then spin him in the air and drop him to the mat. Of course it is a much easier said than done technique, and suitable for weaker or smaller opponents, but it is part of the repertoire of some MMA fighters, such as Jon "Bones" Jones.
Practice at the gym before trying this move. Lots of practice. If you do it incorrectly, your opponent will fall on you, and you will find yourself with an angry guy sitting on your chest, ready to knock you out
Advice
- Correct positioning is your best friend. Hit the opponent in the right spot and he will go to the ground. Stay low and use explosive moves to hit the right way.
- If you are looking to tackle the quarterback, be prepared to raise your hands if he is about to throw.
- As you approach, keep your eyes on the ball carrier numbers. This will make it more difficult to fall into the feints of legs, arms or head.
- If you can, hit the quarterback during the release of the ball, because even if you fail to make a sack, you could force an incomplete pass, or rather, an interception. Just remember not to hit defenseless quarterbacks late, as you could cause injury and risk a penalty for your team.
- When performing a tackle, bring your shoulder forward, not your head. Otherwise you risk injury and even death. Also remember to always keep your head up and your neck straight.
- If the runner is close to the sideline, don't waste energy trying to get him to the ground. Instead, push him off the pitch.
