Block tackle technique (safe tackling)
Partners practise the block tackle slowly: strong standing leg, inside of the foot through the middle of the ball. Safe technique so young players tackle with confidence.
Your assistant coach: turn this drill into a full session, plan the weeks around it and tell me how it went.
Set-up
- Pairs facing each other with a ball between them.
- Start static and slow.
Equipment: Balls
How it works
- Both players put the inside of their foot on the ball at the same time, slowly.
- Progress: one player dribbles slowly at the other, who block-tackles.
- Build to walking pace, then jogging.
Coaching points
- Weight over the ball, knee bent.
- Strike through the middle of the ball with the inside of the foot.
- Stay on your feet: never slide in from behind.
Add this drill to a session plan โ
Make it easier
- Static only
Make it harder
- Light jogging pace 1v1
AttackersDefendersKeeper / neutral- - โ Passโ Runใฐโ Dribble
Free AI coaching help from Gafferbook. Ask anything about coaching your team.
More defending drills
1v1 defending: show them outside
The defender passes to the attacker, closes them down and shows them towards the touchline, away from goal. Teaches the approach, the side-on stance and patience.
See the drill โ2v2 cover and balance
Two defenders against two attackers. One presses the ball, the other covers behind at an angle, and they swap jobs every time the ball moves.
See the drill โBack line shifting with the ball
Four (or three) defenders stay connected and shift across as the attackers move the ball across the pitch, before the attackers try to play through. Works for a back four or a back three.
See the drill โDefending crosses in the box
Wide players cross from both sides while two or three defenders and the keeper deal with two attackers in the box. Teaches body position, marking and clearing wide.
See the drill โRecovery runs: get goal-side
The attacker gets a head start and the defender must recover goal-side before they can shoot. Teaches the sprint back that turns a chance into a tackle.
See the drill โJockeying in pairs
The attacker dribbles slowly from side to side down a channel and the defender jockeys backwards, staying side-on and close. Builds the footwork for 1v1 defending without the pressure of a tackle.
See the drill โ