How to Hit Harder in Tackle Football

Last Updated: September 20, 2020 Approved

When trying to tackle harder, it comes down to fundamentals. Tackling has very little to do with body weight. If you use your speed properly, perfect your body posture, and explode into your opponent correctly, you’ll be tackling harder in no time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Perfecting Your Body Posture

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Get your feet in the right spot. Your feet should be shoulder width apart and underneath your hips. Your weight should be on your toes, and you should be ready to move.^{[1]
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Squeeze your shoulder blades. Squeezing your shoulder blades together and down will create tension in the upper back. This will keep your back flat and aligned to help prevent any back injuries.
3
Load your body weight. Sink your body down using your leg and core muscles so that your knees are bent and waist is lowered, and you are ready to explode. As you sink your body weight down, be sure to keep the tension in your upper back. You want to be in a 45 degree lean at this point.^{[2]
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- Keeping your eyes on your opponents armpit is another good way to keep your back in the right position to prevent injury.
4
Ready your hands. Putting your hands in front of you will ensure that you’re ready to move. It helps you focus on what’s in front of you and helps keep your weight forward.
5
Use leverage. Having this body posture will only help you hit harder if you’re in the correct positioning when your near your opponent. You want to be right on him, as though you’re stepping on his feet, when you are preparing to tackle him. Take his next step away from him.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Using Speed

1
Activate your arms. Use your arms for power by swinging them opposite of your legs. Each time you step with your left leg, your right arm should come through powerfully. Then, your right arm should swing back as your left arm moves forward with your right leg. The motor of your shoulder will help pick your legs up and down. Be aggressive with your arms.^{[3]
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Have high knees. If you activate your arms, it will help you drive your knees up. When running, your knee should come up to propel you forward, and then your foot should land directly beneath your body. This will help engage your hips and make you run faster toward your opponent. Your hips will roll through like an elastic band if you enact your shoulders and legs in your run.
3
Run full speed the entire time. The most common problem among players is that they let up before impact. This slow down makes for less hitting power. You want to cut your last step in half, but keep it as powerful and fast as the previous steps. This half step will allow you to align your body weight over your hips and help you hit harder.

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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Exploding Into the Tackle

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Use your whole body. Drive your entire body into your opponent. You do this by driving your hips forward through your shoulders for ultimate power. Driving your shoulder through them. This gives you the force to drive your opponent backwards, regardless of their size.
- Remember to hit low. This will help knock them out of balance. They will wave you off easily if you go in high. Your shoulder should hit in the number area of your opponent’s jersey.^{[4]
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2
Wrap around your opponent. Shoot your hands up and grab your opponent. Make sure not to grab them by only their jersey or you’ll be called for a penalty. Do not stop your feet to wrap your arms around them: it should be one fluid movement. Lock your arms around his body; if you cannot lock your arms, grab as much of his padding as you can.^{[5]
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3
Create rotation. This ultimately helps override any of the force that your opponent has. The rotation is what will give you the advantage, even if you’re a smaller person. Use your right or left foot to push off as hard and as fast as you can to create this rotation. If you use your right foot, you’ll drive your opponent in a counter-clockwise motion: if you use your left foot, your opponent will rotate in a clockwise motion. This will create “rise” through the ball carrier.^{[6]
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- A stronger lower body will help you take down your opponent with more force. Doing heavy lifts such as squats, deadlifts, thrusters, and hang cleans will increase your lower body strength.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I get used to taking hard hits?

Community Answer

It's important to remember that it's not the size of the dog that wins the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog. Even if you're not the biggest or strongest, showing a determination to never quit will show everyone that you're confident and strong enough to take the tackles. Over time, your body itself will adjust to the pain of being tackled.
Question

How do I run somebody over?

Community Answer

Work on your size/mass, use effort and leg drive, keep yourself balanced, timing, and using center of gravity.
Question

How do I tackle and not get scared?

SirHelpAlot

Community Answer

Lower yourself and explode toward the player. By lowering yourself, you can resist more impact and are less likely to get trucked - hence, the fear is gone.
Question

How can I drastically improve my speed?

Community Answer

Work on your legs a lot. Go for jogs and stretch; over time, your speed will improve. Use a treadmill often.
Question

What other exercises can I do to make my lower body stronger?

JACOB MOHNEN

Community Answer

Squats, deadlifts, wall sits and plyometric box jumps.
Question

How do I overcome the fear or stop slowing down when tackling?

Community Answer

Personally, because I play football as a defensive lineman, I don't think about the bad things that could happen I just try my hardest to get the tackle as I know my coaches will be proud of me. Try doing the same.
Question

How can I hit someone 10 times my size?

Community Answer

Go for the waist or legs, but accept your limitations. If someone is that much larger than you, you're not always going to get an effective tackle.
Question

I'm a 13-year-old girl, 5'10, I have abs and I can run fast. Am I strong enough to play football?

Community Answer

There are good and bad football players who are fat, skinny, tall, short, strong, weak, fast, and slow. Especially if you're playing in a boys league, you need a good mindset. With some practice, you should be fine!
Question

How can I get better in hitting and gain more speed?

Community Answer

Keep practicing and working with your coach to improve your skills.
Question

I'm a girl and I want to play football. Should I?

Community Answer

If you want to, and you think you'd be good at it, go for it! All it takes is hard work and practice.

Warnings

If you hit with your head down, you can severely injure your spine. Be sure to keep your head up. Avoid ramming or spearing your opponent with the top of your helmet, as that could cause neck injuries or concussions.

Thanks!
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