Designing Tackling Systems – Case 4: Reinforcing Multiple Defender Leverage Points on Ball Carrier

By Mike Kuchar
Senior Research Manager
X&O Labs
Twitter: @MikekKuchar

Explanation

Most commonly referred to as “losing the cup” losing multiple defender leverage points on a ball carrier are another common issue in tackling. What should usually result in an immediate tackling situation can turn into a substantial gain if one or more of those defenders lose leverage. While this all may depend on coverage structure, it’s essential that defenders know and understand which responsibility they have in each run situation.

It was Rutgers University head coach Chris Ash that told us he studied film on how tackles were made, not missed, before developing his system. Below is a tutorial from Northern State University on what it calls “Vice” tackle, where three defenders converge on a ball carrier.