Tackling Fundamentals and Techniques (Art & Science of Coaching)

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: I got the book and returned it the next day. The page numbering was off and thus the diagram's were off.

Almost as bad was the content. No drills were much different that you'd get off numerous websites and the position specific drills were not that helpful.

I am not an expert but I get tired of coaches overemphasizing the practice of "grabbing cloth". I agree that once you get a shoulder into the ball carrier and your arms around him, that it makes good sense to grab something so he won't get loose (jersey, belt, pad). The problem is I've seen too many tacklers rely on "grabbing cloth" before they have a good hold of the runner. It becomes a crutch much like teaching offensive lineman to hold. I also think it makes players more suceptable to arm tackling. I'd much rather teach the players to tackle properly and then grab something to ensure the ball carrier doesn't escape. I'd also rather the tackler utilize the practice of sliding down on the carrier....meaning that if your tackle grip starts to slip, that you maintain shoulder/upper arm contact and slide your arms to grasp the ball carriers legs (or one leg if need be). Runners are much more likely to drag you holding on to their jersey than if you are holding their leg(s) because they know they are "sitting ducks" for the pursuit. The key to tackling to me is getting the runner's weight off balance.

Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected
Review: I got the book and returned it the next day. The page numbering was off and thus the diagram's were off.

Almost as bad was the content. No drills were much different that you'd get off numerous websites and the position specific drills were not that helpful.

I am not an expert but I get tired of coaches overemphasizing the practice of "grabbing cloth". I agree that once you get a shoulder into the ball carrier and your arms around him, that it makes good sense to grab something so he won't get loose (jersey, belt, pad). The problem is I've seen too many tacklers rely on "grabbing cloth" before they have a good hold of the runner. It becomes a crutch much like teaching offensive lineman to hold. I also think it makes players more suceptable to arm tackling. I'd much rather teach the players to tackle properly and then grab something to ensure the ball carrier doesn't escape. I'd also rather the tackler utilize the practice of sliding down on the carrier....meaning that if your tackle grip starts to slip, that you maintain shoulder/upper arm contact and slide your arms to grasp the ball carriers legs (or one leg if need be). Runners are much more likely to drag you holding on to their jersey than if you are holding their leg(s) because they know they are "sitting ducks" for the pursuit. The key to tackling to me is getting the runner's weight off balance.

Rating:
Summary: Could be Better
Review: I would expect better on the subject tho. Being a coach in Europe and seeing that the tackling is one of the most important problems with the players and the local coaches here, the books name attracted me a lot but I was pretty dissappointed after reading it.

Very thin book, does not cover the subject really. The pictures are huge, and the quality of printing did not satisfy me at all. The comments are not clear, sometimes confusing.

But still, it covers some useful drills and good advices. Since it is one of the very few books on this specific subject, might be enough for anyone who wants to get some basic information on the tackling fundamentals and/or how to make the tackling practices. But just the basics!