Our marked improvement tackling the ball carrier

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

I just came across this article and it got me wondering if this is something Grinch installed:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...gby-style-tackle-is-changing-college-football

I'll be paying more attention to the tackling from here on out, but the technique is night and day better than last year.

 

[kayak15]

Thanks, BC&G. A really informative article which I recommend others read. An excellent 20 minute video with Pete Carroll explaining the rugby-style tackling process the Seahawks have been utilizing. Like BC&G I will be paying more attention to tackling technique in the future. I would imagine that those of you who read the article and view the video will too.

 

[Cougsocal]

I just came across this article and it got me wondering if this is something Grinch installed:

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefoo...gby-style-tackle-is-changing-college-football

I'll be paying more attention to the tackling from here on out, but the technique is night and day better than last year.

Whether it is safer, only time will tell. But as football becomes more wide open and more spread out like rugby, wrapping up becomes more and more important. While trying to blow the ball carrier up isnever taught with head in front tackling, it is a very real tendency associated with this technique. When you try to blow the ball carrier up, two bad things can happen, the bounce off or the missed tackle because your are coming in too hot and can't adjust to the moves of the ball carrier. The downside of head behind tackling is that you give up yardage from the forward lean to get to the legs and roll. In rugby (union) that's no big deal, but in American football it can be huge at times. But as college football becomes more and more a contain and prevent the big play game, stopping the extra yard isn't as important as it used to be.

As for the Cougs, it is my impression, big hits are down as are missed tackles. But I'm not sure that is the result of technique, or our speed increase and size reduction.