Winning the ball on your feet — the block tackle, poke and interception
25 drillsMeet the ball firmly through the middle with a locked ankle, staying balanced. The honest, fundament...
Jab the ball away with the toe while jockeying, without overcommitting. The low-risk way to nick pos...
Stay patient and on your toes, only tackling when the touch is heavy. Teaches the timing that makes ...
Run alongside and use a shoulder, then step in to win the ball fairly. Teaches the legal side-on cha...
In a small box, the defender block-tackles the instant the ball is exposed. Reps the clean front tac...
Win the tackle and come away with the ball under control. Turns the tackle into the start of possess...
A live 1v1 where the defender must time a standing tackle against a skilful attacker. The realistic ...
Read a pass and step in to intercept rather than tackle. Teaches winning the ball before it even arr...
Recover goal-side, then make a fair standing tackle from the right angle. Combines the sprint back w...
Defend a dribbler in a narrow channel, using the lines to limit their options. Builds tackling with ...
Practise tackling off either foot so you're never one-sided. Builds a balanced, adaptable tackler....
Delay the attacker until support arrives, then commit to the tackle together. Teaches patience plus ...
Win the ball and immediately find a teammate with a pass. Links defending to the first pass of an at...
As the last defender, time a standing tackle without diving in, with a keeper behind. High-stakes de...
A rondo where the middle player must win the ball with a clean standing tackle in time. Builds urgen...
Win the ball as the attacker tries to turn, catching them at their most vulnerable. Teaches reading ...
Show the attacker one way, then win the ball when they commit to that side. Combines body angle with...
Time the tackle to arrive as a player receives with their back to you. Teaches winning the ball at t...
A 2v2 starting with a loose ball; the first clean tackle wins it for the counter. Trains tackling in...
Hold your ground and tackle as the attacker tries a step-over or feint. Teaches not buying the fake....
After winning the tackle, the team springs a fast break. Links defending to instant attacking transi...
A 1v1 where you score only by winning a clean standing tackle and stopping the ball on a line. Focus...
Hold off tackling as long as possible, only striking on the perfect moment. Teaches discipline over ...
Defend a 2v1 by delaying and tackling only the right moment to avoid being beaten. Decision under ov...
Two players repeatedly contest a ball with block tackles, learning to be first and strongest. Builds...