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When you see the defender running at you and you know you have to get the first down, what do you do? Break the tackle, that's what.
Steps
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1Know your opponent well enough to anticipate his strength and the tackling technique.
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2If you are going to get hit in the upper chest, push your opponent off with a stiff arm or simply duck down and get your center of gravity lower.Advertisement
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3If you are getting hit stomach and waist level, it is best to keep your feet moving. Do not stop running. It is best to try to get to where you need to go. If you feel that your legs are getting tangled up and you can't keep moving, then you are in a tight spot but not helpless. You need to focus your energy on staying up. Don't let the defender pull you down. Then you should work on pulling your legs out from his grasp.If you can keep your legs moving you will stand a much better chance of breaking that tackle.
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4When trying to just avoid a defender, do not juke around too much! It will only slow your speed and make you more vulnerable to get tackled. You should juke with your upper body but keep your legs moving.
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5If you are breaking down the sideline and you see a defender coming from the side, keep running but be ready to make the first move. When you see him get close enough but not too close, make a small juke with your shoulders to try to get him to slow down and wait for you. Then bolt into the open field right as this pause happens; usually he will be caught off guard.
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6Stay moving. If you can't break the tackle and you are locked up, then it's time to give up. Trying to stay up in this situation makes you prone to injury and to fumble the ball.
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7Keep your hips bent, but not too much. Also keep your shoulders diagonal a bit, but not too much so that your head isn't looking straight. Being able to look across the field easily is important.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionAs a wideout, should you fall to the ground if you catch the ball?
DonaganTop AnswererWideouts typically run after the catch. -
QuestionWhat should I do if I am a small guy and there is a strong and tall guy on me in man to man?
SirHelpAlotCommunity AnswerTry to use your speed. When working on conditioning, do speed drills, also hit the gym and be a small but buff guy. I have seen many bulky small players who learn how to completely overcome their height. -
QuestionI'm tall and skinny, but I feel as if I am able to truck someone. What if i just juke instead?
Community AnswerIf you think you can handle it, bash them in. If not juke or stiff-arm. But if you can't at first work at it until you can.
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Warnings
- Keep your head up. Going head down may break your neck.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- While trying to break tackles you are more prone to fumbling, so be sure to cover up the ball well.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you are super small, then trying to do a power move to break tackles is probably a very bad idea. Be more elusive.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Stopping completely is risky (not injury-wise, but game wise.) It might get your coach mad, and if the defender isn't fooled, you'll get hit hard.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- You can injure yourself by breaking tackles, so be careful. If you bend or fight too much and get hit, you can have broken bones or you can blow out your knee. Know your limit.⧼thumbs_response⧽
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