Tackling

[chicago51]

One of things I look at to judge of the quality of defensive coach is how well a team tackles.

I have to say when BK took over one of the first things I notice (first Navy game aside) was that ND's tackling fundamentals were remarkably improved from the previous staff . I remember Kelly's first game against Purdue Darin Walls making a great tackle in space against a bubble screen and saying to myself that he wouldn't have made that tackle before. It hasn't always been great every game but I always that NDs tackling fundamentals were pretty solid. But since the tail end of last year starting with the Pitt game we have seen more missed tackles from ND.

I know this isn't something that is typically discussed but it is something I deal a lot with as I.have been attending a lot of clinics including one from Northwestern most recently on tackling these past few years and I have been trying to coach the coaches in our youth program on tackling better and more importantly safer. It is still very much a work in progress for our organization.

Anyway that bit about me aside I was wondering if anyone else has notice the decline in the quality of ND's tackling fundamentals and what are possible reasons for that? One thought I had was that ND who has had injuries to the secondary and thin at LB may be too afraid to do live tackling work in practice?

 

[stlnd01]

I agree with you that tackling, especially by defensive backs, has been one of the single most striking improvements under Kelly, almost from Day One. I can't say that I noticed it getting much worse later last year, aside from the championship game, which could be written off as Eddie Lacy out-athleting K. Russell.
But tackling tonight was disturbingly hit or miss. That Gallon TD in the first quarter where half the defense whiffed on him was pretty rough, for sure. A few other times we had clean shots at Gardner or his RBs and missed them. That's no good.

 

[Bluto]

Defense started to believe the hype? It's possible. Hopefully this game burst the bubble and they get back to business.

 

[NDfan12]

Bama and tonight were the first times I can of that I really shook my head at the tackling as a unit. It's terrible seeing upperclassmen miss tackles the way some guys did tonight. That Gallon TD where four guys missed him made me chug my beer; knowing it was going to be that kind of night.

 

[kmoose]

That Gallon TD where four guys missed him made me chug my beer; knowing it was going to be that kind of night.

I put that one on Bennett Jackson. He tried to go for the strip, instead of just tackling the guy.

 

[NDfan12]

I put that one on Bennett Jackson. He tried to go for the strip, instead of just tackling the guy.

That's exactly what I said before my chug. Bjax didn't look good tonight, Russell was solid for a while then fell apart. Farley too..this secondary is so frustrating at times it's amazing they play for ND, but anyways defense was playing well at that point..could have forced another FG. 6-0 is obviously better than 10-0.

 

[ARALOU]

They sure seem, (especially some of the DLine and LBs) to be a step slower than last year. Maybe Teo made that much of a difference but I just think some of the front guys are a little slower and heavier. Not out of shape maybe but bigger and slower. Maybe too much emphasis on adding bulk in training? Heck I don't know, hopefully the D improves. We need to be able to stop teams and we haven't really been able to this year.