Tackling drill
The Swinger Head Reaction
Train slipping your head out of the way of a collision by moving your torso, not your neck.
- Time
- 8 minutes
- Players
- 1 to 6 players
- Intensity
- Low
- Equipment
- None
- Positions
- All positions
Setup
A tennis ball on a string hung from a branch or crossbar at head height. Stand with your nose touching the ball.
How to run it
- Set the ball swinging towards you and slip your head to either side as it arrives, alternating sides.
- The critical detail is that the movement comes from bending your knees and adjusting your upper torso, not from snapping your head sideways off your neck - snapping your head is a whiplash rehearsal, not a slip.
- Start the ball moving slowly and build speed only as your timing improves.
- Do 4 rounds of 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest.
- This builds neck strength, coordination and reaction time together.
Coaching cues
- Adjust your torso, don't move your head
- Bend the knees before you move
- Start slow and build the speed
Common mistakes
- Snapping the head sideways off the neck, which is exactly the movement that causes whiplash injury
- Moving late and taking the ball on the nose - start slow
Related drills
- Kneeling Tackle ProgressionLearn front-on and side-on tackle technique in the lowest-risk position there is.
- Power Machine Repeat TacklesHold tackle technique together when you are tired, which is when it usually falls apart.
- Side-On Grid TackleBuild the side-on tackle against a moving target with a safe reset every rep.
- Rear Tackle Chase-DownBring down a carrier from behind when you have run them down in cover.
- Tap TackleBring down a breakaway runner you cannot quite catch.
- One on Three Tackle DecisionRead late which attacker is coming and get your head on the right side, at zero speed.