Any time you turn on an NFL broadcast, you will hear at least a couple of linebackers and defensive backs labeled things such as “a sound tackler,” “a strong finisher,” “a hard hitter,” “a guy who always finds the football,” and so on.
What exactly are the nuanced traits that go into earning these labels?
In my view, there are five key facets of the tackling process that occur throughout a defender’s journey from his initial position to the football.
1. Recognition and break speed
The first step of the process is setting a course for the ball-carrier as quickly as possible.