Tackling

[ndn78]

Due to work I have not been able attend any practices or read the forum so forgive me if this has been addressed.

I have been told there is minimal contact and tackling during practice, is this true and if so why? I know some coaches read the board so along with fans please respond.

Something I have noticed at the games over the last few years is that very few players are willing to sacrifice their bodies to make contact. I know they all work and play hard but I do not see the willingness to sacrifice their bodies to inflict punishment on a regular basis. I don't know if it is being coached or the players are making the choice but in all the games I have seen many plays where one of our defensive players has had the chance to de-cleat a player but choose to sling them down or in many cases not make the tackle by trying to arm tackle.

I don't know if it's a change in philosophy or attitude but from my junior high days through high school in the 70's we were taught and enjoyed inflicting as much pain on an opposing player as possible. I'm not talking about trying to injure someone but when you had the chance you sacrificed causing pain to yourself to make sure the opposing player thought twice the next time he got the ball.

Maybe times have changed but I just don't see that effort anymore.

Go NDN's!

 

[pngfan66]

Well I would say you need to attend a practice. Coach Cox and all the D coaches work hard with the players on proper tackling techniques. They go thru alot of drills on tackling. They work hard with them on setting up to tackle and how to tackle the most effective way. Go to a BC meeting and watch the film. There are alot of great tackles being made. In the heat of the game, we as fans don't always see them. They are caught on film and shown in the meetings. The D goes threw numerous tackling stations in practice and do have full contact tackling drills. I do think they go about 75% on live tackling drills. My thoughts of reason is to avoid injuries. I personally seen a great improvement in the tackling between the Crosby and TC game. There are several players who I feel like to fly around the field and lay the wood. If we had game footage you could watch and see. I'm sure the D coaches are and will continue to work hard with the D on tackling.

 

[Layingemdown]

Did you notice the offense got better over the last few years too? Unfortunately, I see your point week in and out for the last few years. I think the problem is in the type of offense that we run. Our D practices against a spread attack, in which they are not exposed to the trenches often. Also, it is a very complex offense that requires a lot of time practicing. Thus, this will take time away from special teams and defense. If you look across the board, most spread teams do not have a real good defense. IMO, it is because they practice against a spread offense. So, when the likes of Livingston roll into town, they never stop rolling.....left, right, and up the middle. It is what it is. However, I too share your frustrations in the poor tackling. I credit at least 50% of Faircloths losses to it. Its very frustrating to have to be able to put up 40+ points to win a game come playoff time, and sometimes during the regular season. Doesnt look like it changed this year.

 

[ndn78]

fan66 I agree with what you have said, as I stated just seems even prior to Faircloth the amount of guys on D willing to make big hits has decreased. There or 4 or 5 but you need 11. Just don't see the Domino's, Gholke's, Brack's, Webber's, Randy Johnson and numerous others from other generations that would clean your clock every chance they had. Like I said when you have an open shot on an opposing player you give it up to make sure he thinks twice next time. Big difference in going over technique vs full contact. I was on the dumby squad for a year and paid my dues letting the starters beat the heck out us to keep them hungry. Guess times have changed.

Go PNG!

 

[1989NDN]

I don't care if we win 2-0 or 50-48...a W is a W. You don't get extra Ws in the record books for playing great defense. And, if a team plays great defense and still loses 3-0, 7-6, 22-19, 14-13, then it is still a loss. All that matters is that PN-G makes enough plays on offense, defense, and special teams to get the W.

State champions over the past 20 years in 4A and 5A football have thrown the ball and played well enough on defense to win. Stephenville, SLC, Ennis, LaMarque, Highland Park, Westlake, Lake Travis, and the list goes on and on. PN-G will never have a student body population of 3,000+ kids ala Katy, Plano, Euless Trinity, etc. where the Indians will just physically out-talent other teams. Spread the field, make teams defend the whole field, teach some kids to go make plays, and tell your defense to play its rear-end off for 4-quarters. If we take care of what we can control, our kids will continue to rack up wins. We just need 11 kids on defense to run to the ball, hit'em hard and wrap up...hang on...and take that opponent to the ground.

Have faith...we are 2-points away from being 3-0 on the 2011 season. You will see continued improvement over the course of this season...similar to what was seen last year...we will peak at the right time. Stack the line of scrimmage and make Livingston throw the ball. I bet we battle, fight, scratch, kick, and brawl in a close game...and I'll take a 3-0 W or a 49-48 W...I dont care, just find a way to win. When the UIL starts awarding "extras" for great defense, I'll change my opinion...until then, just win Indians. And, dear Lord, let us keep Coach Faircloth.

P.S. Nothing wrong with our fans wanting to see a PN-G defense ala 1974-1977...I'm all for it...but, I'm not greedy...I'll take what the 2011 Indians give me. Good topic. Hopefully, we'll see a scrappy bunch of fired up Indians hit, hit some more, wrap up, and create some take-aways. Good topic/discussion.

Go Indians. Peace.

 

[NDN79]

+1 ....... good post!!

 

[ndn78]

All good points 1989NDN. I agree get the W no matter what the score. My sore spot with tackling is at all levels from high school to NFL. You had Hall Of Famer Dion who made buisness dicisions then you had the Butkus, 85 Bears etc. Nothing fires up a team like a hard hit. I have spent some time with Faircloth and believe my it always ends with don't leave. Good post.

Go PNG!

 

[ingainerYYZ]

EXCELLENT post 1989ndn.

 

[Justafan]

Whats up with only practicing in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets? Back in the day when I play played we suited out full pads most of the week and went full contact.

 

[Layingemdown]

89,

I'm not sayin that a W isnt a W. I'll take one of those everytime also. And, I'm not saying it is absolutely terrible to have an average to sub average defense. Just giving my thoughts as to why it is that way, with the offense being so technical and all. I believe our offense is one of the better offenses in the state of TX, and just wish we had a D to go with it. You cant have it all though huh? If Faircloth ever has a class, like that of 99, that is loaded with athletes, we will be very very hard to beat. Two years ago, the Indians shut down Livingston at their stadium, so hopefully we can replicate that and not last year. I wont be able to attend the game this week, but will be listening. Ya'll go pull them through for us that cant make it.

 

[pngfan66]

Whats up with only practicing in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets? Back in the day when I play played we suited out full pads most of the week and went full contact.

They were a padded girdle under the shorts. Only thing missing is the knee pads.

 

[bark]

It's all different now days.

I graduated on the '75&'76 teams and we never went on the field without helmets on. Our water breaks were once during practice -1/2 way thru and it was a styrofom cup of slime (gator aid was not on the market then).

We hit the cage and sled like there was no tomorrow. I don't know if they even use them anymore.

The extent of Mr. Findley's rehab was put ice on it.

 

[nissanindian]

These days good old day Guys there not the same anymore I mean there are always new ways to do things the old way are not always the best and the new way is not always the best lets just watch football and know that those kids are putting up 115% everytime they put on that uniform

 

[pngfan66]

It's all different now days.

I graduated on the '75&'76 teams and we never went on the field without helmets on. Our water breaks were once during practice -1/2 way thru and it was a styrofom cup of slime (gator aid was not on the market then).

We hit the cage and sled like there was no tomorrow. I don't know if they even use them anymore.

The extent of Mr. Findley's rehab was put ice on it.

Things have changed. The UIL now has requirements and protocols to work by. Water has to be available for at will usage by players, I don't think they provide gatorade during practice. They still use sleds etc... They have 3 or 4 of em they use on a daily basis. I would have to say that, YES, things have changed. They are looking out for the players safety and their well being. The old days are gone, we just have to accept what is happening now and support the team. I think they are doing fine and are in great condition.

 

[bark]

It's all different now days.

I graduated on the '75&'76 teams and we never went on the field without helmets on. Our water breaks were once during practice -1/2 way thru and it was a styrofom cup of slime (gator aid was not on the market then).

We hit the cage and sled like there was no tomorrow. I don't know if they even use them anymore.

The extent of Mr. Findley's rehab was put ice on it.

Things have changed. The UIL now has requirements and protocols to work by. Water has to be available for at will usage by players, I don't think they provide gatorade during practice. They still use sleds etc... They have 3 or 4 of em they use on a daily basis. I would have to say that, YES, things have changed. They are looking out for the players safety and their well being. The old days are gone, we just have to accept what is happening now and support the team. I think they are doing fine and are in great condition.

I agree, the new standards are great for saftey. I was trying to point out that the game has changed too, which is why the old techniques are out dated. For instance OL were in 4 point stance - no way in todays game that would work, especally left tackle pass protection.

 

[ndn78]

Player safety is first and foremost and some changes are for the better but no reason to not put helmet in the chest and drive them in the ground instead of reaching or throwing down when you have the chance.

Go PNG!

 

[bark]

Player safety is first and foremost and some changes are for the better but no reason to not put helmet in the chest and drive them in the ground instead of reaching or throwing down when you have the chance.

Go PNG!
[/quote]
Coach Tim Nunez called that an ole' - like a matador in a bull fight.

 

[pngfan66]

I watched alittle of the practice yesterday. The D had some very long practice sessions tackling. They are working them hard on drills. I have faith in the coaches and players. Something that needed to be ironed out and worked on. They are doing it and working on it very hard. Coaches don't seem to have let up at all in this bye week. Boys are practicing hard and making each day count. They want it bad and want to beat Livingston ! Go NDN'S !!!!

 

[Justafan]

At times I think we over contain (over pursuit) and when a fast RB cuts back we cannot recover quickly enough.

Also last week I saw when the LB stood the RB up everyone else just stopped and the RB broke loose for long runs. We need to better gang tackle.