Chad Wilson
August 21, 2025
When people talk about defensive backs, the conversation almost always leans toward coverage ability, ball skills, or raw speed. What often gets overlooked, however, is tackling. For DBs, tackling isn’t just about making the hit — it’s about angles. The wrong angle can turn a routine five-yard gain into a touchdown. The right angle, on the other hand, erases explosive plays and proves to coaches that you can be trusted.
Angles matter even more for defensive backs because you usually start the play ten to fifteen yards away from the ball. That distance means you’re often arriving late to the play and don’t always have the clearest picture of the ball carrier’s path. More importantly, you’re often the last line of defense. A linebacker can miss and still have help behind him. If a DB misses because of a bad angle, it usually results in points for the offense.
There are several tackling situations that DBs face, and each one requires precision with angles. The open-field tackle is the one-on-one matchup most players fear. When a wide receiver catches a hitch or a running back bounces outside, it’s you against him. If you come in too fast and too high, he’ll cut underneath you and you’ll be left out of position. The correct approach is to close ground quickly but under control, then break down a few yards away so you can react to his move while staying square.
The alley tackle is another important situation, especially for safeties and nickels. If you aim directly at the ball carrier, you’ll almost always give him the edge. The proper angle is inside-out, forcing him back toward your help defenders who are chasing the play. That way, even if you miss, you’ve done your job by funneling the ball carrier into the pursuit.
Sideline pursuit is another angle DBs must master. When the ball bounces wide, you can’t take a straight line to the runner or you’ll get outrun. Instead, you have to run to a spot ahead of the ball carrier and cut him off. By doing this, the sideline becomes your ally. It acts as a twelfth defender, leaving the runner with fewer escape routes and forcing him into your tackle or into pursuit help.
Improving tackling angles comes down to control and leverage. You can’t sprint full speed blindly at the ball. As you close in, you must break down, shorten your stride, and keep your feet active so you’re ready to adjust. Your head and shoulders must be in front of the ball carrier, not trailing behind him. If you’re the force player, you must maintain outside leverage and keep your outside arm free. And above all, you have to trust that the rest of the defense is running to the football. Taking poor angles for the sake of making a highlight hit often does more harm than good.
To sharpen tackling angles, there are several effective drills:
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Angle Tackle Drill: Start ten yards away at a 45-degree angle while the ball carrier runs downhill. Work inside-out and strike through the hip.
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Sideline Leverage Drill: Have the ball carrier run along the sideline while the DB tracks from depth. The DB must cut off the angle before the sideline closes.
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Mirror and Breakdown Drill: The DB closes space on a stationary target, then mirrors the target’s side-to-side movements before finishing the tackle under control.
Coverage will always attract the spotlight, but coaches value DBs who can be counted on to make tackles. If you consistently miss because of poor angles, you won’t stay on the field. If you consistently show sound angles and finish plays, coaches will trust you in big moments. Mastering tackling angles prevents touchdowns, builds trust with your teammates, and sets you apart as a complete defensive back.
Coaching Takeaway
Tackling angles are a difference-maker for DBs. Close space under control, use inside-out leverage in the alley, and run to a spot instead of chasing directly to the ball. Rep it in practice with angle and sideline drills until it becomes second nature.
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Chad Wilson is the owner of All Eyes DB Camp and author of "101 DB Tips". He played college football at the University of Miami and briefly in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks. Over his 15 year high school football coaching career, he tutored over a dozen Division I defensive backs and as a trainer has worked with NFL All Pros, first round draft picks, college football All Americans and Top 10 ranked high school football prospects.
