Michigan Football Series: Safeties Technique & Tackling System

with Chris Partridge,
University of Michigan Linebackers Coach in 2023;
Ole Miss Co-Defensive Coordinator from 2020 to 2023;
University of Michigan Safeties Coach/Special Teams Coordinator/Linebackers from 2016 to 2019;
2016 Scout.com National Recruiter of the Year;
2017 247Sports National Recruiter of the Year;
Paramus Catholic High School (NJ) Head Coach from 2010 to 2014;
while there, the Partridge-coached program went from a football high school program rank of 4,250th nationally to #4 nationally (USA Today)

This video featuring the former Michigan Safeties Coach Chris Partridge will help you learn the Michigan philosophy for playing safety and all the drill work that contributes to athletes developing into top-tier college players. In addition to safety-specific drills, Coach Partridge also includes a breakdown of Michigan's tackling manual, which is their go-to set of rules for tackling.

Safety Drills

Partridge covers four dynamic agility drills that teach defenders how to move and flip their hips in every conceivable direction. Two break drills that teach safeties how to break downhill and adjust to different angles by the ball carrier are included, as well as 13 pass break drill that allow defensive backs to gain confidence on any route they need to defend. You'll also get six drills that work on ball hawking skills and eight block destruction concepts.

Tackling Manual

Next, Coach Partridge covers the Michigan tackling manual. He wants his players to "learn to play on the very edge of being out of control." He believes each player should understand who they are athletically in order to put themselves into proper strike position.

You'll learn about:

• The Approach Phase - Aggressively tracking the ball and understanding the relationship between your momentum and the ball carrier's path.
• The Contact Phase - Using "quartering" and the "power foot" in every tackle by maintaining leverage and compressing to the ball carrier's near hip as you stay square.
• The Finish Phase - Includes contact with near foot, near shoulder with a body-to-body collision in which you wrap, squeeze and "drive for 5".

Partridge uses both practice and game film to demonstrate each type of tackle that is discussed, including:

• Hawk Tackle
• Roll Tackle
• Body to Body
• Sweep Tackle

Players must understand the proper tackle technique and angle in every single drill, every single day.

If you're seeking a no-filler, drills-heavy video that hits on safeties and tackling, this presentation from Coach Partridge will be a great asset to your football team!

57 minutes. 2019.