Bad NFL tackling? It's because they don't practice

[November 04, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ever wonder why there are so many missed tackles in the NFL? Maybe it's because the players don't practice it much.

Concerns about injuries have all but eliminated live tackling drills for most teams. All of the other basic skills are practiced at training camp, such as passing, catching, kicking and blocking. But tackling is usually reserved for occasional goal line drills or scrimmages.

Players try to make up for it by working with tackling dummies. During running or passing drills, defenders will get right up to a ball carrier and hit the brakes.

Coaches say the lack of practice is evident during the regular season, but there's little they can do about it because they don't want to lose a star player to a tackling drill.

[Associated Press; By JOSEPH WHITE]

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