Give me your observations

[NND Sports Fan]

This might be the wrong board to post this on, but I watch priamarily Class 1 football so why not? Here are two of my observations from the past couple seasons:
1. Offensive line stances are pretty bad. Even in a 2 point stance I see kids not aligned correctly with their feet and shoulders. If you are in a 3-point stance you should be aligned as if you are coming out of the blocks for the 100 meters. At least that's the way I was taught way back when.
2. Proper Tacklng is becoming a lost art. I've seen so much high tackling, trying to take a back/receiver down by the shoulders. Or it's the collision shot that typically doesn't pay off. Pads pop, yet the offensive player bounces off and gains more yardage.
Maybe I'm being too extreme, but these two things aggravate me like someone misreading an Edgar Allan Poe poem

 

[obguthr]

I played DB, so I'm more familiar with tackling than blocking. You are absolutely right about point 2. Tackling technique gets worse every year at all levels, including pros. It has become my pet peeve. Successful teams need not have the best talent if they can master these two basic skills.

 

[falcettik]

This might be the wrong board to post this on, but I watch priamarily Class 1 football so why not? Here are two of my observations from the past couple seasons:
1. Offensive line stances are pretty bad. Even in a 2 point stance I see kids not aligned correctly with their feet and shoulders. If you are in a 3-point stance you should be aligned as if you are coming out of the blocks for the 100 meters. At least that's the way I was taught way back when.
2. Proper Tacklng is becoming a lost art. I've seen so much high tackling, trying to take a back/receiver down by the shoulders. Or it's the collision shot that typically doesn't pay off. Pads pop, yet the offensive player bounces off and gains more yardage.
Maybe I'm being too extreme, but these two things aggravate me like someone misreading an Edgar Allan Poe poem

I also agree on the level and form of tackling decreasing. I watch almost exclusively D6 and the same issue is prevalent there. Too many times a player will be almost straight up and try to reach with his arms. I know there has been a lot said and done about heads up tackling to prevent injuries, but the ability to tackle has dropped and seeing a player who is a good open field tackler is becoming rare.

 

[RobberBrown]

Class 1 football teams struggle with tackling for several reasons. 1-VHSL has limited the amount of time you are able to practice "live" hitting. 2-at the class 1 level most teams are 1 or 2 guys away from being pretty good to being pretty bad; so do you risk a lot of "live" drills at practice. 3-The only way to improve tackling and actually learn the correct way is through "live" action yet most practice using tackle wheels, popsicles, or standup bags....which obviously isn't like live action. I kind of get it at the Class 1 level; however I think your point could be made across all levels of football College and NFL included. College I don't understand as they have 100s of players, NFL I think its a "business decision." Lastly, all the "highlights" you see from games across all levels are the "knockout" hits that are usually high and hard....not a proper form tackle....aka its not "cool"

I think you can contribute poor blocking to just the overall lack of teaching and preparation. Most coaches focus on the "play" in terms of getting the athletes the ball, not actually blocking for the athletes. Also, so many teams are running spread and basically just teaching kids to mirror the guy across the line and give the QB 3 or 4 seconds....not really firing off, engaging, and working your hips and feet. Lastly, finding a quality Offensive Line coach is hard; take Galax for example, why were they so good for several years....Mark Dixon who played OL in the NFL coached his OL; yes they had athletes but where they separated themselves from others was the offensive line play. He turned average HS kids into technically sound offensive lineman. The head coach (theoretically the most knowledgeable coach) spent his time working with the OL; most head coaches work with WR, RB, and QBs.

 

[Reecesdad]

1. The biggest problem with linemen at the 1A level that I have observed is really a strength issue in the lower body. These kids simply don't get in the weight room enough and do enough squats, deadlifts, cleans, etc. They literally lack the strength and stamina to consistently put a hand in the ground and bend their knees enough to get their asses lower than their shoulders.

2. I think poor tackling at 1A level is mostly due to the numbers game, and the smaller the school the worse it is. Coaches are having a hard enough time keeping enough players healthy for game day. Full contact with tackling at practice is just too much of a risk and almost has to be avoided. About the best you're going to get is drills with dummies and donuts, and that's just not enough to coach em up to be good form tacklers.

I agree with RobberBrown on the coaching aspect too. Most head coaches are working with the "skill positions" and play calling. The line coach tends to leave alot to be desired. Fundamental and basic blocking techniques, angles, and concepts seem to be a mystery and I suspect Youtube is "teaching" a wide swath of these O-line coaches.

 

[Optimal62]

I agree with rhe tackling - although with stances of the lineman it depends. If you are referring to O lineman then it will vary on the blocking schemes they use. If there is a lot of lateral movement a more squared feet apaproach is warranted