LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – One of the staples of Steelers training camps from Chuck Noll to Mike Tomlin, albeit more reduced due to NFL rules, was live tackling periods. New Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said there will be NO live tackling during these few weeks in Latrobe.
“Tackling is a good way to go, they've done it,” McCarthy said, admitting he used to have live tackling at his camps. “But I feel like we'll be able to get it done in other ways of training.”
The 18-year NFL coach believes there are other ways to improve tackling that doesn’t involve hitting. McCarthy said there needs to be less stress on the body, so they emphasize footwork. He said your feet have everything to do with tackling, along with blocking and ball security.
Mike Tomlin ran one of the more physical camps allowed year-in and year-out. How often did his players miss tackles?
Bottom line, McCarthy’s philosophy is to limit injuries.
“You try to reduce risk, so we will not live-tackle,” McCarthy said. “We will have goal line, but we won't live-tackle.”
Injuries are a concern, McCarthy says other ways to teach it
Injuries are a concern, McCarthy says other ways to teach it
