How to Play Nose Tackle
Coach Mack's emphasis on defense, and particularly nose tackle, isn't surprising.
I was blessed to play linebacker at Albany State University back in the day, and even more blessed to have a stellar career in the Arena Football League, where I was moved to center/nose, back in the day when the league required that we play both ways.
Nosetackle is arguably the most important defensive position in Americanfootball.
Team sports are all about sacrificing for the good of theoverall team's goals, and nose tackle exemplifies this notion perfectly.
Instructions
Difficulty: Challenging
Step1
Possess the correct body type. A nose tackle must be large. Typically,the nose tackle plays against players who weigh at least 250 pounds atthe high school level, and 350 pounds or more on the professionallevel. While not an absolute, it helps the nose tackle to be shorter(6'4" and below) than an average defensive linemen. The nose tackleuses leverage to play the position and the taller a player is, theharder it is to get leverage on an opponent.
Step2
Be a selfless individual. The nose tackle's primary job is to containblockers so other members of the defense can make plays. If a playerhas too big of an ego, he may want the glory of the big play forhimself. Nose tackles seldom get the opportunity to make the big play.
Step3
Have the ability to rapidly identify blocking schemes. A play takesseconds to develop and the nose tackle must recognize his assignmentand move immediately. Any hesitation can result undermine a play.
Step4
Know the tendencies of the opposing offense. If a nose tackle canrecognize what play is coming, based on formation or initial movementof the offensive line, he can thwart the play before it begins. Knowingtendencies requires long hours of studying film of the opposing team.
Step5
Learn not only your nose tackle responsibilities, but the otherdefensive players as well. The defense in American football is oftenreferred to as a unit, and this unit functions best when every playerknows the defensive responsibilities on a given play.
