Thunderbird Tackling Technique: Bellevue West K-Drill
Bellevue West Thunderbirds' kickers and punters are gearing up for another dominant season, and head coach Aaron Scheidt is emphasizing proper tackling technique to improve their overall game performance. The K-drill, a staple of the Thunderbirds' summer camp, is designed to enhance the kicking unit's ability to tackle and secure the ball in traffic. The drill consists of 3 sets of 10 reps: (1) Kicker/punter approaches a blocking sled with a defender, (2) Kicker/punter wraps arms around the defender and drives through the tackle, and (3) Kicker/punter secures the ball and falls to the ground. Coaching cues include 'drive through the ball' and 'secure the catch.' This drill translates to game performance by teaching kickers/punters to stay focused and physical in high-pressure situations, ultimately leading to more effective special teams play.