SBF: The Science Behind Tackles

Welcome to SBF (Science Behind Football), where AnythingNFL's gonna teach you the science behind tackles, the most common method to bring someone down. Basically, when star linebacker Ray Lewis chases a running back on a break away and brings him down to the turf, while it may not look pretty, he's employing some elegant and precise laws of physics.

How can linebackers like Lewis bring tough running backs like Marshawn Lynch or Mike Gillislee down? Well, they apply momentum (mass times velocity), and when applied, it exceeds the mass and velocity of the running back. In other words, Ray Lewis can hit a guy hard -- like really hard.

Now, if a linebacker like Lewis is hitting hard, wouldn't he experience SOME of the impact? He will. But, referring to the common tip of football: keeping your body low but head up while tackling, this is just a pure examples of physics in play. By keeping your feet planted, your body low, and your head up, a player can direct where the impact goes on the guy being tackled. With this, you can still hit the guy hard but direct most of the impact the tackler is receiving towards your equipment or even better, the ground.