Go Core Athletics  /  Programs  /  Tackle Football Curriculum
Contact · Technique · Safety

Tackle Football Curriculum

Tackle football extends the Go Core football pathway into the contact game on the same Train. Test. Improve. model, but technique and safety come first, always. No athlete takes a live rep until they prove sound, heads-up form on bags.

All AgesFive Levels of ContactContact CertificationAthletic Training
Coming this Fall · 2026 Tackle Football Athletic Training Clinic Safe, heads-up contact development paired with Go Core certified athletic training. Join the interest list to be first when registration opens. Join the interest list →
Overview

The Five Levels of Contact

Every contact skill is built in stages. Athletes earn their way up the ladder; no level is skipped and live reps are coach-gated.

Level 1

Air

Movement and footwork against no opponent or bag, learn the shape of the skill.

Level 2

Bags

Technique into a held bag or shield, fit, wrap, and leverage with no live body contact.

Level 3

Control

Live opponent at a pre-set tempo, fit and squeeze, no take-downs.

Level 4

Thud

Full speed to contact, stay on feet, no players taken to the ground.

Level 5

Live

Full-speed, to-the-ground reps, coach-gated and earned only after certification.

Safety & Readiness

Standards That Come First

All medical, fitting, and concussion oversight is led by certified athletic trainer Ashlee Austin-Bean. Every athlete must demonstrate proficient heads-up form-tackle and base-block technique on bags before advancing to live reps.

Daily Check

Equipment Fitting

Helmet, shoulder pads, and mouthguard fitted and checked daily before any contact. No properly fitted gear, no participation.

Technique

Heads-Up Tackling

Shoulder-leverage tackling taught throughout, eyes up, near-foot and near-shoulder, wrap and squeeze. The head is never a contact point.

By Ashlee

Medical & Concussion

Ashlee Austin-Bean reviews every health form and supervises all contact. Any suspected head injury is removed and assessed; parents notified the same day.

Foundations

Footwork & Agility Drills

Every tackle athlete builds a base of foot speed, balance, and change of direction before contact is ever added. These drills run through every warm-up and station block, and the markers are recorded by Ashlee Austin-Bean on Day 1 and again at the end of camp.

Agility Ladder

Quick Feet Ladder

Ins and outs, lateral shuffles, and the Icky shuffle through the ladder build foot speed, rhythm, and clean ground contact.

Cone Work

Three Cone Drill

Tight turns and body lean around the L shaped cones develop the ankle and hip control needed to redirect at full speed.

Change of Direction

Pro Agility Shuttle

Sprint, plant, and redirect across the 5-10-5 shuttle to train explosive cuts and balanced deceleration.

Stance & Start

Get Off and First Step

From a two point and three point stance, fire the first step low and powerful, the foundation for blocking, rushing, and breaking on the ball.

Tackling

Breakdown and Approach

Choppy feet, balanced breakdown steps, and near foot positioning so athletes arrive under control and tackle with heads up leverage.

Coverage

Backpedal and Hip Flip

A smooth backpedal, plant, and open hip transition to drive on the ball and stay square against the run and pass.

Ages 8 to 12

Youth Clinics

Two youth clinics move from first contact on bags to controlled team reps.

Youth Clinic 1, Introduction to Tackle FootballHalf-Day · 3 Hours · Ages 8 to 12

0:00 to 0:20
Warm-Up & Movement Prep
  • Dynamic stretch, agility ladder, and body-control games
  • Coach expectations: effort, respect, and playing safe
0:20 to 0:45
Equipment & Stance
  • Helmet, shoulder-pad, and mouthguard fit check with Ashlee Austin-Bean
  • 2-point and 3-point stance, get-off, and athletic position
0:45 to 1:20
Tackling Fundamentals, Bags Only
  • Heads-up shoulder tackle: eyes up, near-foot, near-shoulder, wrap & squeeze
  • Fit-and-freeze and profile-tackle footwork into held bags
  • No live contact, technique and body position only
1:20 to 1:40
Water Break & Team Talk
  • Go Core values: teamwork, respect, effort
  • What it means to play 'safe and tough', plus icebreaker introductions
1:40 to 2:20
Ball Security & Blocking Basics
  • Ball-carrier fundamentals: high-and-tight, five points of pressure
  • Base-block hand placement and pad level on bags and sleds
2:20 to 3:00
Controlled Team Period & Celebration
  • Half-speed, coach-commanded team reps at the Control level
  • End-of-session celebration, sticker awards, and parent showcase

Youth Clinic 2, Offense, Defense & Controlled ContactFull-Day · 6 Hours · Ages 8 to 12

0:00 to 0:30
Warm-Up & Athletic Movement
  • Ladder drills, cone weaves, and directional-change exercises
  • Dynamic stretch sequence led by athletic training staff
0:30 to 1:15
Tackling Circuit, Bags to Control
  • Form fit, angle/profile tackle, and sideline tackle stations
  • Gang-tackle pursuit angles and rally-to-the-ball
  • Progress to controlled wrap on a shielded coach
1:15 to 2:00
Offensive Line & Ball Carrier
  • Drive and base blocks, hand placement, and double-team footwork
  • Running-back vision, cutback reads, and ball security
2:00 to 2:30
Lunch & Team Talk
  • Nutrition basics, fuel before and after sport
  • Goal-setting: each athlete sets one skill goal
2:30 to 3:15
Skill Positions
  • QB: snap, handoff mechanics, and drop footwork
  • WR: releases, route stems, and catching
  • DB/LB: backpedal, pursuit angles, and tackling profile
3:15 to 4:30
Controlled Team Period
  • Install run and pass concepts at the Thud level
  • Coach-directed play calling with rotating reps
4:30 to 5:30
Athletic Training, Speed & Agility
  • Acceleration mechanics, change of direction, and eccentric strength
  • Cool-down stretch and foam-rolling intro
5:30 to 6:00
Debrief & Awards
  • Coaches review athlete highlights from the day
  • Skill-award recognition and parent Q&A
Ages 8 to 12

Youth 3-Day Camp

Guarded contact progression with athletic training and a character focus each day.

Day 1
Foundations & Safe Contact
  • Check-In, Equipment Fit & Warm-Up, Team assignments, gear fitting, and a dynamic warm-up led by Ashlee Austin-Bean
  • Fundamentals Stations, Heads-up tackling form (bags), blocking and hand placement, ball security, and athletic agility
  • Position Intro & Contact Certification, Walk-through of offense and defense; athletes earn form-tackle and base-block certification before live progressions
  • Controlled Scrimmage, Thud, Coaches officiate and guide half-speed team play
  • Character & Cool-Down, Toughness with respect, trust exercises, then guided stretching and foam rolling
Day 2
Offense & Defense Deep Dive
  • Offensive Skills Clinic, Run-game blocking, RB/QB exchanges, route basics, and install of a simple youth playbook
  • Defensive Skills Clinic, Gap control, run fits, pursuit angles, and tackling progressed to the Control level
  • Scrimmage, Coach-Gated Live, First supervised live reps for certified athletes; others stay at Thud
  • Character: Resilience, How do we respond to mistakes and losing?
  • Athletic Training, Strength, Bodyweight circuit: squats, lunges, push-ups, planks
Day 3
Competition & Celebration
  • Game-Day Warm-Up & Final Install, Full team warm-up and final playbook review
  • Camp Tournament, 3-team round robin, modified rules, 20-minute games
  • Athletic, Speed Finals, Timed 40-yard dash re-tested vs. Day 1 benchmark
  • Championship Game, Top two teams, full sideline experience, families invited
  • Awards Ceremony, MVP, Most Improved, Best Teammate, and the Iron Helmet, certificates for all
Ages 13 to 17

Teen Clinics

Position mastery and competitive performance, with live reps earned through technique.

Teen Clinic 1, Position Mastery & ContactHalf-Day · 3 Hours · Ages 13 to 17

0:00 to 0:25
Athletic Warm-Up (Ashlee Austin-Bean)
  • Dynamic stretch, hip activation, lateral band walks
  • Explosive warm-up: box jumps, power skips, sprint buildups
0:25 to 1:10
Position-Specific Breakouts
  • OL: pass sets, run blocks, combo footwork
  • DL: get-off, hand work, and block destruction
  • LB/DB: zone drops, man technique, and tackling angles
  • QB/WR/RB: mechanics, releases, vision, and pass protection
1:10 to 1:40
Tackling & Leverage Lab
  • Heads-up, sideline, open-field, and gang tackling
  • Defeating blocks with pad level and leverage
1:40 to 2:20
Football IQ Session
  • Reading fronts, coverages, and blitz identification
  • Run fits, gap responsibility, and the QB decision tree
2:20 to 3:00
Competitive Period & Feedback
  • Inside-run, 1-on-1s, and 7-on-7 progressed to live (coach-gated)
  • Individual feedback on technique and decision-making

Teen Clinic 2, Competitive Scrimmage & PerformanceFull-Day · 6 Hours · Ages 13 to 17

0:00 to 0:30
Athletic Performance Warm-Up
  • Complete dynamic warm-up and activation by Ashlee Austin-Bean
  • Sprint mechanics, change-of-direction, and acceleration work
0:30 to 1:30
Offensive Systems
  • Run scheme: inside zone, outside zone, and gap concepts
  • Pass protection and route concepts packaged by formation
1:30 to 2:15
Defensive Systems
  • Fronts, Cover 2, Cover 3, and man-free concepts
  • Blitz packages and run-fit responsibilities
2:15 to 2:45
Lunch & Opponent Study
  • Coaches present a scouting report; athletes discuss the game plan
2:45 to 4:15
Full Team Period, Competitive
  • Inside run, 7-on-7, and team progressed to live (officiated)
  • Scoreboard and halftime adjustments
4:15 to 5:15
Athletic Training, Performance Block
  • Speed: resistance sled and sprint mechanics
  • Agility: combine-style short shuttle and L-drill
  • Strength: Romanian deadlifts, split squats, med-ball throws
5:15 to 6:00
Film Review & College-Prep Talk
  • NIL opportunities, highlight reels, and recruiting timelines
Ages 13 to 17

Teen 5-Day Camp

A true training camp grouped by position with a controlled contact progression.

Day 1
Evaluation & Installation
  • Check-In, Athletic Testing & Benchmarks, 40-yard dash, broad jump, and 5-10-5 shuttle recorded by Ashlee, plus position skill assessment
  • Offense Installation, Run and pass concepts across base formations: walk-through, jog-through, live-thru
  • Defense Installation, Base front and two pressure packages installed
  • Leadership Session, Self-assessment: strengths, growth areas, and goals
  • Practice Period & Athletic Training, Install material run at Thud; activation, movement quality, eccentric strength
Day 2
Offensive Mastery
  • Warm-Up & Activation, Speed and power activation with Ashlee Austin-Bean
  • Offensive Position Stations, OL run blocks and pass sets; QB drops and reads; WR/RB releases, vision, and protection
  • Red Zone & Situational Offense, Goal-line run game and a 2-minute drill with clock management
  • Team Offense vs. Defense, Inside run and team progressed to live (coach-gated)
  • Athletic Training, Upper Body & Core, Resistance-band shoulder circuit, rotational power, core
Day 3
Defensive Mastery
  • Defensive Position Stations, DL get-off and hand work; LB run fits, drops, and tackling angles; DB man and zone technique
  • Situational Defense, 3rd-and-long calls, red zone, and 2-minute scenarios
  • Team Defense, Pursuit, leverage, and tackling progressed to live (gated)
  • Athletic Training, Lower Body Power, Depth jumps, banded sprints, hip-thrust progression
Day 4
Full Competition Day
  • Controlled Scrimmage Tournament, 4-team bracket, full officiating and scoreboard
  • Championship Semifinals, Top two teams from the morning bracket advance
  • Athletic Training, Recovery & Mobility, Active recovery: yoga flow, foam rolling, dynamic stretching
Day 5
Championship & Celebration
  • Final Benchmark Testing, Re-test 40-yard dash, broad jump, and 5-10-5 vs. Day 1
  • Championship Game Prep, Opponent tendencies walkthrough and a talk from Coach Alex
  • Camp Championship Game, Full game, family spectators, sideline camera for highlights
  • Awards Ceremony, All-Camp Team, Most Improved, Camp MVP, Iron Helmet, Go Core gear for all
Ages 18+

Adult & Alumni

Sound, low-risk contact technique and conditioning built for longevity.

Adult Session, Men's League & Alumni PerformanceFull-Day · 6 Hours · Ages 18+

0:00 to 0:40
Performance Warm-Up (Ashlee Austin-Bean)
  • Full activation: banded movement, plyometric prep, sprint prep
  • Injury prevention: ankle stability and hip strengthening
0:40 to 1:30
Position Skills Refresh
  • Technique refinement by position group
  • Footwork, hand placement, and assignment review
1:30 to 2:15
Tackling & Blocking Leverage
  • Heads-up leverage and shed technique at controlled tempo
  • Longevity-focused contact, Thud emphasis, minimal live
2:15 to 3:00
Lunch & Film Study
  • Scheme install and group film on competitive play
3:00 to 4:30
Team Period, Coached Competition
  • 7-on-7 and team at Thud-Control with limited, gated live reps
  • Timeout management and situational football
4:30 to 5:30
Athletic Performance & Conditioning
  • Power: hang clean and jump variations
  • Conditioning: football-specific burst intervals
5:30 to 6:00
Recovery & Wrap-Up
  • Cool-down stretch, foam rolling, and performance-data review
Assessment

Tackle Football Benchmarks

Skill scores and athletic markers track measurable growth, with contact certification gating every live rep.

0 to 5 Scale

Skill Scores

Tackling, blocking, position technique, and football IQ, re-assessed at the end of every camp to show measurable growth.

By Ashlee

Athletic Markers

40-yard dash, broad jump, and 5-10-5 shuttle recorded by Ashlee Austin-Bean at the start and end of each camp.

Safety-Gated

Contact Certification

Every athlete earns heads-up form-tackle and base-block proficiency before live reps, a progression that is earned, not assumed.

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