KIRLAV: MORE TACKLING
April 20, 2011 11:27 AM | General
For old-timers like Bill Kirelawich, a good football practice is when his guys leave the field bloodied and muddied. But today, with scholarship and personnel limitations, he believes certain fundamental parts of the game are suffering – namely tackling.
Tackling is the one skill that sets football apart from other sports, and Kirelawich has noticed a dramatic decline in tackling in recent years. It’s a trend coaches are seeing nationwide.
“You’re afraid of getting guys hurt, and if I was an offensive guy I would be afraid of getting a guy hurt, but I’m not, I’m a defensive guy and I’m afraid of all those missed tackles we’re having,” Kirelawich said.
The veteran defensive line coach says there is only one way to get better at it.
“It’s the same way you become a better golfer or a better pool player – you do it more,” he explained. “I think we’re a lousy tackling team. I don’t think we do enough tackling in practice. We are in full pads today telling kids to stay up.
“By this time we should be much, much, much better tacklers than we are and we’re not,” he added. “And when I say tackling I mean tackling in space. I’m not talking about tackling a guy by falling in front of him in a phone booth.”
Kirelawich would like his guys to see more traditional looks to help them get a sampling of what they will encounter next fall. He believes that would help players such as Bruce Irvin make the transition from a third-down pass rusher into an every-down player much easier.
“I’m concerned about not getting enough powers; I’m concerned about not getting enough isos and not getting enough split-zones,” he said. “Now, he’s getting about a third of what he needs to make the transition. Do you know when he’s going to get the other two-thirds? When LSU marches in here.”
As for his lineup, Kirelawich said he doesn’t have to make a decision on his top three guys until early in September when West Virginia opens with Marshall.
“Doc (Holliday) will find out who is No. 1 when you do,” he said. “I don’t have to have a first-team or second-team because we’re not playing. Let them live in doubt over the summer and let them figure it out. All I need to know who one and who two is by Marshall.”
Tackling is the one skill that sets football apart from other sports, and Kirelawich has noticed a dramatic decline in tackling in recent years. It’s a trend coaches are seeing nationwide.
“You’re afraid of getting guys hurt, and if I was an offensive guy I would be afraid of getting a guy hurt, but I’m not, I’m a defensive guy and I’m afraid of all those missed tackles we’re having,” Kirelawich said.
The veteran defensive line coach says there is only one way to get better at it.
“It’s the same way you become a better golfer or a better pool player – you do it more,” he explained. “I think we’re a lousy tackling team. I don’t think we do enough tackling in practice. We are in full pads today telling kids to stay up.
“By this time we should be much, much, much better tacklers than we are and we’re not,” he added. “And when I say tackling I mean tackling in space. I’m not talking about tackling a guy by falling in front of him in a phone booth.”
Kirelawich would like his guys to see more traditional looks to help them get a sampling of what they will encounter next fall. He believes that would help players such as Bruce Irvin make the transition from a third-down pass rusher into an every-down player much easier.
“I’m concerned about not getting enough powers; I’m concerned about not getting enough isos and not getting enough split-zones,” he said. “Now, he’s getting about a third of what he needs to make the transition. Do you know when he’s going to get the other two-thirds? When LSU marches in here.”
As for his lineup, Kirelawich said he doesn’t have to make a decision on his top three guys until early in September when West Virginia opens with Marshall.
“Doc (Holliday) will find out who is No. 1 when you do,” he said. “I don’t have to have a first-team or second-team because we’re not playing. Let them live in doubt over the summer and let them figure it out. All I need to know who one and who two is by Marshall.”
Alumni Series | Violet Hewett
Friday, May 01
SWIM: What it Means to Represent West Virginia
Wednesday, April 29
SWIM: What it Means to Become a Mountaineer
Wednesday, April 29
Gold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
