No Live Tackling: Mike McCarthy Confirms Major Change To Steelers Training Camp - Steelers Depot

Under Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers training camps were known for their intense physicality and “live” tackling sessions, players going to the ground like in a real game. That’s no more under Mike McCarthy. Speaking to reporters Tuesday morning, McCarthy confirmed the team won’t go “live” during any portion of camp. “We won’t do live tackling,” he said via the team’s YouTube channel. “I’ve done live tackling in the past…every drill’s been evaluated. There’s a GPS component behind everything we do. There’s more stress that we need to apply to our training situations than just going to the ground. The footwork is the priority. It will always be about the feet in everything we do whether that’s tackling, blocking, ball security. It tracks with our article earlier this month of Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys reporters and analysts noting McCarthy that did little to no live tackling following the 2011 CBA that eliminated two-a-day practices. Avoiding injury is the biggest reason for teams being more conservative with its practice plan and is top of mind for McCarthy’s rationale. “Injuries are part of the game,” he said. “And I think you clearly, you gotta do the best you can, and it’s a judgment, to try and reduce risk. We will not live tackle.” McCarthy noted that the Steelers will have a goal-line drill but that won’t be “live.” Mike Tomlin had a different viewpoint. He routinely spoke of “spar before boxing” and the need to hone tackling technique not just through “thud” wrap ups but by going to the ground. Almost every day the Steelers were in pads, the team held at least one “live” session. It was usually the second 11 v 11 session. His goal line sessions were also full-contact. “We will definitely save that for the preseason games,” McCarthy said of tackling. Live tackling didn’t help the team get runners down last season. Pittsburgh finished among the league’s worst offenders in missed tackles last season. Pro Football Reference charted the unit with 126 misses, third-worst in the NFL. Likewise, Tomlin’s camps didn’t seem to carry a higher injury rate compared to those that didn’t have “live” periods. McCarthy’s approach is common around the league. Most teams don’t tackle. The Steelers now join that group and given the trends of the league, it seems doubtful Pittsburgh will ever return to what had been its norm.