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What is TackleBar Football?

TackleBar Football is a safer approach to the game that preserves the tradition and spirit of the sport. Players wear traditional football equipment, plus a TackleBar harness that holds two foam bars across the lower back. The defender must track and engage with proper form tackling technique while wrapping the ball carrier and ripping a bar from the harness. With this approach, players stay on their feet rather than taking the ball carrier to the ground.

How do you play TackleBar Football?

Defense:

  • Downing the Ball Carrier:
    • No tackling or throwing players to the ground.
    • No helmet initiated contact.
    • Players may never leave their feet to launch or dive into another player.
  • Defenders should track and engage with proper form tackling technique while wrapping the ball carrier and ripping a bar from the harness.
  • It is not a penalty if the ball carrier inadvertently goes to the ground during this action. However, contact that deliberately takes the ball carrier to the ground with force may be penalized.

Offense:

  • No weight restriction for RB/QB.
  • No helmet-initiated contact.
  • Players may never leave their feet to launch or dive into another player.
  • No blocking below the waist.
  • If a TackleBar or a harness falls off, the ball carrier is down at the spot.

Special Teams:

  • No Kick-offs: Ball is placed on 30-yard line.
  • Punts: No rush, ball places where caught or where the ball comes to rest.

Game Notes:

  • The TackleBar harness must be worn snug. Ensure straps are adequately tightened.
  • Excessive contact penalties (personal foul) can be called for failure to control contact and comply with these safe contact rules.

Isn’t it just like flag?

TackleBar Football is very different from flag football, because we’re still teaching tackling technique and form. TackleBar is a great transition between flag and tackle football. There is more contact than there is in flag, but it is safer contact. Players are not reaching and diving for flags that are in unnatural positions on a ball carrier’s body. They’re forced to track the ball carrier, break down and wrap up with a classic thud technique. The position of the TackleBars on a player's back teach safe, shoulder tackling technique.

How do I incorporate TackleBar Football in my league?

How do I put on my TackleBar harness?

Secure Velcro™ across the front of the body, just below the navel, ensuring the TackleBar logo is upright. Simultaneously tighten the top two straps and ensure the excess lengths are even. Repeat for bottom two straps.

TackleBar Instructions

What is Wrap and Rip?

The TackleBar harness teaches proper shoulder tackling technique and skill development. The defender must track and engage with proper form tackling technique while wrapping the ball carrier and ripping a bar from the harness. Players are able to practice proper breakdown, body positioning, and engagement. It’s a true simulation of live tackling without putting players through the wear and tear of full contact.

Wrap and Rip (pdf)

Is TackleBar Football safer than Flag Football?

We believe that TackleBar is safer then flag football. First and foremost, there is NO TACKLING. In addition, players wear protective equipment--helmets and shoulder pads. A recent study from the University of Iowa showed that flag football actually had a higher percentage of injuries than traditional tackle football.

Youth Football Injuries: A Prospective Cohort. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 2017