Atavus Tacklytics

Just another group looking for someone to throw money their way... This time next year, they will be analyzing the "culture of your program." For a fee.
You're a coach. Analyze your teams tackling! Don't pay some knuckleheads to do that!

This is the key for all analytics. Capturing and analyzing data is one thing. Coming up with an action plan is another.

I sat through a Tacklytics presentation and it's pretty awesome because they will break down drills to do weekly by position based on the results of your tackling in a game.

With that said, you're essentially paying a lot of money to someone for something you can do. It's akin to Hudl Assist on steroids. Pretty soon, other coaches will be grading your film too.

Especially since, for a high percentage of missed tackles, the reason is "Bad football player". 

Hudl Assist fills a real need, especially for a smaller staff with a lot of non-faculty coaches. This tackling thing looks like an off-season project that you could do at your own pace. 

At least you would have data to back up benching Johnny when mom calls the AD and Super...

I don't know. I preface this saying I have never used Hudl asst, but from reading about it here, I think it is taking away learning opps for coaches.    

In my post I was referring more to the "N-zone" or "TFS" type of systems, or maybe to some degree the R4 gameplanning.   I understand it is a matter of perspective, but some of these things seem like  staff is outsourcing coaching duties.  This Altavus tackling thing DEFINITELY seems like that is the case.   If I were an admin or board member, I could easily see myself asking the coachign staff "If we are purchasing this, what do we need YOU for?  Someone call  Karen  from HR and tell her to grab a clipboard and a whistle" 

Never said I was going to use it. I had just received numerous sales pitch emails and was curious if anyone had actually done this.

There's a slippery slope argument to be made here. I agree that generally speaking analyzing why you aren't tackling well and finding ways to fix it is the job of the staff.

But like coachd5085 pointed out, what about TFS, or R4, or the air raid certification? What about the program paying for coaches to go to clinics? What about the program paying for installation books or DVDs? One could make the same logical argument that everything included in those materials should also be the responsibility of the staff to figure out on their own.

So my take is that I'm not going to pay for another company to analyze my film and give me drills, but I'm also not going to call for the job of somebody that does.

I actually work for Atavus and am a Head Coach / DC. I took the job because I have used Atavus for a few years as a HC and really like the service. When Pete Carroll created those Hawk Tackle videos, he worked with the Atavus people to create the techniques (sidenote: the "Hawk Roll" or Roll Tackle is not endorsed by Atavus; a Roll might happen but is not a technique to be practiced)

Here's a quick overview of Atavus because there are a few layers to it...

First - they teach a shoulder-led tackling system and there are online resources to get your whole staff trained. A bunch of drills, education, practice progression templates, etc. One of the main benefits is getting your whole staff trained in the same tackling system and speaking the same language. Some programs have this already down, but some don't.

Second - They do certification for coaches. All HS coaches in Texas are required to get certified through Atavus. Plenty of other states use it as well. Similar to USA Heads-Up Football, but it is a much better training program.

Third - Practice Planning and Review: For coaching staff's that work with Atavus, they work with the coaches and create for them a progression for planning Spring Ball or Fall Camp. The staff's send in video of their practice film drills and give feedback.

Fourth - In-Season: On saturday mornings, teams send in their film from the Friday game, and the Atavus staff breaks down every tackle and creates a report for problem areas, what needs to be improved, and a practice plan for drills for the next week; along with 10 to 15 cut ups from the game to show the players.

It not so much about hiring a genius company that has learned the secret to tackling... it's more like adding a staff member to soley focus on tackling, with a lot of resources and expertise in analyzing tackling.

On that note, let me know if you're interested in learning more! I would be happy to walk you or your staff through a presentation on a video call. Message me if interested.

Or let me know if you have any other questions.

This is not a slam on this service. In fact, it sounds cool. Impressive even.

Doesn’t everyone watch the previous game film with your team? Wouldn’t you address all this during film review?

Also, I have said this elsewhere on this site, “tackling” is actually the least important part of tackling. Of course technique needs to be taught for safety reasons and to help you tackle better. But, run fits, gap integrity, block destruction, leverage, strength/speed training, are all more important to be a great tackling team than the actual skill of “tackling”.

Totally agree... Closing Space, Leverage, etc are all part of it (and obviously understanding the scheme and how you fit). One of the most helpful pieces for me has been emphasizing the technique right before contact. Using a proper power step, etc to maximize power and control. I really like their drills they have to teach it.