A behavioral intervention for teaching tackling skills to high school football athletes.

Two varsity football players needed safer tackling. The coach broke the tackle into small steps. Each step got praise when done right.

The study ran during regular practice. Coaches used a checklist. They praised correct form and ignored unsafe moves.

Both players learned the safe tackle fast. Their form stayed good in real games. No extra practice was needed.

The gains held all season. Coaches saw fewer unsafe hits on Friday nights.

Sorrell et al. (2025) used the same coaching steps but on Zoom. They trained teachers to run behavior tests. The method worked even through a screen.

Allen et al. (2016) moved the coaching into a video game. Teachers practiced with virtual students. Their real classrooms got calmer.

Pascale et al. (2025) swapped the football field for a prison. They used the same reward idea. Inmate violence dropped sharply.

Rubow et al. (2018) used a team game instead of one-on-one praise. Both cut bad behavior in school. The game just reached to do it with a group.

You can teach any motor skill this way. Break it down. Praise each step. The skill sticks under pressure. Try it with tying shoes, using a fork, or dribbling a ball.