Poor tackling can ruin a good high school football team. Every practice, in countless drills, coaches seek to eliminate bad habits. While big airborne hits thrill crowds and energize teams, coaches say fundamentally sound tackles stop ball carriers, win games and prevent injuries. Below, the members of the Cary defense attempt to tackle Fuquay-Varina running back Josh Quinn on Friday at Cary. The Imps show the necessary desire to bring down Quinn; but tackling, executed right or wrong, is never easy.

s a strong safety for Fuquay-Varina High School, Tom Minor is responsible for stopping an offensive opponent who breaks free into the secondary.

He is one of the best tacklers on the Bengals' varsity football team. At 5 feet 8 and 155 pounds, he is muscular and fundamentally sound, known for wrapping up players and slamming them to the ground.

Except for that game against Garner last year.

Minor left his feet to deliver a big hit, but the running back bounced off him and ran for a touchdown. Embarrassed, Minor watched from a bed of grass.

"It's my job to bring him down, and I screwed up," Minor said. "But the play got called back for a penalty. So I got lucky."

The lesson learned?

"Don't leave my feet," he said.

That is one of many lessons high school football coaches want players to heed when it comes to tackling.

Some coaches in the Triangle say they spend a great deal of practice time reminding players about the fundamentals of tackling : Keep your eyes on the ball, never lead with your head, keep your feet moving, wrap up your opponent.

"That's what football is: blocking and tackling," Northern Durham coach Paul Rodio said. "You have to teach it."

From the time a player joins Pop Warner or middle school football, he hears coaches preaching about tackling. "Head up, butt down" is a favorite phrase, as is, "See what you hit."

Coaches' reminders come as frequently as water breaks, yet it is still common to see arm-tackles and reckless, diving attempts. That's because many players love to make the big, pad-popping hit.

Durham Hillside senior Greg Little said some players are trying to make a name for themselves when they go for the big hit.

"It is kind of more fun to make the big hit," he said. "But when it comes down to game time, you probably want to use form-tackling."

Players see college and professional highlights and sometimes want to emulate the ferocious hits that make teammates hoot and holler on the sidelines. Those types of plays can change the momentum of a game.

On the other hand, if incorrectly delivered, big hits are potentially dangerous, a factor that make many players, coaches and parents nervous. They also can lead to missed tackles.

Bunn senior Kerry Neal admits to the temptation of a big hit. Recently, against Southern Nash, he rushed in, forgetting to slow his feet, and the quarterback threw a move on him. Neal slipped and missed.

Neal, a defensive end who has verbally committed to play for Notre Dame next season, said he has seen other players ignore tackling fundamentals in order to make the big hit.

"You can break your neck doing stuff like that," he said. "I see guys running and diving at the ball carrier with their head down, trying to deliver that big hit, but they're going to hurt themselves."

N.C. High School Athletic Association assistant executive director Mark Dreibelbis said it is illegal for football players to lead with face masks or the top of helmets. Spearing, a blow delivered with the head, is also illegal.

Dreibelbis said these infractions open players to the risk of serious neck injuries.

That is why coaches like Apex's Bob Wolfe require players to participate in tackling drills once or twice a week.

Wolfe acknowledged that quality running backs and receivers can make great tacklers miss. But more often than not, he said, proper technique will stop a ball carrier. He teaches players that the ball is always the point of attack and that they should keep their eyes on it.

He also stresses staying under control and keeping their feet under them.

"If you leave your feet, you have no power," Wolfe said.

Fuquay defensive coordinator Ryan Habich said many players shy away from close contact, which leads to errors.

To avoid arm-tackles and flailing heads, he teaches players to put their heads across the opponent's body, to "club" upward with their arms, hands above their eyes, and to bring hips in close. Then the tackler should grab the jersey and pull down.

"The whole point with tackling is getting the guy to the ground," Habich said. "If you make a big hit and the guy is still running, that's no good."

Habich said technique is a lost art. In a game, he said he may see Fuquay players make 15 correct tackles -- an improvement over last year.

Fuquay coach Dave Riggs, who played defense for North Carolina in the late 60's, said he emphasizes correcting errors through film study and practice when players are tired. He said tackling comes down to proper technique and desire.

Riggs would like for his team to gang-tackle better.

"The best football teams, it spreads through the whole bunch," Riggs said.

His message has inspired Fuquay nose guard Derrick Redman, who said a simple tackle in the trenches can be as fulfilling as a flying one on the sidelines.

"When I hit the guy and he goes for no yards, it's a great feeling," he said. "I can't explain."