Fulton head football coach Pat Kelley rolled out what looked like a giant blue doughnut at Fulton's practice field on Tuesday.
One Hornets player tackled it and gave it back to Kelley. He rolled it out again, and another Fulton player took it down.
"I wish I would have thought of this 20 years ago," Kelley said as another Fulton player performed a tackle.
The Hornets just received the blue "tackling ring" Tuesday in order to help them practice proper tackling form.
"It's a new toy we picked up," Kelley said. "We were fortunate enough that we got a grant from the NFL. Part of that was used to buy equipment like this."
Because of its ring design, players have to wrap up the edges of the ring to perform a tackle. Kelley said one of the benefits to having tackling rings is not having to worry about accidental player injuries during drills.
"These take wear and tear off the body. We aren't hitting each other nearly as much, and they teach great form," Kelley said. "It teaches them to get their heads in front; it teaches them to get their head up. You're able to do all of those things without hitting each other."
Players were already responding well to the new equipment.
"They like it, it's something new and different," Kelley added. "It's something that you can go all out on and not beat up on your own teammate."
He expressed his gratitude for receiving the equipment.
"We really are fortunate to be able to have them and we thank the NFL," he said. "They're good for us to have."
