Asshat checking in here. It’s 100% great technique.
I agree. I coached for several years and come from a high school coaching family in Central NJ (father and uncle). I've never heard it referred to as "bite the ball," but we always coached putting your facemask on the ball (which sounds like exactly the same thing). If you put your facemask on the ball, it means:
1. You are not using your helmet to make contact with the body of the ball carrier,
2. You have your head up and neck is not exposed,
3. Your most likely point of contact will be your shoulder to the center mass (chest/abdomen) of the ball carrier,
4. Your legs are in a position to be what creates the force that moves the ball carrier to the ground (which means your only option is not an arm tackle), and
5. If you actually accomplish a direct hit with your facemask on the ball, you have an excellent chance of creating a fumble.
This is very good technique.
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