Its all in your mind, man. You've been told so long to go easy, and now in an aggressive sport like Football, its a little shocking being told to knock someone to the ground. Just think, your playing on a team. Not being aggressive could lead to a defensive break or hole, and BAM. Down goes your QB, and who do you think the team will blame. Thats right. You. Football requires aggression. You need to tame it. Try and have a pre game/practice ritual, like listening to an aggressive song or thinking about something that just flat out pisses you off. Go into the game thinking your the big man, your the brick wall. Nobody will get passed you. You need to learn that football is violent. You cant be soft on these people. Even if its practice, you wont make it anywhere being soft on people. Knock em down, and knock em dead. Good luck kid.

These defensive players could be you. Sorry for the terrible song. First vid I could find. Kncok em dead.

I was told the same thing in like 5th 6th and 7th and in 8th my coaches told me to hit hard but in my mindset it was hard to migrate from Little bitch hits to hard hitting

Just hit them, screw the instinct. Do not be scared to make any contact.

Be moving fast and use your shoulder pads/helmet to hit, thats what i do im a left tackle/nose tackle

Dont try to hard.... Football is a game of fundamentals..... Just in your head pretend the QB is you mother Im pretty sure you wouldnt want your opponent knocking your mom out...

It's a game and that is your primary objective.

I played linebacker and by personal goal was to make the quarter back have a concussion by half time.

But outside the game, I am a very passive person.

You gotta go hard in the games. And you gotta keep your spot. Bro you gotta make hits