Four low-impact tackling ideas for return to play

With the contact rugby not far away, you will be planning some form of tackling practice to fit into your training sessions.

In these unusual times, you might find yourself almost reteaching tackling for some players. Even for more experienced players, they will need time to rediscover the safe, efficient and effective techniques and skills.

To start with, you might consider a Scaffolding approach to tackling. Based on the work of Nick Hart, I show you how to build support around players as they can learn or revise tackling so they can become confident and competent.

Later on in the training cycle you can use the ideas from this piece: Tackling and offloading: Multi-focus games-led session for younger players. The session can easily be adapted for older, more experienced players who are returning to the game.

And here are two sessions to mix into your training as the players become confident:

• Box bumps tackling, a low impact and fun exercise, which focuses on head position.
• Quick reaction tackling, which focuses on footwork to get into the best position to tackle.

Quick reaction tackling

in Rugby drills, Tackling

If the tackler can get in front of the ball carrier just before the tackle, it’s easier to make shoulder contact. Young players in particular will benefit from this skill. This session develops simple defensive tracking skills so the defender gets in front of the attacker to make a two-handed touch. If they can do this, they should be in a good position to make a full tackle. MORE

Tackling and offloading: Multi-focus games-led session for younger players

in Contact, Defence, Passing & Handling

Use this session to develop two core skills for players so they have a chance to practise and nail one key factor for each. MORE

Scaffolding approach to tackling

in Rugby drills, Tackling

Inspired by the work of Nick Hart, a headteacher and author of the blog,Thisismyclassroom, here is a “scaffolding” approach to teaching tackling. Scaffolding is where you build support around a task as it is introduced and built up. You then take away the scaffolding as the player becomes confident and competent. It was first coined... MORE

Box bumps tackling

in Tackling

Encourage good head position and leg drive in this fun exercise in tackling. It’s low impact and ideal for building confidence with your players. MORE