Bounce tackling

The front on tackle can be a powerful, aggressive tackle if your players can get their body shapes right. This session makes use of the “shorten-stretch-cycle” for activating the muscles. A very quick dip before the tackle creates a greater force than just a normal up-and-drive. Look for a bend in the knees and hips.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 5-7
Development time: 5-7
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

What is the best footwork and approach for front on tackling? The key approach for an effective front on tackle is to get marginally side on. That means the tackler is coming in from a slight angle. The feet are likely to be slightly offset, but with the tackler on his toes. He then dips at the knees and hips very quickly before exploding forward. The timing needs to be developed, hence the first few minutes of the session should be taken very slowly. Don’t worry about extending this time to get better results in the long run.

set-up

1. Get square, but just to the side of the tackle target.
2. Dip quickly before driving up and through the ball carrier.
3. Grab, hold and drive.

What you get your players to do

Split into groups of three, with one player holding a tackle pad. One of the non-pad holders stands 1 metre from the pad, steps towards it, dips and hits up. Rotate the players, with the player not working watching for the key factors: quick dip, head jammed into the side, leg drive and grab.