Lifecycle of the tackle
in Defence
There is a lifecycle to a tackle that starts with the contact point and ends when the ball is either recycled or turned over. Concentrate on this philosophy to improve tackle outcomes. MORE
Get ready to blitz
Players need to position themselves outside their intended target to make sure they come from out to in on the “blitz”. This session works on alignment to blitz as pairs and threes and then how backs and forwards connect in defence.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-8
What to think about
The most important elements of the session for me are:
- Work to get to the outside shoulder of the attacker you are marking.
- Move up to gain ground and move from out to in.
- Inside leg inside shoulder tackle.
- Always leave the outside attacker. When these situations are put into a full defensive blitz chain he will be taken care of by the extra defenders.
- Don’t get flat footed or planted – keep moving forward.
Set-up
- Position yourself quickly on the outside of the player you are marking.
- Come forward fast.
- Outside players look out for attackers coming into the line.
What you get your players to do
Set up three attackers and a feeder in a 10m square divided into four, with one attacker in each box and an attacker behind them. Put a defender on the inside corner of each box (see picture 1).
When you say:”GO”, the defenders run to the other corner before the ball is then released to the attackers. Defenders cut down the space for attackers who aim to get the ball to the spare player. Use touch tackling with two hands on the chest of the ball carrier.
Two defenders running to the corner of the box and set to come from out to in to prevent the attack from scoring.
Development
Increase the playing area to 15m x 10m, add another box, defender and attacker (see picture 2).
Play as before and concentrate on the wider blitz.
Add another box, defender and attacker to work on a wider blitz.
Game situation
Put three defending forwards on one side of the area and three defending backs on the other side. Put a feeder by one side with five attackers in the front line and two behind (see picture 3).
Defenders run around to form a line. Attackers aim for the “hinge” where the backs and forwards are supposed to connect. The defence aims to blitz the attack.
Where three backs (B) and three forwards (F) work as a defence to come into the line and blitz the seven attackers (A) and feeder (9). The attack should aim to exploit the “hinge” between the backs and forwards.
What to call out
- “Set yourself outside so you can see the attacker and where the ball is coming from”
- “Call when you are ready and call when you go forward”
