Even the top teams recognise that they don’t practise side on tackling enough. In this session you can also challenge the players to think of their finishing position first and then work backwards to see why the side on tackle is so effective in winning turnover ball.
Even the top teams recognise that they don’t practise side on tackling enough. In this session you can also challenge the players to think of their finishing position first and then work backwards to see why the side on tackle is so effective in winning turnover ball.
Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 10-15
Development time: 10-15
Game time: 12-15
Warm down time: 5-7
What to think about
My players have been picking up more bumps and bruises from tackling in training and games than normal. What is wrong and what can I do?The main cause of injury when tackling is poor technique. Primarily the tackler is not getting close enough to the ball carrier and is making arm tackles not shoulder tackles.Work on the players’ footwork in defence, keeping their feet close together and staying on the balls of their feet. This will allow them to get closer to the target and make the hit with the shoulder rather than the arm.
set-up
Use your feet to get close to the ball carrier so you are not having to reach.
Make a band round their thighs with your arms (“ring of steel”).
Drive through the tackle with your legs.
What you get your players to do
Before you start, walk through the correct technique emphasising the safety point of keeping the head behind the ball carrier. (See the “Technique” picture opposite.)
The tackler starts the main exercise by passing to the attacking player. This attacking player then runs to score in the “scoring zone”. The tackler must get across to make a side on tackle before the try is scored. (See the “Side Impact” picture.)
You can set up three or four work stations next to each other so players work harder.
The tackler keeps his head behind the ball carrier, hitting their hips with his shoulder.
Development
Add a support player and another defender. The ball carrier can now offload after the tackle and the second defender has to make the next tackle. He can only move once the first tackle has been made.
Related Files
Core-108-side-impact.pdfPDF, 326 KB
The tackler throws the ball to the attacking player, then tackles them before they score.
Game situation
Four attackers start along the side of a square with four defenders at one corner. The defenders must decide among themselves who is going to tackle who. On “GO” the attackers try to score on the opposite side of the square, the defenders try to stop the attack.
Encourage the defenders to communicate when their man has passed the ball.
Change the sides regularly so players tackle with both shoulders.
The tacklers must nominate who they are going to tackle before the game starts.
Dan is a practising RFU Level 3 coach and coach educator. He coaches with the Bristol Bears DPP programme, is the assistant coach with University of Bristol Women's team and is a coach mentor for Broad Plain RFC mini and juniors section.
He was Head Coach of Swansea Schools U15 and has previously held coaching roles with the Young Ospreys Academy and as Assistant Coach with the Wales Women's Team for the 2010 World Cup. He was director of rugby for Cranleigh School, Surrey. P...
Register now to get a free eBook worth £10
Get this brilliant ebook worth £10 for FREE when you register now
The fly half (10) has a controlling position to launch his team away from the opposition and into open spaces. He needs to be comfortable ...
Newsletter Sign Up
Join over 75k coaches that are saving time searching for fresh coaching ideas with our free email newsletter: ✔ New drills ✔ New games ✔ New warm-ups. Delivered direct to your email inbox
"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"
Paul Butler, Florida, USA
"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."
Rick Shields, Springboro, USA
"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."
Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada
"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."
Subscribe Today
Since 2006, we’ve helped tens of thousands of coaches just like you build strong teams and deliver effective and inspiring training sessions, week-in, week-out.
Discover the simple way to become a more effective, more successful soccer coach. ALL the support you need to become a great Youth Soccer coach: ✓ Proven, practical coaching advice
✓ Hundreds of ready-to-use drills and full-session practice plans
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Rugby Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
Rugby Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use rugby drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of rugby coaching since we launched in 2005, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.
Part of Green Star Media Ltd. Company number: 3008779
We use cookies so we can provide you with the best online experience. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click on the banner to find out more.