The role of the tackler at the breakdown is vital, and it is changing. The new interpretation for 2010 means referees will be red hot on whether: i) the tackler has released the ball carrier, and ii) the next defender in has given the ball carrier a chance to play the ball. This session develops the players’ understanding of the new requirements.

Warm up time: 5-7
Session time: 8-10
Development time: 8-10
Game time: 15-20
Warm down time: 5-7

What to think about

Laws reminder: A player on his feet who brings a player carrying the ball to ground is not a tackler. However, this player has completed a tackle. A tackler must release the tackled player. The tackled player must pass or release the ball by putting it on the ground in any direction, or by pushing it along the ground. However, if opposition players who are on their feet attempt to play the ball, the tackled player must release the ball. Players arriving at a tackle may play the ball providing they are on their feet. Players who were attached to the player who is tackled, and who remain on their feet, must release the player and the ball and then may play the ball in accordance with Law15.6 (b).

set-up

1. Know the Laws at the tackle.
2. Make sure you can show the referee you have released the tackled player before you attempt to play the ball.

What you get your players to do

Set out a box as the middle picture, with two defenders against one attacker and three numbered cones. Shout out a cone. The attacker has to run into the box at that cone to score at the far end. The defenders have to make the tackle and recover the ball. Referee strictly. Develop this by adding another attacker who starts 10m away from the box.