Tackle space is important in the modern game

When attacking teams lose a lot of ball in the tackle area, it crushes momentum and players fear being creative and probably kick more than they would in normal circumstances.

Whether you think that’s down to referee interpretation or poor skills, it certainly highlights the need for attackers to engage properly after the tackle and clear out the threats. But we are going to concentrate here on the other side of the ball. That is, the role of the second defender at the tackle area.

The attacking problem often occurs because of a proactive defender more than lazy attackers. We have a solution to that attacking problem on page 7. And you can read more about the theory in the article below.

Proactive second defender

I’m sure we could come up with a good name for the second defender. Possibly we could call them “jackler 2”. But, for me, it’s not an automatic contest. It’s a decision when to go in, and went to leave alone.

That’s why they are proactive. They aim to cause the most damage based on the situation, not just go for the ball.

They have a menu of choices to work to after a tackle is made:

• No attacker nearby: go through the tackle gate and pick up the ball.
• An attacker close by but not over the ball: clamp on the ball, lifting if possible, but making it clear to the referee that they are legal.
• A 50:50 with an attacker: based on relative sizes, either drive over the ball or force the attacker to protect the ball.
• Less than 50:50: threaten but don’t enter the contest, and then push out into the defensive line.

The best turnover players bide their time. They do this by not committing to one ruck, looking at the possible points of the next attack and arriving as that tackle is made.

Training to be proactive

In training, it’s hard sometimes to replicate the full speed of the game, so we should create scenarios where the second defender can choose to enter the contest.

Once the choice is made, it is important that they commit to that decision. Their mindset should be to own the space over the ball. In that sense, they must be strong, with a wide base. They need to enter the space with a wide stance, ready to move forward to meet an oncoming attacker, rather than flopping over the ball.

You can work on the exact movements in slow motion first, so the players have a sense of the right techniques. Then you can increase the pressure. 

Use the exercise on page 4 to work on these techniques.