Get players used to changing their body position to improve ball placement after being tackled
Set out two cones, 8m apart. Put a feeder 5m back from the first cone with a pile of balls at his feet. Line your players up by the first cone.
When you say “go”, the first player comes forward and takes a pass from the feeder. You then shout out a ball placement shape – “jack knife”, “long” or “power roll”.
The player takes the pass, steps past the feeder and then goes to ground behind the rear cone to perform the required placement shape.
As soon as he is past the feeder, the next player comes forward and repeats, stepping to the other side.
Develop by having the previous placement player act as a tackler. In this case, work at 50% intensity so the players concentrate on good technique.
You will need
2 cones placed 8m apart
Lots of balls
Got more players?
You can line up as many players as you like, as long as you have enough balls.
What to tell your players
“Step hard round the feeder”
“Drop to the ground and get into position quickly”
A stationary defender will invariably lose the battle of the gain line. However, this defender can stop a powerful ball carrier who’s running directly at him by soaking up the force with a wrap tackle. Here’s how... MORE
Develop your attackers' ability to keep possession under extreme pressure in a tackle situation, and your defenders' counter -rucking skills. All this achieved in a tight area, with plenty of opportunities for immediate and delayed feedback MORE
Here is a new contact activity, and how I would introduce it to players who've not seen it before. It works on good techniques in the ruck area and decision making around the tackle. MORE
Keep your team on the front foot in the breakdown area by making sure the players use good techniques and make the right choices on which threats to deal with. MORE
Be the lowest player at the ruck to secure the ball or turnover. No one does it better than Aussie flanker, David Pocock. Here’s how to coach your players to be more effective at the contact collision. MORE