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Rugby drill for jackknife control of the ball

by Dan Cottrell in Contact

The jack knife technique is especially useful when the ball carrier has become isolated and is waiting for support. Because the referee can see the ball carrier is making a positive movement to keep the ball alive, it is likely that he (the ball carrier) will be able to control the ball for a few extra seconds on the ground.

The technique

  • The tackled player twists his upper body sharply, so it ends up at 90° to his legs.
  • He reaches out his arms and places the ball back as far as he can. This gets the ball away from any defenders and back towards his own scrum half (9).
  • The tackled player can keep a hand on the ball to stabilise it and stop any of his own team kicking it by accident.

Jack knife position is helpful for ball carrier to keep ball when tackled.

I find it helpful to get the players to think they are "pushing" the ball back towards their team. This can help them turn their bodies even more.

Jack knife drill

  • Without a ball, line up your players on the try line, spaced about three metres apart.
  • Get them to jog out towards you, with their hands clasped together.
  • When you shout "TACKLE" they have to fall to the ground, still clasping their hands and "jack-knifing" towards the try line.
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