Bounce out tacklers

by Dan Cottrell in Defence, Rugby drills, Tackling

Help the second defender at the tackle situation choose whether to make a difference at the tackle or leave it alone to be ready for the next tackle.

Defenders need to trust their team mates to make a tackle. They should only step in if they feel the tackler is beaten or they can create a double tackle that will create a chance for slow ball or a turnover. Any other effort is a waste.

Put two attackers and a feeder (9) at one corner of the box, facing two defenders.
Put another two attackers in the middle, facing another defender.
Have the attackers run into the box and aim to beat the two defenders coming forward.

If they score, then restart the exercise again.

If the ball carrier is tackled, then the other attacker goes over the ball and the feeder (9) passes the ball to the attackers in the next box.
The defenders aim to stop the next attack crossing the gain line (going beyond where the last ruck finished).
Develop by allowing the first pair of defenders to try to steal the ball.

TECHNIQUE

One defender must aim for the ball carrier and the other must trust him – communicate who is covering who.
Only double up if you can drive the ball carrier back. Bounce out of the tackle into the next box quickly.

Share this: Share

Five ways to improve goal setting with your players

in Rugby drills

Understanding and setting goals are powerful ways for your players to improve their performance. Following on from the SMART principles, here are five ways. MORE

Counter attack Ts and Cs

in Attack, Rugby drills, Small-sided games

Improve your players’ understanding of their roles to make sure you can retrieve kicks and attack space when in possession. Play with your Terms and Conditions, not the kicking teams’. When a team kicks into space, the defending team needs to communicate and fan out so it can run back at spaces. MORE

Get the ball to the wing – quick!

in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills

Exploit the space on the outside for your wingers by using effective passing and fixing defenders. Give your speedsters enough room to run in that space. If you have a quick winger, then you need to hold up the midfield defence and allow that player time and space to attack. MORE

Long pass plays – timing and running lines

in Passing & Handling, Rugby drills

Make sure your long passer engages the defence and delivers the pass in front of the receiver. Develop the receivers’ timing so you can create more space using these plays. Make long pass plays crisp to stop defenders drifting with the pass. MORE

In tough times, how rugby training keeps us going

in Email Newsletters, Rugby drills

I've just watched a brilliant, energetic colts sessions. The players loved their own company and the coaches acted as their safety net. They made sure they had the right breaks and sanitised. Of course, everyone wants to be back playing matches, but this is the next best thing. Here are some ideas to give your training sessions some different ideas so there is variety, learning and a sense of purpose. It is particularly important to retain that direction because it helps bind the players and coaches together. It doesn't have to be too formal. However, motivation comes from learning so some sense of progression is important. MORE

Evasion skills warm-ups and games

in Email Newsletters, Footwork and evasion, Rugby drills, Warm Ups

Evasion is a fundamental movement skill. Players use in pretty much all their activities, without necessarily focusing on the specific skills they need. Without becoming too bogged down in the technical requirements, you want to improve your players starting and stopping, balance, change of direction and acceleration. With that comes an awareness of space, time, teammates, the opposition and the ball. MORE